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Voykit pocket guide · Iran
Sanandaj
Spend 1–2 days in Sanandaj: see the old bazaar, Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque and Abidar park; travel from Tehran by plane (1 h) or shared taxi (US$30).
Sanandaj, capital of Iran's Kurdistan Province, sits in a fertile Zagros valley. Its market, historic mosques and nearby nature (mountain caves, hot springs, lakes) fit a short stop. Flights from Tehran take about an hour; shared taxis cost around US$30. One full day covers the bazaar, museums and a park; add a second day for mountain hikes or lake trips.
- Country
- Iran
- Best months
- May–October
- Avoid
- December–February (cold, possible snow)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IRR
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IRR 500 000–800 000 excl. bed · Mid IRR 800 000–1 200 000 excl. bed · High IRR 1 200 000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 125
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Kurdish tea with sweets | ≈ IRR 30 000 |
| Meal at a mid‑range restaurant | IRR 200 000–350 000 |
| Taxi within city (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within city (3.1 mi (5 km)) | IRR 150 000–200 000 |
| Entry to Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque | IRR 50 000–100 000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SDG · Sanandaj Airport
- 5 daily flights from Tehran, about 1 h flight
Typical fares
- Tehran → Sanandaj flight
- ≈ IRR 2.5–5 M, 1 h (check airline)
- Shared taxi Tehran → Sanandaj
- ≈ US$30 (≈ IRR 1.2 M)
- Local taxi city centre → Abidar
- ≈ IRR 150 k round trip
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
City centre is walkable; taxis and shared minibuses run frequently. For trips to Abidar or nearby lakes, hire a local taxi (≈ US$15–20 for a round trip).
See and do
Known for
- Old bazaar with Kurdish handicrafts
- Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque
- Sanandaj Museum (royal palace)
- Abidar mountain and park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Abidar Mountain | Local taxi from city centre, about 15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Lake Zarivar (Marivan) | Shared minibus, about 2 h each way | ≈4 h |
Sleep
- Laleh International Hotel
- 5‑star, central, suitable for short stays
- Hotel Kaj
- Budget option near Ferdowsi St.
- Shadi Hotel
- Mid‑range, four‑star, English‑speaking staff
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | سڵاوsalaam |
| Thank you | سوپاسspas |
| How much? | قەدەرە؟qeder e? |
| Where is the bazaar? | بازار كوێیە؟bazar ko ye? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Check flight schedules; winter may see fewer flights.
- Shared taxis from Tehran cost about US$30; confirm price before boarding.
- Some attractions (e.g., Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque) may have limited hours in Ramadan – verify locally.
Sanandaj is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of occasional protests in Kurdish regions and keep valuables secure in crowded bazaars.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sanandaj yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Old bazaar with Kurdish handicrafts
- Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque
- Sanandaj Museum (royal palace)
- Abidar mountain and park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kurdistan Province tourism office: kurdistantourism.ir/en/sanandaj
- Wikivoyage: Sanandaj, revision 5339132 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339132
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sanandaj). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.