Qazvin

Qazvin was an ancient capital in the Persian Empire and now is known as the calligraphy capital of Iran. The most famous calligrapher was Mir Emad Qazvini. Dehkhoda who wrote the Persian dictionary (you can find his statue in Azadi Square. The most famous poet was Ubayd Zakani.

Qazvin can perhaps be said to be a moderate city, in relation to its adherence to Islamic religious and cultural values. Many people, women in particular, dress modestly but are not limited to the a black hejab, and many women can be seen wearing thin, brightly coloured scarves to cover their hair. However, many women wear an enveloping headdress, designed to completely cover all hair. It is advised to dress respectfully in this context, by all means express yourself through a nature of hejab materials and colours, but be mindful of social and religious values at play.

From Qazvin you can do a day trip to the mountains of Alborz. Most visitors go here to see the remains of Hasan-e-Sabah's castle Alamut, from where he ruled the assassins order, a medieval terrorist organisation. The English words "assassin" and "hashish" are both derived from Hasan's name. The Mongols took Alamut and broke the power of the assassins but failed to completely wipe them out. The castle was reconstructed around 2013 in a way that may seem a bit dubious from an archeological point of view.

• 🌍 Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai. Built during the Qajar era, this is one of the preserved urban caravanserais in Iran. (updated Dec 2019)
• 🌍 Tomb of Hamdallah Mustawfi. 14th century mausoleum. (updated May 2022)
• Qajar Hamam
• The Grand Hotel - The first modern hotel built in Iran
• The first modern school built in Iran
• The first street built in Iran (Sepah)
• The first Municipality built in Iran

Qazvin contains three buildings built by Russians in the late 19th-early 20th century. Among these is the current Mayor's office (former Ballet Hall), a water reservoir, and the Cantor church, where a Russian pilot is buried.

• The Russian Church of Qazvin.

Qazvin contains several archeological excavations dating back 9000 years. There are also 23 castles from the Ismaili Assassins nearby as well. And in the middle of the city lie the ruins of Meimoon Ghal'eh, one of several Sassanid edifices in the area.

Qazvin contains few buildings from the Safavid era, when it was capital of Persia. Perhaps the most famous of the surviving edifices is the Ali Qapu mansion, today a museum in central Qazvin.

Wander in the bazaars.

Have a break at Negarossaltaneh Café located at Rasteh Vazeer, Sad-o-saltaneh complex.

Visiting famous parks

• Mashahir in Shahrdai Street
• Barajin (Fadak) (10 km from Qazvin)
• Melat
• Afarinesh
• Varchor Waterfall in Razjerd (25 km from Qazvin)

Visit

• Qazvin Museum
• Kantour Church
• Hammam Qajar
• Aminiha Hosseiniyeh
• Imamzade Hossein
• Nabi Mosque
• Jame Mosque
• Sepah Street (first street of Iran)
• Chehel Sotoun
• alamut (hike, trek)

Paragliding in blue sky flight site in Shafi Abad & Barajin Road, near to Fadak Park (ask a local agent like Irantaste.)

Watching Iranian movies in Bahman Cinema in front of Melat Park (the ticket costs about US$2).

Swimming in Ovan Lake (2 hours by car from Qazvin).

Try to learn Persian, and use it while in Iran. Iranians are noted for their hospitality, and would greatly appreciate a tourist's attempts to communicate via Persian. Qazvin is an historical city, try and broaden your historical knowledge by sampling the historical sites.

• 🌍 Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU). 
• 🌍 Qazvin Islamic Azad University. One branch of a nationwide university. 

Take a visit to the bazaar of Qazvin. It is huge and you will be able to find all sorts on display. Jewellery in Iran is of high quality, and cheap by Western standards. The same can be said for electronical goods, which arrive in Iran via Japan, sometimes before the products can be bought in Europe and America.

Food in Iran is a delicacy, and is made up of a whole range of Middle Eastern influences. Do eat chelo kebab in one of the many restaurants in Qazvin. This meal is pretty much a standard dish in Iran, however Qazvin does have its own regional variations on the dish. The famous Qazvinian food is called "Gheime Nesar". Try to sample as many different foods as possible while in Qazvin, the diversity of flavors and influences makes for delicious food. Restaurants are usually very hospitable, so asking for a variation in the dish, or asking for vegetarian options or about food allergies will not be a problem.

International health agencies advise drinking bottled water in Iran. This is cheap and therefore not a concern. Alcohol is not tolerated (except for non-Muslims and non-Muslim religious practices). In Iran, if any Muslim is caught partaking in or producing alcohol it is illegal and punishments can be very severe.

There are hotels scattered all over the city, it might not be very difficult for you to find a hotel in the Qazvin Area.

• Qazvin Safir Hotel. 1-min walk to bazaar, clean, breakfast UD$40 for double room. (updated Jun 2017)
• Alborz. Recommendable, clean and nice staff. Not so easy to spot from the street, located in 1st floor and above. 2,000,000 rials for a single room (Sept 2015). (updated Jun 2017)
• Merkezi. Showers are okay. Near the bazaar. Economic choice. Rooms smell of cigarettes. Linens clean, but blanket not. 1 080,000 rials (Dec 2019). (updated Jun 2017)
• Bouali guesthouse (Bouali -Saadi junction), ☏ +98 9192815442. near bazaar, clean 450,000 rials. (updated Jun 2017)
• Mir Emad Hotel, ☏ +98 283 3560594, +98 283 3560610. No single room is available. Clean and helpful staff. The receptionists in the morning and evening speak proper English. 10 minutes drive south-west of Azadi Sq.on Asad Abadi Blvd. US$35 for a double room. (updated Jun 2017)
• Eagles House in alamut (alamut homestay). (updated Jul 2017)

In need of help or advice, contact your national embassy, located in the capital city (Tehran) or you can find tourist information centers in Qazvin, and for Police you can call 110.

Iran is generally a safe country. It is advised however, that being an obvious tourist may attract some unwanted attention from interested Iranians, but do not be alarmed or react negatively. Standard advice to keep your bag secured and safe, and to leave personal and valuable belongings in your hotel room or hotel safe should be regarded. Iranians are generally peaceful, hospitable people, but it is advised to act with caution when walk in the streets alone late at night or when approached by strangers to the same degree that you would in your native country.

Qazvin is in a modest and mountainous region and the weather in summer is slightly cooler than Tehran. The temperature in summer does not go higher than 35 °C. However, the best time is in the spring and fall, when the climate is warm and breezy.

Apart from Alamut, a day trip to Alborz has a lot of impressive landscapes to offer along with some other castles from Hasan's time.