There are many things to do in Tehran, the capital of Iran, from its high towers to the royal palaces left over from previous historical periods. Meanwhile, Tehran’s parks should not be neglected. These parks are excellent for experiencing relaxation, walking, and breathing clean air. They also boast spectacular features, and it is a pity not to visit them on your trip to Tehran. In the continuation of this post from OverIran tourism magazine, stay with us to be introduced to these parks.
1. Artists Park (Honarmandan Park)
Artists Park, also known as Iranshahr Park, dates back to the Qajar era. Originally part of a prince’s estate, the park became the property of Tehran Municipality in 1375 and was designed in its current form. Located in the center of Tehran on Iranshahr Street, it is renowned as one of the best parks in the city.
Iran Artists’ House and Iranshahr Auditorium are also situated in this park, creating a cultural and artistic environment. Due to this, it is often referred to as Art or Artists’ Park. The Artists’ House contains various halls and galleries and serves as the secretariat for Iranian art guilds.
The park hosts diverse artistic events, including theater performances and music, making it a popular hangout for artists in Tehran. Its additional features include green spaces, sports equipment, a football field, a handball field, a basketball court, and coffee shops.
2. Student Park
This park is one of the best parks in Tehran with contemporary cultural uses, is worth mentioning. Formerly known as Bostan Pahlavi before the revolution, it is situated near the City Theater Complex. The park is bordered by Elkhebal St. to the north, Vali Asr St. to the west, and Razi St. to the east. Covering an area of more than three thousand square meters, it features a city theater, a student library, a children’s playground, restrooms, and a cafeteria.
The park’s strategic location, surrounded by the City Theater Complex, the valiasr religious cultural complex to the southwest, and its proximity to Vahdat Hall, Tehran, and Amir Kabir Universities of Technology, has transformed it into a popular hangout for students and artists. Additionally, the Fajr Theater Street Festival is held in this park annually.
3. Mellat park (Nation Park)
Undoubtedly, one of the most memorable parks in Tehran is Mellat park, renowned as one of the best parks in the city. Mellat Park, situated next to the Mellat Gallery campus, has taken on a cultural and artistic ambiance in recent times. Additionally, the park features statues of prominent Iranian figures, highlighting its cultural significance.
Mellat Park stands as one of the largest parks in Tehran, covering an area of 34 hectares. It encompasses a small zoo, mature trees, a water feature, a lake, a 4D cinema, and various sports facilities such as table tennis, chess, a volleyball court, a badminton court, and more.
The park’s nostalgic atmosphere, coupled with its sports and cultural amenities, has made it a popular destination among families and young people in Tehran. It’s noteworthy that Mellat Park is the first park that residents of Tehran recommend to their non-Tehran guests for a visit.
4. Chitgar Park
Chitgar Park is renowned as one of the best parks in Tehran, attracting many visitors for picnics and cycling during holidays. It’s interesting to note that the primary purpose of constructing this forest park, located at the beginning of the path of the west wind blowing into Tehran city, was to enhance the oxygen levels in Tehran’s air. Spanning over 900 hectares, this park boasts a variety of species, including acacia, sparrow’s tongue, fringed elm, purple, dagdaghan, and ornamental maple.
The park’s major attraction lies in its dedicated tracks for cycling and skating, making it a popular hangout for the youth of Tehran. Furthermore, the presence of a horse riding and paintball club, along with its proximity to Chitgar Lake (or the Persian Gulf), restaurants, and Chitgar Waterfall, has elevated it to one of the most significant recreational parks in Tehran.
5. Jamshidieh Park
It’s interesting to note that, according to surveys, this park is the second most popular park for tourists after Mellat Park.
Jamshidieh Park is a forest park in Tehran and stands as one of the most beautiful and oldest parks in the city, situated in the northern part. Being located in the northern part of the capital, this park adopts the colors of winter and autumn earlier than other parks, adding to its appeal as one of Tehran’s attractive destinations.
Among the trees of this park, visitors can enjoy beautiful ponds, an artificial waterfall, a lake, various sculptures, and many other sights. Jamshidieh Park spans over 10 hectares and features a paved path, making it an appealing destination for hiking and mountain climbing enthusiasts.
6. City Park
Tehran City Park is undoubtedly one of the oldest and best parks in Tehran, situated in the central part of the city. As the first park in Tehran, its significant age, diverse plant species, and the availability of a rich library have contributed to its fame and popularity. It’s interesting to note that this park is one of the few in Tehran optimized for the disabled.
The presence of the Peace Museum, Bird Garden, artificial lake, and aquarium in this park has established it as an entertainment destination for enthusiasts. The aquarium’s location, situated underground, served as a shelter for Tehrani citizens during the war and was later transformed into an aquarium after the war’s conclusion. Additional facilities of this park include children’s play equipment, a bird-watching site, and a cycling path.
7. Water and Fire Park
Water and Fire Park is one of Tehran’s conceptual and modern parks with various attractions. Undoubtedly known as one of the best parks in the city, it features water and fire fountains, a lighthouse, the Mina Dome skyline, an amphitheater, several food courts, and more. However, its most significant attraction is the natural bridge, which has become a popular spot for walking and photography due to its extraordinary design. Interestingly, the Nature Bridge is one of the symbols of Tehran city.
Water and Fire Park, also known as Ebrahim Park, stands as one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in Tehran. Built on a 24,000-square-meter area in the lands of Abbas Abad, Tehran, this park comprises several sections offering a wide variety of entertainment and facilities. Additionally, Tehran’s best skating rink is situated in this park, making it popular for sports and friendly outings.
8. Sorkheh-hesar National Park
Sorkheh-hesar National Park is located in the east of Tehran and was once considered a royal hunting ground. This park stands as one of the oldest protected areas globally, housing a variety of wildlife and plant species. The climate in this region is semi-arid, with a significant temperature difference between day and night. It’s noteworthy that this park comprises rare natural ecosystems and serves as a perfect example of the ecological climatic conditions in the Tehran region. Various tourist tours are organized in Sarkhehsar National Park.