Esfahan holidays in Iran

Naghsh-e Jahan Square

A vast space stuffed full of architectural wonders and centered around a series of gardens and elegant fountains, this is one of the largest squares in the world, at 512m long and 163m wide. Designed in the 17th century under the supervision of Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas the Great, it was built to demonstrate Esfahan’s might and cultural superiority at a time when the city reigned as the capital of the Persian Empire. It contains some of the country’s finest buildings, including the unparalleled Shah Mosque. The square is pedestrianised, so the only transport to disturb you is that of horse-drawn carriages, bicycles and the odd electric cart, leaving you free to soak up the square’s atmosphere – most magical at sunset when the minarets and domes are lit up by the dying sun.

Jameh Mosque

Located to the north of the Grand Bazaar, and dating back to the 8th Century, Jameh has undergone several remodels over the years, and showcases the best of Islamic architecture and design from the Seljuks to the Safavids – all delicate glazed mosaics, finely carved columns, and geometric perfection. Still functioning as a place of worship, this is the biggest mosque in Iran and it’s crowned by two Seljuk brick domes which have survived intact from the 11th century.