Best Time to Visit Iran
Late March to May and late September to November — spring and autumn avoid both Tehran's winter cold and the desert cities' extreme summer heat
Quick Answer
Best Overall
Late March to May and late September to November — spring and autumn avoid both Tehran's winter cold and the desert cities' extreme summer heat
Peak Season
April, October (Nowruz Persian New Year in late March/early April is a notably busy domestic travel period)
Shoulder Season
March, May, September, November
Cheapest Period
December–February (Tehran cold) and June–August (desert-city extreme heat)
Weather Varies By Region
Iran is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Tehran & the north
Apr–May, Sep–OctA genuine four-season climate — cold winters (highs near freezing in January) and very hot, dry summers (highs regularly above 35°C in July-August).
Isfahan & Shiraz (semi-desert cities)
Mar–May, Sep–NovSlightly milder summer highs than Tehran but still genuinely hot; spring and autumn are considerably more comfortable for exploring Persepolis, Isfahan's Imam Square and other exposed historic sites.
Yazd & the central desert (Kerman)
Mar–May, Oct–NovTrue desert cities with extreme summer heat (Yazd regularly exceeds 39°C in July) and sharp day-to-night temperature swings; spring and autumn are essential for comfortable sightseeing here.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Tehran (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 47°F | 1°C / 34°F | 32mm | Low |
| February | 11°C / 52°F | 3°C / 37°F | 33mm | Low |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | 42mm | Shoulder |
| April | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 35mm | Peak |
| May | 28°C / 83°F | 18°C / 64°F | 14mm | Shoulder |
| June | 34°C / 94°F | 23°C / 73°F | 2mm | Low |
| July | 37°C / 98°F | 25°C / 77°F | 2mm | Low |
| August | 36°C / 96°F | 25°C / 76°F | 1mm | Low |
| September | 32°C / 89°F | 21°C / 69°F | 1mm | Shoulder |
| October | 25°C / 76°F | 15°C / 59°F | 14mm | Peak |
| November | 16°C / 60°F | 8°C / 46°F | 31mm | Shoulder |
| December | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 38°F | 32mm | Low |
Season-by-Season Guide
Spring (Mar–May)
Warming nationwide, Tehran mild (16-28°C highs across the season), desert cities still comfortable by April-May
Good For
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Very hot and dry almost everywhere (Tehran 34-37°C highs, Yazd regularly above 39°C), essentially no rain
Good For
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Cooling from Tehran's hot September (32°C) to a mild November (16°C), desert cities becoming comfortable again
Good For
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold in Tehran and the north (highs near freezing, occasional snow), milder but still cool in the south
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Persepolis, Isfahan & Shiraz
March–May, September–NovemberAvoids both Tehran's winter cold and the punishing summer heat that affects these historic, largely outdoor sites.
Yazd & the desert cities
March–May, October–NovemberGenuine desert heat in summer (regularly above 39°C in Yazd) makes spring and autumn essential here specifically.
Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Late March–early AprilIran's biggest holiday and a major cultural experience, though it also brings the year's heaviest domestic travel demand.
Skiing near Tehran
December–MarchThe Alborz Mountains north of Tehran have established ski resorts, a genuine winter option most visitors don't associate with Iran.
Cheapest Time to Visit
December through February brings Tehran's lowest prices (genuinely cold weather), while June through August is cheapest in the desert cities (genuinely extreme heat) — the trade-off is real discomfort either way.
Busiest Time to Visit
The week around Nowruz (Persian New Year, typically March 20-21) is Iran's single busiest domestic travel period; April and October are the busiest international-visitor months more broadly.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
Late September and early November offer comfort similar to spring without the Nowruz crowds and price premium, making autumn arguably the single best value window.
How to Get There
Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the main international gateway; Isfahan, Shiraz and Yazd are reached by domestic flights or Iran's extensive rail and bus network.
How Long to Stay
10-14 days covers Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz/Persepolis and Yazd, given the distances between Iran's major historic cities.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Iran?
Late March to May and late September to November — spring and autumn avoid both Tehran's winter cold and the desert cities' extreme summer heat.
Is Iran very hot in summer?
Yes, especially the desert cities — Yazd regularly exceeds 39°C in July, and even Tehran reaches the mid-to-high 30s°C; summer sightseeing is best limited to early morning.
What is Nowruz and does it affect travel?
Nowruz is the Persian New Year, Iran's biggest holiday, typically falling around March 20-21 — it's a major cultural experience but also brings the year's heaviest domestic travel demand and higher prices.
Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.
Sources:Tehran climate normals — Climates to Travel,Regional desert-city temperature comparison — Incredible Iran