Mashhad
Iran
- Safety rating
- 6/10
- Best time to visit
- April–May and September–October offer mild weather, while the shrine is busiest during religious holidays.
- Population
- 3.3M
Overview
Mashhad is Iran's holiest city and second largest, drawing millions of Shia pilgrims to the vast, golden-domed shrine of Imam Reza. Beyond the spiritual heart lies a busy commercial city and a gateway to the mountains and saffron fields of Khorasan.
Top attractions
The Imam Reza Shrine complex dominates, along with the Nadir Shah Mausoleum and nearby excursions to Tus and Kang village.
Getting around
The city has a useful metro, plentiful buses, and cheap taxis or Snapp rides, with the shrine complex pedestrianized.