Khoresht Beh Aloo (Quince and Plum Stew)

Everything about this dish comes from the magnificent aroma of Beh (the Persian word for quince). It is a fruit-based yazdi stew made of fragrant quince sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses, onion, Saffron, turmeric, tomato paste, prunes and chuck.

Shuli

One question that all Yazdis are sure to ask you when you visit their city is: “Have you tried shuli?

It is a kind of vegan friendly persian soup (aush) that is so popular in city of yazd. It is made by compound of some greens like leeks, turnips, lentils, spinach, parsley, fenugreek, celery, vinegar, onion and spices. To boost the flavor Pomegranate paste is added.

Tās kebab-e shotor

Who want to try local cuisine, tâs kebab-e shotor [camel meat stew with potatoes] is a local specialty. Camel meat is considered to be a “warm” food (and kind of Iranian stew), so it’s popular in the winter and eaten with bread.

Pumpkin Stew (Ghalieh Kadoo)

Pumpkin Stew is a popular traditional food of Yazd which is so nutritious (full of vitamin E and C) and so useful to cure cold and flu. The ingredients include pumpkin, mung bean, red beans, oil, stewing meat, onions, walnuts, coconut powder and seasonings especially cinnamon and sugar.

Gheimeh Yazdi

Another scrumptious dishes of Yazd is gheimeh yazdi. Gheimeh refers to minced meat and yazdi means it's from Yazd. It is a kind of stew made of chickpeas with a different taste from the ordinary Gheimeh that is served all over Iran. People of Yazd prepare their especial traditional Gheimeh using lamb, chickpeas, tomato paste, saffron, dried lime, onions and seasonings especially cinnamon.

Koofteh Lappe (split peas meatballs)

Koofteh lappe is another popular traditional cuisine of Yazd which has unforgettable taste and it is quite different from other Iranian Kooftehs. To make Koofteh lappe, you need split peas, minced lamb, barberry, raw and cooked eggs, fried onion, tomato paste, and seasonings.

Gippa (Gyro)

Gippa or Gyro is one of the traditional foods which is also cooked in the other central cities of Iran. To prepare this meal, you need to cook rice, split peas, lentils, sour cherry powder or barberry and onion which are poured into a cleaned water and cooked in a boiling water.

Welcome to the city of wind catchers. If you are fed up with modern and stressful lifestyle visit historic city of Yazd as a first adobe city and the second historic cities of the world.

Dowlat abad Garden

The  dowlatabad garden can be said to capture the quintessence of the persian garden.This walled complex built in the 18th century which has the tallest adobe wind catcher (about 33 meters) in the world. It also contains a very long pool which running through the tall pine and cypress trees, an octagonal mansion with its adorable stained-glass windows, fountains and etc.

Tower of silence (dakhma)

Another fascinating Zoroastrian site, the ominous-sounding Towers of Silence are located just outside the city and certainly worth a visit.It is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation – that is, for dead bodies to be exposed to carrion birds, usually vultures.

 Chak Chak, Yazd (Drip Drip)

Out in the desert, about 70 kilometers from Yazd, is Iran’s most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site, Chak Chak. A tiny cliff-side village, according to legend the rock face opened up and offered refuge to Nikbanu, the daughter of the last pre-Islamic ruler, from the encroaching Arab invaders. The temple of Chak Chak has notable feature, it includes the ever-dripping spring located at the mountain, said to be the mountain weeping in remembrance of Princess Nikbanu.

Saryazd Fortress

Under-appreciated as a tourist destination, the fortress ruins in the nearby village of Saryazd merit the 45 minute trip from Yazd. The Sasanian Empire defensive structure, which is double-walled and three-storeyed in parts, is remarkably well preserved. Developed by the Safavid dynasty, the fortress is crumbling in some areas, nevertheless, after a couple of hours here, it’s not hard to see why Yazd has been so historically unconquerable. You will need to find the caretaker to unlock the entrance.

 Kharanaq Village

No day trip around Yazd province is complete without an excursion to the centuries-old village of Kharanaq. Reportedly inhabited for over 1000 years, the mud brick village is practically deserted these days, but you’ll see a few farmers still pottering around. Indescribably picturesque, visitors are free to explore the abandoned remains; highlights include a Qajar dynasty mosque and an ancient aqueduct in the valley below.

Amirchakhmagh complex

It is a perfect collection of Iranian structures. You could visit mosque, caravansary, water well, tekyeh and bathroom simultaneously in one place. If you are a night owl walk around at night, all arched alcoves and niches are illuminated at night which presents a new image of Amirchakhmagh complex.

 Saheb al zaman zurkhaneh (house of strength)

This popular Zurkhaneh (House of Strength) resides in a historic building is located on the northern side of Amir Chakhmaq Square. You could observe practitioners of this curious dancing-cum-weightlifting activity that is steeped in Shia Islam mysticism. The practitioners of this ancient sport are expected to display chivalrous values and embrace high integrity.

Fire temple (Zoroastrian Atashkadeh)

Fire as a main feature and symbol of truth and light is worshiped by Zoroastrians. In this temple an ever-burning fire situated in the center of temple. The ancient flame has been burning from 1500 years ago.

In the morning discover the old city which has numerous mud brick buildings and winding lanes that stretch all over the city. You will find the Dowlat Abad Garden which has the tallest Wind catcher (badgir), the surrounding garden gives an insight into traditional Persian gardens with its use of symmetrical design. There is also a coffee shop here for your morning caffeine boost. After that you could have a break in Baharestan restaurant which has a relaxing vibe and delicious foods. After enjoying lunch, visiting Zoroastrian fire temple is highly recommended then enjoy the spectacle old gym rituals at Saheb al Zaman Zurkhaneh (Zurkhaneh means house of strength). It’s a site from 1580, and it boasts five wind towers, but it is the atmosphere inside that you will remember. Afterward, nip to the Amir Chakhmaq complex which is much beautiful and luminous at night.

 Yazd weather

Yazd has a warm desert climate characterized by large differences in temperatures and very low precipitation figures. Winters are cold; subzero temperatures during the night are not uncommon. Summers are hot with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the hottest part of the day. During the night temperatures are around 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit). Because hardly any rain falls humidity figures are low.

The warmest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 39°C (102°F).

The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 12°C (53°F).

September is the wet month.

Yazd souvenirs are artisanal handicrafts and made with lots of love.

including carpets  with  charming  patterns; pile less carpets, termeh (a kind of cashmere or brocade and handwoven cloth), brocaded  silk, velvet, pottery, copper, blankets, engraving, glassware and  leather ware. Bring back these memorable and valuable handicrafts to your country as a special gift for every single person you love.

When you think of Yazd, sweets immediately comes to your mind, it is famous for its various sweets, the most renowned are  Pashmak (cotton candy), Baqlava ( rich, sweet pastry made of  layers of  filo filled with chopped nuts) and  Qotab (an almond-filled deep-fried Yazd pastry) as well as Yazdi cupcakes.

Haj Khalifeh (the most famous confectionary in Yazd) where you can try all these delicious sweets. Try these sweets with Yazdi black tea or herbal tea. Borage tea (Golgâvzabun) and chamomile ( bâbuneh) are the best choices.

Modern Shopping Centers in Yazd

Setareh Yazd Shopping Center

Aria Shopping Mall

Sadaf Mall

Shaqhayegh Shopping Mall

Yazd art house

Silk road gallery

Oasis gallery

Ancient Bazaars in Yazd

Khan bazaar

Khan bazaar is one of the largest traditional bazaars of Yazd which is a part of khan complex (including square, bath and bazaar)

This bazaar is combination of some smaller bazaars :Zargari (Goldsmith), Panjeh Ali, Qeisariyeh, Alaqebandi, tile working, chintz making, Mullah Ismael, Afshar, Hadji Qanbar, Mohammad Ali Khan, Jafar Khan, Sadri, Darvazeh Mehreez, copper smith and Nokhod Berizi Bazaar.

Gold bazar (Yazd gold bazaar is a small section)

Of the famous Khan bazaar in Yazd, also the most important part of it and probably a favorite spot among local women. The gold in Yazd is valuable and handmade. You’d notice that it also tends to be extra yellowish.

Yazd celebrities

Vahshi Bafqi

Kamal al-din or Shams al-Din Mohammad, known by his pen name Vahshi Bafqi (born 1532 & died 1583) was a Persian poet of the Safavid dynasty. Vahshi was born in the agricultural town of Bafq, southeast of the city of Yazd.

His "Farhad and Shirin ",a Persian folklore and romantic story of Iran Sasanian empire is written in the meter of the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi's romantic epic poetry Shirin and Farhad. Although the work was left unfinished at the time of Vahshi's death, with the introduction and barely 500 verses of the story completed, it has been recognized as one of the poets’ most famous masterpieces.

 Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi

Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi (1889 – October 18, 1939) was an Iranian poet, journalist and senior politician of the Reza Pahlavi era.

Mohammad-Ali Eslami Nodooshan

Mohammad Ali Eslami Nodooshan (born 1925) is an Iranian literary critic, translator and poet, and one of the most celebrated contemporary writers on culture and literature in Iran.

Mehdi Azar-Yazdi

Medi Azar-yazdi (18 March 1922–9 July 2009) was an Iranian children's author. He started his career in 1956. His books are adaptations of works of the Classical Persian literature re-written for children in an easy-to-understand style. His most notable book was the award-winning Good Stories for Good Children.

 Mohammad khatami

Dr. Sayyid Mohammad Khatami (born 14 October 1943) served as the fifth President of Iran from 3 August 1997 to 3 August 2005. He also served as Iran's Minister of Culture from 1982 to 1992.