Tehran, as a metropolis, has many tourist, historical, and natural attractions that attract the attention of both domestic and international tourists. Among these attractions, museums can be mentioned. The best museums in Tehran provide a suitable space to immerse yourself in the grandeur of Iran’s history and escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Tehran’s museums are considered magical and fascinating places that attract the attention and interest of tourists worldwide. Fortunately, in this city, there are multiple museums with diverse themes. So, whatever field you’re interested in, whether history and art or science and sports, you can visit the relevant museum and gain much information. In this section of Kental Travel magazine, we want to introduce you to 10 of the best museums in Tehran that you shouldn’t miss.
List of Must-Visit Museums in Tehran
Museums connect people and the past and everything within them represents past generations’ history, culture, customs, and traditions. Tehran, the capital of Iran, boasts a wealth of captivating museums. This article aims to acquaint you with these magnificent palaces and the best museums in Tehran.
National Museum of Iran
The National Museum of Iran is one of Tehran and Iran’s most prominent and critical historical museums. Designed by André Godard, a French architect, the National Museum of Iran is inspired by the Taq Kasra. The National Museum of Iran has two separate buildings. The Ancient Iran Museum, which dates back to 1316, showcases artifacts from the pre-Islamic era, ranging from ancient prehistoric relics to the pre-Islamic period. The Islamic Era Museum dates back to 1375 and focuses on archaeological artifacts and art from the Islamic period in Iran. Most archaeological findings from the Paleolithic era to the Islamic period are preserved in this museum. The National Museum allows you to have a different perspective on the historical dimensions of Iran. It is located next to the Golestan Palace and the Grand Bazaar of Tehran. It’s one of the Attractive Tehran Museums.
See More: List of Top 10 Museums in Iran
Golestan Palace
Golestan Palace is one of the historical sites in Tehran, and its beauty, grandeur, and historical value have attracted tourists from all over Iran and the world. The current structure, known as the Golestan Palace Museum, is a 440-year-old masterpiece of Safavid architecture. The extraordinary and unique architecture on one side and the significant events that have taken place in this palace throughout history on the other side have made this building important. The different sections of Golestan Palace include the Salam Hall, Marble Throne Veranda, Mirror Hall, Shamsolemareh Building, Karimkhani Nook, Special Palace, Diamond Hall, Berlian Hall, Ethnographic Museum, and more, each of which houses exquisite artworks and is worth visiting.
Treasury of National Jewels
The National Jewelry Museum is one of the best museums in Tehran and Tehran’s most attractive tourist destinations, preserving a precious collection of royal jewels known as the National Treasury. The unique and valuable treasures in the National Jewelry Museum represent the history and art of past eras in this land. The origin of these valuable jewels displayed in the museum dates back to the Safavid era when Safavid rulers, with the help of government experts, began collecting precious gems and jewelry from around the world. Some of these jewels are so valuable and important that they cannot be priced, and these jewels also serve as a national asset for Iran.
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the best museums in Tehran that has been around since 1977. It consists of a remarkable collection of artworks in various styles, such as minimalism, pop art, and abstract art. These styles often demand more time and comprehension than other art styles. The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Tehran’s most valuable and important museums, divided into 9 separate galleries. The works of prominent Iranian artists such as Aidin Aghdashloo, Sadegh Tabrizi, Sohrab Sepehri, and others are showcased in six galleries. The remaining three galleries feature artworks by foreign artists worldwide, including Andy Warhol, Picasso, and more.
Reza Abbasi Museum
Another important and famous museum in Tehran is the Reza Abbasi Museum, considered one of Tehran’s most unique tourist attractions. The Reza Abbasi Museum has gained fame as a small ancient museum of Iran. It possesses valuable artifacts—this museum dates from the second millennium BC to the end of the Qajar period. In the best museum in Tehran, Reza Abbasi Museum, you can easily become familiar with the evolution of Iran’s art, civilization, and culture. The museum has four floors, displaying its precious objects in three halls.
Saadabad Cultural and Historical Complex
Saadabad Cultural and Historical Complex is famous for Saadabad Palace and Saadabad Museum, which is why it is also called Saadabad Palace Museum. This palace is a great artistic legacy from the Qajar and Pahlavi eras for Iran. It is fascinating and worth visiting for Iranians, people, and tourists worldwide. The Saadabad Complex covers an area of approximately 110 hectares and includes 18 small and large palaces built during the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. The main palace of the complex is the private palace built by Reza Shah, and then other palaces were added to the complex. The last palace added to this complex was Leila Palace, the youngest daughter of Mohammad Reza Shah.
Niavaran Palace
Niavaran Palace, like Saadabad Palace, is a royal complex that has survived the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. Originally used as a summer residence for the Qajar Shahs during the reign of the second Pahlavi, some of the smaller structures in this garden were demolished, and Niavaran Palace was built in a modern style for his residence and his family. The notable attractions of Niavaran Palace include Sahabqaranieh Palace, the Special Palace, the Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, the World Museum, the Royal Library, the Royal Car Museum, and the Garden of Inscriptions.
Time Museum
One of the best museums in Tehran is the Time Museum. It is a blue-colored building with plasterwork in the middle of a garden where you can explore the historical measurement of time. In this Qajar-era building, which was once the house of Hossein Khadadad, you can see an exciting collection of clocks and time-measuring instruments and witness a unique display of Iranian art and architecture. This museum will familiarise you with old Iranian and foreign clocks from France, Switzerland, England, and Germany. You will see works such as the shift guard clock, ship clock, and wristwatches in various bracelet styles and dual-time displays. You will also glimpse clock repair tools and pass by a remarkable Qajar architectural building.
Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran
The Glassware and Ceramic Museum, located on 30 Tir Street, is a collection of glassware and ceramics from the Qajar period. This valuable and fascinating collection is located on one of Tehran’s oldest streets, known as a tourist and sightseeing attraction. The Glassware and Ceramic Museum is considered one of the best and most visited museums in Tehran. Qavam House, which housed the museum from 1921 to 1951, was then occupied by the Egyptian embassy for seven years. Farah Pahlavi purchased this historic building in 1976 to establish the museum. The two-story building consists of five halls. Its architecture combines European and Iranian styles, making it very eye-catching and worth visiting.
Negarestan Garden
One of the serene and charming retreats in Tehran is Negarestan Museum Garden, considered one of the picturesque gardens of the capital. It is located near Baharistan Square and dates back to the Qajar era. This garden has witnessed many bitter and sweet events; hearing about them will be fascinating.
In Negarestan Museum Garden, artistic works of renowned Iranian artists in various fields are exhibited in numerous collections. The Museum of Kamal ol-Molk, Jahangir Arjomand, Mahmoud Ruh al-Amini, Malek al-Shoara Bahar, paintings by Ali Asghar Asfarghani, carpets and silver engravings donated by Gholam Ali Maloul, commemorative paintings by Fathollah Abad, the Tile Room, the Saffron Salam Wall Mural by Fath Ali Shah, the Hafeziyeh Shiraz Memorial, and Ferdowsi’s sarcophagus are among the notable attractions of Negarestan Garden.
FAQs about Best Museums in Tehran
- What is the largest museum in Tehran?
The National Museum of Iran is the largest and most comprehensive collection in Tehran, with over 300,000 exhibited pieces, providing an opportunity to become familiar with the history and culture of Iran.
