Few cities in the Islamic world blend soul and street life like Mashhad. Centered on the dazzling Imam Reza Shrine, this Razavi Khorasan capital is both a pilgrimage destination and a living museum of Persian art, tilework, and hospitality.

Founded around the 9th-century burial place of Imam Reza, Mashhad rose to prominence under the Safavids and remains one of Iran’s most visited cities. Expect grand courtyards, shimmering domes, and some of the country’s best museums curated by Astan Quds Razavi.

Come hungry. Mashhad’s markets are stacked with saffron, barberries, and rock candy, and nearby Torghabeh–Shandiz garden restaurants are synonymous with shishlik (lamb chops). Dress modestly, carry cash (toman/rial), and check local advisories; Fridays and prayer times can affect opening hours.

Mashhad

Mashhad is a city of thresholds: step from the hum of Reza Boulevard into serene courtyards where marble, mirror-work, and calligraphy narrate centuries of devotion. Beyond the shrine, parks, mountains, and valleys frame the city with fresh air and picnic culture.

Top experiences range from the blue-glazed Goharshad Mosque and the Shrine museums to Kooh Sangi’s granite slopes and the artisan-filled Reza Bazaar. Food-wise, Mashhad excels at kebabs, ash (hearty soups), saffron ice cream, and its own comfort classic, Sholeh Mashhadi.

• Must-see sights: Imam Reza Shrine complex, Goharshad Mosque, Astan Quds Razavi Museums, Reza Bazaar, Kooh Sangi Park, Naderi Museum (Tomb of Nader Shah), Mellat Park.
• Classic foods to try: Shishlik (Shandiz-style lamb chops), chelow kabab (with grilled tomatoes and butter), Sholeh Mashhadi, ash-e reshteh, saffron ice cream (bastani sonnati), fereni, and fresh barbari or sangak bread.
• Getting around: Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Snapp, Tapsi) are easiest; Mashhad Metro connects key corridors with stations near the shrine area. Allow extra time around prayer and peak pilgrimage hours.

Where to stay: Browse well-located hotels and apartments on Hotels.com (Mashhad) or find family-sized stays on VRBO (Mashhad). For first-time visitors, look along Imam Reza Blvd for walkability to the shrine, or west toward Vakilabad for greener, quieter nights.

How to get here: Fly into Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport (MHD). From Tehran, flights take ~1h20 and are frequent; intercity trains (including night trains) typically run 9–12 hours.

• Flights: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (domestic and regional routes).
• Trains: For planning reference, see Trip.com Trains; tickets within Iran are often purchased via local agencies or stations.

Day 1: Arrival, Imam Reza Shrine, and Reza Bazaar

Morning: Travel to Mashhad. If you’re coming from Tehran or Shiraz, plan a late-morning flight to arrive after lunch; flights are usually 1–2 hours. Book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and have cash ready for a taxi or Snapp to your hotel (20–45 minutes depending on traffic).

Afternoon: Check in near Imam Reza Blvd for easy walking. For a quick, satisfying lunch before sightseeing, head to Pesaran Karim (a long-loved Mashhadi kebab house known for tender koobideh, joojeh, and buttery rice). Order a mixed plate with grilled tomatoes and doogh (minty yogurt drink) for a classic Persian combo.

Then enter the Imam Reza Shrine complex: begin at the visitor information desk for guidance on where non-Muslim visitors may go (courtyards are generally accessible; inner sanctum is for Muslims only). Take in the brilliant turquoise of the Goharshad Mosque, the calligraphy-framed iwans, and mirror-mosaic porticos glowing as the light turns golden.

If time allows, step into one of the Astan Quds Razavi museums inside the complex to see exquisite Qurans, carpets, and historic gifts—an art history lesson wrapped in devotion.

Evening: Walk the covered lanes of Reza Bazaar, a two-level arcade where you can pick up saffron, barberry, rock candy (nabat), prayer beads, and handmade slippers. For quality saffron, look for reputable brands like Sahar Khiz at authorized stalls, and consider vacuum-sealed threads for freshness.

Dinner choices nearby: - Akbar Joojeh (multiple branches around the city, including along major boulevards) for Iran’s cult-classic roasted chicken with a saffron glaze—crispy skin, juicy meat, served with pickles and rice. - The Atrium Restaurant at the Darvishi Royal Hotel, which locals rate for polished service and a broad Iranian menu—good if you prefer a quieter, more refined setting near the shrine.

Cap the night with saffron ice cream (bastani sonnati) or faloodeh from traditional dessert counters around the bazaar entrances, then enjoy a gentle stroll along Imam Reza Blvd under the neon shop signs and domes.

Day 2: Parks, Nader Shah, and a Shishlik Feast in Torghabeh–Shandiz (Depart in the afternoon)

Morning: Start early at Kooh Sangi Park, where locals walk shaded paths between granite outcrops and lakes. It’s a perfect place to people-watch and nibble on warm sangak bread from nearby bakeries with feta, herbs, and walnuts.

For a sit-down breakfast, hotel buffets are reliable and generous: the spreads at central properties near the shrine typically include omelets, seasonal fruit, saffron rice pudding, and fresh breads. Consider staying where you can enjoy this daily—search options on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Next, visit the Naderi Museum (Tomb of Nader Shah). The angular monument and small museum recount the Afsharid ruler’s campaigns and display arms and artifacts—an engaging counterpoint to Mashhad’s spiritual heart.

Afternoon (pre-departure focus): If your flight or train departs later in the day, squeeze in an early lunch in the cool valleys west of town. Take a 30–45 minute taxi to Torghabeh–Shandiz, a beloved weekend retreat lined with riverside and garden restaurants. This is the homeland of shishlik: thick, marinated lamb chops charcoal-grilled to a blush and served with rice, fresh herbs, and sumac.

Popular, long-running choices locals recommend include: - Pesaran Karim (Torghabeh/Shandiz area branch) for consistently juicy grills and quick service when you’re watching the clock. - Classic garden restaurants in Shandiz specializing in shishlik; ask your driver for a reputable spot with shaded courtyards and streamside platforms—these venues are part meal, part atmosphere, with samovars steaming and families picnicking.

If you’re short on time or staying central, consider a swift lunch near the shrine at Akbar Joojeh or a kebab platter at a well-rated hotel restaurant before departing. Allow ample time to return to the airport or station; traffic can thicken around prayer times and school let-out.

Evening: Most travelers will be en route this evening. If you have extra hours, wander Mellat Park for a last paseo among cottonwoods and, in season, rides at the amusement park. Pick up any final saffron or barberries you skipped yesterday, and keep a small stash of rock candy for the journey home.

Departure logistics: For flights, check schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re taking the night train toward Tehran or the Caspian, budget extra time for ticket checks and boarding; for planning reference see Trip.com Trains.

Insider tips: In everyday conversation and at shops, prices are often quoted in toman (one zero dropped from the rial). Dress modestly at all times, and be especially mindful within and around the shrine. Foreign bank cards don’t work; bring cash or arrange for an Iranian debit card via your host.

This two-day Mashhad itinerary balances reverence and relaxation, guiding you from brilliant courtyards to granite hills and garden restaurants. With saffron in your bag and shishlik on your palate, you’ll leave with flavors and images that linger long after the flight home.