Tehran Museum Guide: All You Need to Know (Part 1)

Tehran is Iran’s city of museums. You can spend a couple of good days visiting museums showcasing wide range of objects from ancient golden crowns to priceless old Persian rugs, iconic jewelry such as the sea of light diamond and beautiful calligraphies.

Tehran museums celebrate and interpret Iranian culture and civilization, educate the public about nation’s distinctive character, especially its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation.

If you plan to visit Tehran and its museums are on your list of places to see, this factbook is where you should start. Here you will find essential information about Tehran museums including ticket prices, addresses, locations, working days and opening hours all in one place.

Note: this part includes following museums: Reza Abbasi Museum, Iran Cinema Museum, Glassware and Ceramic Museum, National Jewels Museum, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum of Iran, Carpet Museum, Golestan Palace, Niavaran Complex, Sa’dabad Complex. For other museums go to part 2 (coming soon)!

Reza Abbasi Museum

Reza Abbasi Museum due to its variety and age of the collections is known as small National Museum. It is dedicated to preserving Iran’s artistic traditions. The museum’s collection includes manuscripts, jewelry, and clay, metalwork, and lacquer paintings. Learn more about Reza Abbasi Museum.

Construction Date: 1977
Collections: from the 2nd millennium BC to the early 20th century
Number of the objects: 50,000 pieces (700 for show only)
Most famous piece: Golden Head of Horse Rhyton – Sassanid Empire 6-7 AD
Opening days and hours:

• Fall and Winter: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. except Fridays and public mourning holidays
• Spring and Summer: Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. except Fridays and public mourning holidays

Price: 150,000 Rials (1 euro= 60000 Rials as of Feb. 2018)
Website: http://www.rezaabbasimuseum.ir/
Address: Reza Abbasi Museum, 892, Shariati Ave., Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 21 8851 3002
Location: Click Here

Iran Cinema Museum

You will go through a 100-year history of Iranian cinema in Iran Cinema Museum. Numerous old film posters, equipment and on-set photos of many great movies and cartoons are shown in this museum. “Lor Girl”, the first sound film ever produced in Persian (1932), is shown by still operational first Iranian cinema, several times a day.

Construction Date: 1994
Collections: Iranian cinematic heritage
Opening days and hours: Every day from 10:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 14:00 to 17:00 except Mondays and public mourning holidays

Price: 150,000 Rials
Website: http://cinemamuseum.ir/?p=MainPage
Address: Iran Cinema Museum, Bagh-e Ferdows, off Valiasr Ave. Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 21 2271 9001
Location: Click Here

Glassware and Ceramic Museum

The museum building is located in a 7000 m² garden. You will be shown clay pots dating back from the 4th millennium B.C. up to the present time as well as glass works from 1st millennium B.C. up to the contemporary era. Learn more about Glassware and Ceramic Museum.

Construction Date: 1937
Collections: clay pots from 4,000 BC ending with elaborate modern glassware
Number of the objects: 2064 pieces + 4000 books and pamphlets
Opening days and hours:

• Fall and Winter: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. except Mondays and public mourning holidays
• Spring and Summer: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. except Mondays and public mourning holidays

Price: 150,000 Rials
Website: http://www.glasswaremuseum.ir/index.html
Address: Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran, Si Tir St. Tehran, Iran.
Telephone: +98 21 6670 8153
Location: Click Here

National Jewels Museum

Here is a collection of priceless jewels collected over centuries; this is the largest set of jewels on public display in the world. The museum is located at the Central Bank of Iran in the heart of Tehran. The value of the Jewels is only economic but they are also a representation of the artistic and cultural heritage of Iran. Learn more about National Jewels Museum.

Construction Date: 1955
Collections: Safavid, Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties’ gems, crowns and precious metals
Number of the objects: Millions of pieces!
Most famous pieces: Globe of Jewels, Peacock Throne, and Sea of Light Diamond
Opening days and hours: Saturday to Tuesday from 14:00 p.m. to 16:30 p.m. except for public mourning holidays
Price: 200,000 Rials
Website: https://www.cbi.ir/page/1475.aspx
Address: National Jewel Treasury, Central Bank of Iran, Ferdowsi Ave. Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 216 446 3785
Location: Click Here

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

The secretive concrete building has been designed using elements from traditional Persian architecture, and at the same time it can be regarded as an example of contemporary art. Collection of modernist works of Picasso, Van Gogh, and Dali in this museum is one of the most valuable collections of Western art outside the USA and UK. Learn more about Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

Construction Date: 1977
Collections: 19th and 20th century’s world-class European and American paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures and also Iranian artworks;
Number of the objects: more than 4000 artworks
Most famous piece: At Eternity’s Gate by Vincent van Gogh; Baboon and Young by Pablo Picasso; Still Life with Head-Shaped Vase and Japanese Woodcut by Paul Gauguin
Opening days and hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. and Friday from 15:00 to 18:00 p.m. (Closed on Saturdays and public mourning holidays)
Price: 200,000 Rials
Website: http://www.tmoca.com/home/
Address: Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, in vicinity of Laleh Park, North Karegar Ave., Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 218 896 2976 – +98 218 896 5411 – +98 218 896 3200
Location: Click Here

National Museum of Iran

Here you will have a rare tour of ancient and Islamic Persia. You will be stunned by the variety of archaeological relics, including artifacts from prehistoric Iran to the end of the Sassanid period. Learn more about National Museum of Iran.

Construction Date: 1937
Collections: Objects dating back to ancient and medieval Iran, including pottery vessels, metal objects, textile remains, coins, etc.
Number of the objects: 300,000
Most famous pieces: An Iron-Age gold cup from Marlik, An Elamite bull statue and many others
Opening days and hours: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. except public mourning holidays
Price: 200,000 Rials
Website: http://nationalmuseum.ichto.ir/ (only in Farsi)
Address: National Museum of Iran, 30 Tir St., Tehran
Telephone: +98 216 670 2061
Location: Click Here

Carpet Museum

Carpet Museum of Iran has an amazing collection of hand-made old Persian carpets and rugs from different regions of Iran which helps to have just a taste of what Iranian art has to offer. Learn more about Carpet Museum.

Construction Date: 1978
Collections: Persian carpets and kilims
Number of the objects: 150
Most famous piece: Mashhad 150-raj carpet
Opening days and hours: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 16:30 p.m. except Mondays and public mourning holidays
Price: 150,000 Rials
Website: http://www.carpetmuseum.ir/home.htm
Address: Carpet Museum, Dr. Fatemi St., Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 218 896 7707, +98 218 896 2703
Location: Click Here

Golestan Palace

Golestan is the name of a collection of palaces built during the reign of Qajar kings. You will need around two hours to visit all the building. You will visit Shams-ol Emareh (Edifice of the Sun), once the tallest building in Tehran and also the city’s first structure to be built out of metal. Learn more about Golestan Palace.

Construction Date: 1524
Collections: Royal Places, museums, and Halls, artworks, furniture, etc.
Number of the objects: 17 structures and many objects
Most famous piece: Edifice of the Sun Palace, Salam Hall
Opening days and hours:

• Fall and winter: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. except public mourning holidays
• Spring and summer: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. except public mourning holidays

Price:

• Entrance: 150,000 Rials
• Main Hall: 150,000 Rials (including Salam, Mirror, Ivory, Brilliant, and Container Halls)
• Photographic Archive: 80,000 Rials
• Painting Archive: 80,000 Rials
• Museum of Gifts: 80,000 Rials
• Pond House: 80,000 Rials
• Edifice of the Sun: 80,000 Rials
• Building of Windcatchers: 80,000 Rials
• Abyaz Palace: 80,000 Rials
• Diamond Hall: 80,000 Rials

Website: http://www.golestanpalace.ir/en.html
Address: Golestan Palace, Panzdah-e-Khordad St., Arg Sq., Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 213 311 3335
Location: Click Here

Niavaran Complex

This complex have been built in northern edges of Tehran in Qajar era (1796-1925), but now it is part of busy Tehran. There are three main buildings; the oldest one, Saheb-Gharaniyeh, built in 1851, the other one, Ahmad Shahi Mansion belonging to Ahmad Shah, last king of Qajar dynasty and Niavaran Palace built in 1958 by Mohammad Reza Shah, the second Pahlavi king.

Some of the items date back to the first millennium BC, and some are works of contemporary artists such as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Gauguin. You will also see amazing Iranian carpets, calligraphy works, paintings and crystals of Czech, Germany and Russia. Learn more about Niavaran Palace.

Construction Date: 1851
Collections: Royal Places, museums, and Halls, artworks
Number of the objects: 8 structures and many works of art and historic items
Most famous piece: Saheb-Gharaniyeh Palace, works of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso
Opening day and hours: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 16:30 p.m. except public mourning holidays
Price:

• Entrance: 150,000 Rials
• Niavaran mansion: 150,000 Rials
• Jahan Nama Museum: 150,000 Rials
• Ahmad Shahi Pavilion: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Library: 80,000 Rials
• Shah’s private car: 80,000 Rials
• The Saheb Qaranie: Closed now!
• Pond House: Closed now!

Website: http://niavaranmu.ir/# (only in Farsi)
Address: Niavaran Complex, Shahid Bahonar Sq. (Niavaran), Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 212 228 2012
Location: Click Here

Sa’dabad Complex

Sa’dabad Complex was built by Qajar Kings in the 19^th century and enlarged by the Pahlavi family in the 20^th century. The turned-into-museum palaces display gorgeous Persian carpets, figurines, chinaware, European-made furniture and chandeliers. Learn more about Sa’dabad Complex.

Construction Date: 19^th and 20^th century- Museum after 1979 revolution
Collections: Royal Places, museums, and halls, artworks, military equipment, etc.
Number of the objects: 18 structures and many objects
Most famous piece: White Palace (Mellat Museum)
Opening days and hours:

• Fall and winter: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. except public mourning holidays
• Spring and summer: Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. except public mourning holidays

Price:

• Entrance: 150,000 Rials
• Mellat Palace Museum: 150,000 Rials
• Fine Arts Museum: 80,000 Rials
• MirEmad Calligraphy Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Albums and Historical Documents Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Clothing Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Kitchen Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Cars Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Weapons Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Royal Dishes Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Farshchian Miniature Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Behzad Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Omidvar Brothers’ Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Nation’s Art Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Water Museum: 80,000 Rials
• Green Palace Museum: closed now!
• Military Museum: closed now!

Website: http://en.sadmu.ir/
Address: Sa’dabad Complex, Shahid Taheri St., Shahid Fallahi St. (Zaferanieh), Valiasr St., Tehran, Iran
Telephone: +98 212 275 2031-9
Location: Click Here