Azadi Tower — Attraction in Tehran

🌟 Azadi Square – A Symbolic Gateway to Tehran

I visited Azadi Square in October 2024, and it truly stands out as one of the most iconic and historically meaningful locations in Tehran. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, this spot deserves your attention—not only for its architectural significance but also for its strategic location surrounded by⸻

🏛️ Azadi Tower: Iran’s Modern Symbol

At the heart of the square stands the Azadi Tower, an impressive structure that gracefully blends traditional Persian and modernist architectural elements. Built in 1971 (then called Shahyad Tower), it has since become a national landmark. The tower is especially captivating at sunset or after dark when the lighting accentuates its elegant curves and white marble surface.

You can walk around the gardens, fountains, and plazas that surround the monument—it’s a great spot for photos, a peaceful stroll, or just enjoying the atmosphere of west Tehran.

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🛣️ Strategic Location & Major Roads

Azadi Square is one of Tehran’s major traffic and transit hubs. It connects several major highways and roads: • Azadi Avenue (to Enghelab Sq. and central Tehran) • Lashgari Expressway (leading directly to Mehrabad Airport) • Saidi Highway (southbound toward southern Tehran) • Janaat Abad / Jenah Expressway (heading northwest) • Old and New Karaj Roads (toward the industrial zones and western cities)

You’ll also find the Azadi Metro Station right next to the square (Line 4), and many bus lines and BRT routes pass through here—making it very accessible even without a car.

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✈️ Close to Mehrabad International Airport

One major benefit of Azadi Square is its proximity to Mehrabad Airport, which handles domestic flights across Iran. It’s just a short drive (or even metro ride) from the square, making Azadi a great stop if you’re arriving from another city or have time to spare before a flight.

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🏫 Surrounding Landmarks & Institutions

The area around Azadi is rich in culture, education, and industry. Nearby places include: • Sharif University of Technology – one of Iran’s most prestigious universities, just a few blocks east • Allameh Tabataba’i University (Social Sciences campus) • Shahid Sattari Air Force University • Azadi Bus Terminal – for long-distance travel to western cities • Azadi Sports Complex – a short drive away, home to major football matches and events • Iran Khodro & SAIPA factories – reachable via Karaj Road

This district is a mix of academic, residential, and industrial spaces—so you’ll get a feel for everyday life in Tehran.

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🍽️ Food & Cafes Nearby

You’ll find a variety of restaurants and fast-food spots around the square and along Azadi Avenue: • Kebab shops and local eateries offering traditional Iranian dishes • Fast food chains like Burgerland, Atawich, and Pizza 360 • Cafés popular among university students (especially near Sharif University) • Mado Café and Saray-e Mohallebi for Persian desserts and tea

Whether you’re after a quick bite or a full Persian meal, there are many good-value options nearby.

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📸 Great for Photography

If you’re into photography, Azadi Tower is a must-shoot location. The light in October was perfect—warm golden hours, clear skies, and the Alborz Mountains in the background. Night shots are also magical with the tower illuminated in soft white and turquoise lights.

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✅ Final Thoughts

Azadi Square isn’t just a traffic junction—it’s a symbolic place with deep cultural and historical roots. It marks the western entrance to Tehran and offers a snapshot of modern Iran, with its mix of tradition and transformation.

I recommend visiting both during the day (to explore the area and tower surroundings) and at night (for the lighting and calm atmosphere).

My rating: 9/10 ✅ Accessible ✅ Safe ✅ Full of character ⚠️ Can be very crowded during rush hours,...

A unique building in the world. It iis the symbol of Iran that is built about 50 years ago. Personally I love this tower and try to see her each month. Its white tiles are wonderful.engineering. It is worth seeing to travel to Tehran. Near the Azadi airport and near the city terminal where you can go to many cities in Iran. The only drawback you saw there was that it was very crowded and crowded. this square is one of the most beautiful one in Tehran, there is a beautiful gallery and also you can walk around or go to the upstairs to watch around of the Tehran. you should read the details of this square because for each part of Azadi there is a story.This is the most Iconic structure in the city and is also known as Freedom Tower. The Tower is beautifully built and is situated in a great spot for lots of good photos. A must see when in the city. In 1966, the Shah, eager to display the wealth generated from oil exploration, and to distance himself from past political turmoil, held a competition to design a monument to commemorate his rule, and the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great. Architect Hossein Amanat had just graduated from the University of Tehran when he learned about the competition, and he abandoned plans to continue his studies in the United States, instead forming a small architecture studio in his bedroom to work on a design for the monument. With the help of a few friends who were still in school, Amanat’s design–inspired by his fascination with Persian history–won the competition. Unfortunately, a 2013 report from Reuters indicated that the tower has recently been suffering from neglect, including cracked ceilings, water damage, and peeling walls. Recent repairs had damaged the drainage system, exacerbating water damage in the structure. Officials indicated that repairs were being planned, but the story found that previous repairs had been carried out with low quality materials, raising doubts about the effectiveness of any...

It has an area of about 50,000 m2, plus adjacent areas and has a very large roundabout within its main confines

Located in the center of the Azadi Square is the Azadi Tower which has a height of 45 m. The design of the tower and the surrounding area is an archetype of Iranian-Islamic architecture and aesthetic geometry. According to Hossein Amanat: "The designs in the square that form the gardens and flower beds are inspired by the interior design of the dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan; However, the geometry of the dome has become oval. "There are interesting logarithmic relationships in the geometry and dimensions of the dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, which show the deep mathematical knowledge of Iranian architects in previous periods." "The design of water fountains and fountains is also inspired by Iranian gardens. Also, the slope of the square is carefully designed for a specific purpose, the height of the Freedom Tower is 45 meters; Because it is located near Mehrabad airport and can not be built taller than this; But I wanted to go up when you approached the building, when it was not possible to raise the building. In order to solve the problem of height, we created a slope in the field; This means that when you enter the square from the airport, you approach the tower in a downhill manner and reach that circular fountain, and when you approach the building, you go up again. The ground under the tower is perfectly flat. "This smoothness and that slope of the field, when combined, create interesting arc lines."1 Before the Iranian Revolution in 1979, it was called the Shahyad Square (میدان شهیاد Meydāne Ŝahyād), meaning "Shah's Memorial Square", and was the site of many of the Revolution's demonstrations leading up to 12 December 1979. Annually many Iranians celebrate the revolution in...