🇮🇷 Iran | Shiraz Travel Guide: Accommodation, Food & Transportation

During our 14-day Iran trip from south to north, we visited 4 cities: Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, and Tehran, before flying to Yerevan, Armenia. 📍 Shiraz Our first stop and the largest city in southern Iran. 🏨 Nomad Sky Hostel ⭐⭐⭐ A Chinese-run hostel with: Double room (shared bathroom): $20/night Dorm bed: $7/night ✔️ Pros: Breakfast served 7-9 AM (fried eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers). Shared kitchen with Chinese spices—great for cooking! Nearby market for groceries. Many Chinese travelers—ideal for solo female travelers looking for budget-friendly and safe companionship. Laundry service ($1/load). ✖️ Cons: Outdated facilities, no shelves in rooms. 📋 Itinerary ✅ Day 1: Maharloo Lake (Pink Lake) ⭐⭐⭐ 🚕 4-person shared taxi: 4M rials (~¥48). ⏳ Duration: Half-day (driver usually allows 2 hours). 💬 The lake isn't as pink as photos suggest (heavily filtered). It also has a strong odor—we just took quick pics and left. ✅ Day 2 1. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎫 Entry: 2.5M rials. ⏰ Best time: 8-8:30 AM for pink light effects. After 9 AM, it gets dark and crowded. 📸 Winter tip: Better lighting due to lower sun angle. 2. Hafez's Tomb ⭐ 🎫 2.5M rials. More like a park—locals visit for dates. Skip if short on time. 3. Shah Cheragh Mausoleum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎫 Free, open 24/7. ⚠️ Rules: Separate entrances for men/women, chadors provided, bags checked. Free English-guided tour (shows photo spots). Avoid prayer times for full access. ✅ Day 3: Shiraz → Yazd (via Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam, Pasargadae) 🚕 Private car: $60. 1. Persepolis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎫 1M rials. A must-see—stunning ruins of the Achaemenid Empire. 2. Naqsh-e Rostam (Necropolis) ⭐⭐ Tombs of Persian kings (Darius, Xerxes) carved into cliffs. No entry—just faded reliefs. Hot and underwhelming. 3. Pasargadae (Cyrus the Great's Tomb) ⭐ A giant stone coffin. We only took photos from the car. #IranTravel #Shiraz #BudgetTravel #PinkMosque #Persepolis #SoloTravel 🌏✈️