4 Days in Isfahan: Why I Fell in Love with Iran

They say Isfahan is Persia’s love letter to the world, written in domes and tilework—each colored brick a stardust fragment, each call to prayer a gravitational wave. But what truly stole my heart? Its people. ❤️ Acts of Kindness The bus station uncle who called a taxi for me in the scorching heat. The beautiful girl at Jameh Mosque who asked if I needed help. The shy boy at the hostel who blushed after two sentences. Even the "punk" whistling on Si-o-se Pol Bridge—grudgingly charming. And of course, the ubiquitous money-exchange uncle 🧍♂️—my unofficial tour guide. After just 4 days, I was smitten. 📍 Essentials Stay: Heritage Hostel (great vibe—but watch your fridge snacks!). Bus to Shiraz: ~15M IRR (¥150) by taxi. SIM: Irancell (¥30/15GB; get 50GB free via app referrals). Taxis: Snapp (dirt-cheap—use Persian translations for pickup spots). 🗺️ Top Experiences 1️⃣ Imam Square (UNESCO) Golden hour: Capture the blue-and-gold domes. Fridays = local picnic nights. 2️⃣ Si-o-se Pol (33 Arches Bridge) After 9 PM: Light shows + underground concerts. Low water? Walk the riverbed for Aladdin vibes. 3️⃣ Jameh Mosque (800 Years Old) A mashup of Seljuk domes, Mongol tiles, and Safavid stained glass. 4️⃣ Chehel Sotoun (40 Columns Palace) 20 real columns + 20 water reflections. Don’t miss the hidden Sino-Persian diplomatic murals. 5️⃣ Khaju Bridge Nighttime = live music hub. Join the jam session! 🍽️ Food & Coffee CoCo Cafe: Best espresso in town. Emarat Namakdan Cafe: No-fail menu. #Isfahan #IranTravel #OffTheBeatenPath #Backpacking