Best Tehran Museums

1- National Museum of Iran
National Museum of Iran is Iran most important museum, located at 30th Tir Street. In this museum, numerous archaeological remains are kept and exhibited from all over Iran and different times; pre-historical, historical and Islamic periods. National Museum of Iran expresses Iran rich history, civilization, culture and art starting really ancient times. It consists of two distinct museums: The Museum of Ancient Iran and The Museum of Islamic Period.

Address: 30th Tir St, Imam Khomeini St, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–6:30pm

2- National Jewelry Museum
In “The Treasury of National Jewels”, commonly known as “Jewelry Museum” which is located inside the Central Bank of Iran, several priceless jewels and gems have belonged to Iran kings are exhibited and open to public. Although this museum has restricted opening hours (14-16:30 from Saturday to Tuesday), it is a must see in Iran. In this impressive museum you will see objects like jeweled crowns and one of the world’s largest diamonds that is the well-known “Daria-i-Noor”.

Address: Central Bank of Iran, Ferdowsi Ave, Tehran
Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 2–4:30pm
                       Wednesday, Thursday and Friday  Closed

3- Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran (Abgineh Museum)
“Abgineh Museum” is the museum of glassware and ceramic that’s located at 30th Tir Sreet in two floors with five halls. The building itself is really worth visiting, because it’s a truly beautiful historical house from Qajar era.

Address: 30th Tir St, Imam Khomeini St, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–5pm

4- Golestan & Sa’adabad Complexes
In Tehran, there are some magnificent palaces. They’re actually royal complexes. “Golestan Palace” is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. This palace dates back to Zand and Qajar dynasties and it was the official residence in Qajar dynasty. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 royal buildings, including palaces set around an elegant garden. Today, most of them are used as museums.
“Sa’adabad palace” was built in Qajar dynasty and was expanded during Pahlavi dynasty and was royal residence in these two eras. It’s located in Darband district in north of Tehran. This complex consists of 18 palaces. After Iran Revolution, this complex became museums and galleries. These royal buildings are within a really beautiful forest which is also a pleasant place for strolling.

Golestan Palace:
Address: Panzdah-e-Khordad Street, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–5pm

Sa'adabad Palace:
Address: Taheri Street, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–7pm

5- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (or TMoCA) is among the largest museums in the world that was inaugurated by the order of last queen of Iran in 1977. There are a lot of significant European and American masterpieces in this museum in different styles such as conceptual art, minimalism and pop art from famous artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. It’s considered to have the most valuable collection of Western modern art in Asia. Iranian works of art are exhibited alongside international ones. Three galleries show permanent collections and six galleries show occasionally exhibitions. Valuable sculptures can be seen in its garden as well. There are also a café and a restaurant in the museum.

Address: N Kargar Street, Tehran
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday    10am–6pm
                       Friday    3–6pm
                       (Closed on Saturdays)
* P.S. It will be closed until November 2018 due to the renovation.

6- Carpet Museum of Iran
Carpet weaving is one of the most precious Iranian arts from old times. This art is at least 3500 years old in Iran.  Carpet Museum of Iran was founded by the order of last queen of Iran in 1978. In this museum a variety of exquisite Iranian hand-woven carpets from different parts of Iran (dating from 16th century to the present) are exhibited. The museum exterior is designed to resemble a carpet loom.

Address: Dr Fatemi St, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–6pm (Closed on Mondays)

7- Reza Abbasi Museum
Reza Abbasi Museum is named after the great Persian artist in Safavid period, Reza Abbasi. It was opened by the order of last queen of Iran in 1977. Reza Abbasi museum is home to a distinctive collection of Iranian art from the second millennium BC to the early 20th century which are arranged chronologically, so the visitors can observe the development of Iranian art.
This museum exhibits Iranian works of art from different periods in three floors: 3rd floor for pre-Islamic era, 2nd floor for Islamic period and 1st floor for miniature and calligraphy.

Address: Shariati Street, Tehran
Opening Hours: 9am–5pm (Closed on Mondays)