Weather in Persepolis

About Persepolis

Persepolis rises as a fever dream in stone, where colossal bulls guard gateways and relief carvings celebrate tributes from conquered lands. The Achaemenid empire's ceremonial capital blazes under the desert sun, a monument to vanquished glory.

Country

Iran

Best months to visit

April, May, September, October

Currency

IRR

Language

Persian

Things to do in Persepolis

Tour the Palace of Xerxes Examine relief carvings and inscriptions Climb to the hilltop acropolis Visit the Treasury building remains Explore the Apadana Staircase details Hike surrounding ridge for sunset

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

12C

Cool, with occasional showers.

February

15C

Cool, with occasional showers.

March

19C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

April

25C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

May

31C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

June

37C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

July

38C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

August

36C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

September

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

October

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

November

18C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

December

15C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and its terraced ruins — monumental stone gateways, columned halls and relief carvings of tribute-bearers from across the ancient empire — remain remarkably evocative more than two millennia after Alexander the Great's forces burned it. A short drive from Shiraz, it's one of the great archaeological sites of the ancient world.

Best areas to stay in Persepolis

Persepolis terrace

The main raised platform with the Gate of All Nations, Apadana Palace columns, and the famous tribute-bearer reliefs.

Naqsh-e Rustam

A nearby cliff face with monumental rock-cut tombs of Persian kings, a short drive from the main site.

Pasargadae

The earlier Achaemenid capital and tomb of Cyrus the Great, about 1.5 hours further away, sometimes combined into a longer day trip.

Shiraz

The nearest city, used as a base for visiting Persepolis and its surrounding sites.

Getting to Persepolis

✈

Flights

Fly into Shiraz (via Tehran for international visitors), then travel by road (around 1 hour) to Persepolis.

⏱

From London

~1 hour drive from Shiraz; international connections typically route via Tehran, Istanbul or Dubai.

🚕

Getting around

Visited by taxi or organised tour from Shiraz; the site itself involves a fair amount of walking over uneven stone.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Persepolis?

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the exposed site; summer heat can be intense.

How do you get to Persepolis?

It's about an hour's drive from Shiraz, easily visited as a half-day or full-day trip by taxi, organised tour, or shared transport.

What else is near Persepolis?

Naqsh-e Rustam, with its rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid kings, is just a few kilometres away and often combined with a Persepolis visit.

How much time do you need at Persepolis?

Around 2-3 hours allows a thorough visit to the main terrace, gateways and reliefs; a guide adds valuable context to the carvings.

Is there shade or facilities on site?

Limited — bring water, sun protection and a hat, as much of the site is exposed stone with little shade.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Standing among those carved reliefs of ancient delegations bringing tribute to the Persian king was genuinely moving — incredible to think how old this all is.

Henrik J. · April 2024

★★★★★

Combined Persepolis with Naqsh-e Rustam in one morning trip from Shiraz — both are essential and the carvings at the tombs are just as impressive.

Farah A. · November 2023

★★★★☆

A guide really helped bring the ruins to life — without one it would be easy to miss the significance of the details. Go early to avoid the heat and crowds.

Greg T. · March 2024