Imam Square, Royal Palaces, Bazaars and Bridges of Isfahan
Begin your tour at Imam Square. This 17th-century site is one of the largest public spaces in the world. Here, you will visit the 17th-century Shah Mosque, revered as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and easily recognized by its magnificent tile-work, soaring cupola, and minarets.
Continue to Ali Qapu Palace and witness its beautiful music rooms and balconies, where Safavid kings once sat to enjoy the polo matches in the square below.
Explore the Qeisarieh Bazaar area that surrounds Imam Square. With hundreds of local vendors specializing in traditional arts and crafts, it is a wonderful place to shop for pottery, enamel, jewellery, and delicately inlaid board games.
Proceed to see the famous bridges on the Zayandeh River, Si-o-se-pol and Khaju. There are sluice gates below the bridge that let in the water runoff from the Zayandeh River in the spring, and beautiful stone archways above each gate. These archways provide a great acoustic setting for anyone who wants to sing. You can often find a man or a group of men singing under the bridge. The songs are usually about betrayal or unrequited love, and you can chat with these men and listen to their songs.
End the day in the Armenian quarter and visit several churches, including the 17th-century Vank Cathedral, admired for its lavishly decorated interiors and unique blend of Islamic and European architectural elements.
