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Kermanshah
ℹ️Practical info — Kermanshah
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The Taq-e Bostan rock reliefs are beautifully illuminated at night, making evening the best time to visit.
- Be prepared for a hike if visiting the Bisotun inscription; bring water and sun protection.
- Shared taxis (savari) are the most common way to travel between main squares.
- Try to learn a few words of Kurdish, as the local culture is predominantly Kurdish.
🍽 Food
Kermanshah-style rib kebab, best enjoyed at restaurants near Taq-e Bostan.
Almond and meat stew, served in traditional eateries in the city center.
Sweet rice cookies, widely available in specialized pastry shops.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Explore this traditional market for Kurdish textiles, spices, and copperware.
Look for these handmade traditional cotton shoes in the old bazaar.
A peaceful lake filled with lotus flowers, located just outside the city.
Gives a calm environment and great views over the city of Kermanshah.
Water temperature…
Kermanshah is a major metropolitan center in western Iran, acting as a historical and cultural bridge between the Iranian highlands and the Mesopotamian lowlands. Located along the ancient Silk Road, the city has been a vital trade hub for millennia, witnessing the rise and fall of empires from the Medes to the Safavids. The most significant historical site near Kermanshah is the Bisotun (Behistun) Inscription, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a massive rock relief commissioned by Darius the Great in 521 BC. In the northern part of the city lies Taq-e Bostan, an extraordinary site of Sassanid rock carvings situated next to a natural spring and a popular park. Kermanshah is the cultural heartland of Iran's Kurdish population, and the local identity is defined by lively music, traditional dances, and a rich linguistic heritage. The city's economy is highly diversified, supported by one of Iran's oldest oil refineries, a thriving petrochemical sector, and extensive agricultural processing of wheat and sugar beets. Kermanshah's climate is semi-arid with a Mediterranean influence, characterized by rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The local cuisine is a major draw, with 'Dandeh Kebab' being a national favorite, along with 'Khoresht-e Khalal', a unique almond and meat stew. The city is also a major educational hub, home to several prominent institutions such as Razi University and Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Following the devastation of the Iran-Iraq War, Kermanshah underwent significant redevelopment, resulting in modern urban infrastructure and a strategic railway link to the national network. The bustling Grand Bazaar remains a central part of city life, where artisans continue to produce traditional 'Giveh' shoes and fine pastries. As a gateway to the western borders, Kermanshah continues to play a pivotal role in regional trade and cultural exchange.
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A postcard from Kermanshah
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Create a postcard- Location: Iran
- Highlights: Zagros Paleolithic Museum · nojumi cemetery · Tekkiye Moaven-ol-Molk
- Population: ~621.100 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 48 | 55 | 52 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 51 | 42 |
Geography
Facts
- Kermanshah was the capital of a vassal state during the Parthian era.
- The Bisotun mountain rises 1,200 meters above the surrounding plain.
- The city is a major center for Kurdish literature and publication in Iran.
- Dandeh Kebab, or rib kebab, is the city's signature culinary specialty.
- Kermanshah has an average of 300 sunny days per year.
- The city's historical bazaar was built during the Zand and Qajar periods.
- Razi University was founded in 1972 and is a top-tier science school.
- The Ghar-e-Doo-Ashkaft cave near the city shows signs of Neanderthal habitation.
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Sights in the town Kermanshah (10)
Frequently asked questions
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