Yazd

Yazd, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the edge of Iran's central deserts, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth and one of its most atmospheric, a golden labyrinth of mud-brick built in perfect harmony with its harsh climate. Its old town is a maze of winding, shaded alleys, crowned by a distinctive skyline of badgirs, the tall wind towers that catch the breeze to cool the houses below. A historic centre of the Zoroastrian religion, Yazd also holds fire temples and ancient towers of silence.

What you actually see

• The old town - the maze of mud-brick lanes and rooftops.
• The wind towers - the badgirs of the desert skyline.
• The Jameh Mosque - the towering tiled portal and minarets.
• The Zoroastrian sites - the fire temple and towers of silence.

When to go

Spring and autumn, when the desert climate is mild; summers are scorching and winter nights cold. Sunset from a rooftop cafe over the mud-brick skyline and wind towers is unforgettable, and the old town is magical to wander in the cool of evening.

Honest expectations

It is a desert city, so summer heat is intense and best avoided, and Yazd's charm is in slow, atmospheric wandering and its unique architecture rather than blockbuster monuments. As across Iran, practical planning around visas, dress code and cash is needed. The mud-brick maze, wind towers, rooftop views and Zoroastrian heritage, though, make it one of the country's most enchanting places.

Nearby

The mud-brick villages and deserts of central Iran surround it.