Hafezieh leads tourist visits in Fars Province
The Deputy Head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization of Fars Province announced that, even after the Nowruz holidays, which ended on April 2, holiday visitors’ interest in connecting with the country’s historical identity has not decreased. The tomb of Hafez (known as Hafezieh) remains the most popular tourist destination in spring 2026, attracting more than 16,000 visitors.
Speaking to reporters, Heydar Zadehian‑Nejad said that, to date, the tomb of Hafez, the celebrated 14th century Persian poet and lyricist, has ranked first with 16,547 visitors. It is followed by the tomb of Saʿdi, a renowned Persian poet and writer of the 13th century, with 9,512 visitors, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis with 6,740 visitors, the Karim Khan Citadel (Zandiyeh Complex) with 5,732 visitors, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pasargad with 4,590 visitors. These sites have drawn the highest number of tourists, according to ISNA.
He noted that on April 3, 1,332 people visited tomb of Hafez, 781 visited tomb of Saʿdi, and 616 visited the Zandiyeh Complex.
He added that Persepolis welcomed 622 tourists, while Pasargad hosted 380 visitors interested in Iran’s ancient history on the same day.
Zadehian‑Nejad emphasized the deep connection between society and historical heritage, describing this level of public interest in the last days of the holidays as evidence of the valuable place these monuments hold in the collective memory of Iranians. He added, “This strong presence shows that cultural heritage is not merely a tourist destination, but the anchor of our national identity.”
He concluded by stressing that all heritage sites in the province remain fully prepared until the very last moment of visitors’ stay, stating, “All of our colleagues are providing specialized services at maximum capacity to ensure peace of mind, comfort, and a lasting experience for guests who have chosen Fars as their travel destination.”
Earlier, Governor General of Fars Province Hosseinali Amiri, during a visit to the Karim Khan Citadel in Shiraz, highlighted Fars Province’s distinguished status in the country’s tourism sector — especially during Nowruz. He mentioned that recent field visits had been made to the tombs of Hafez and Saʿdi (each visited twice), as well as to Pasargad, Persepolis, Dasht-e Arjan, and other tourist destinations in the province. During these visits, in addition to cordial discussions with the public, artists, and those active in tourism and handicrafts, their issues and problems were reviewed, and, where necessary, appropriate orders were issued to resolve them.