Finding the Right Shiraz Hostel
We’ve talked about this city and its attractions, but how can you find the right hostel in Shiraz? As we own Mahbibi and Sarv hostels in Isfahan, we’ve often been asked by our guests for hostel recommendations in their next important stop, Shiraz, and have gained a bit of experience and knowledge about which one is the best through their feedback. In this blog post, we will share said knowledge with you with the hope that it helps you through your journey in Iran!
What Makes Shiraz an Important Stop for Tourists
As we said, you can read our full Shiraz blog to learn about the city and understand what it has to offer. If you’re not in the mood for reading that other blog, here’s a quick summary: Shiraz is often recited as the cultural center in Iran by locals and foreigners alike. It has deep roots in poetry, Negargari (essentially an Iranian type of miniatures, but quite different from the Roman version), and the arts. The people of this city are famous for being laid-back and rather friendly, so Shiraz has the potential to be one of the most fun cities you’ll visit in Iran.
Another reason, or perhaps the most important reason for making a stop at Shiraz is to visit the majestic Persepolis and a couple of other important Achaemenid architectural sites like Naghshe Rostam and Pasargaad, which are all about an hour’s drive from the city. Being the first historical site in Iran to be listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, your journey through our country is sure to feel incomplete if you don’t spend a day in Persepolis, and bask in the glory of one of the greatest empires in history.
Cheap Accommodation in Shiraz
Now that we’ve substantially covered why you’re bound to visit the city, let’s talk about your accommodation. Like all major cities in Iran, Shiraz offers various places of accommodation; Some are suitable for the budget traveler, some for those traveling with family, some for high-end travelers, etc. Hotels, hostels, inns, guesthouses, B&Bs, and pretty much everything else you can think of are viable options, so why choose hostels?
We’ve discussed this at other times, in other blogs, so our preferences should not be surprising to you, but what makes hostels special among all other places of accommodation is the basically hotel-like services you get for a much lower price than the hotel rates, and even more importantly, the friendly atmosphere as well as the opportunity to get to know different people from all over the world. Hostels in Shiraz are no different in that matter: You get to truly feel the friendliness of the people in the city, keep your expenses at a minimum, and make the most of your time!
Prices of Shiraz Hostels
As far as the pricing goes, Shiraz hostels are pretty much in the same range as most other big cities such as Isfahan or Yazd. You can expect to get a dormitory bed for 8-15 Euros, and a private room starting at around 12 Euros. As we have said before, while caring about the prices is understandable, it should not be the only factor in your decision-making. You should always have a clear idea of the services you will be receiving for the money you’re paying, and with that understanding, make your decision on which hostel you’ll be staying at.
Location of Hostels in Shiraz
Again, not too different from Isfahan or Tehran hostels, hostels in Shiraz are primarily located within reach of the main attractions: A lot of them are in the older quarters of the city, within walking distance of places of interest like the Pink Mosque, the Tomb of Hafez, the Arg-e Karim Khan or the Vakil Complex: The Mosque, the Bazaar, and the Bathhouse. Shiraz hostels are also usually in close proximity to essential shops and businesses, as well as public transportation stations. In any case, if you end up needing some directions, or just don’t know where to go first, don’t hesitate to talk to your hostel’s front desk/reception!
The Vibe in Shiraz Hostels
And this is the part which we believe to be the most important factor that comes to play when choosing between different hostels. There’s not really a formula or rule that needs to be followed in order to achieve the right atmosphere, it’s more of a personal feeling: When you get the feeling that you’re welcome and safe, you’ve found your perfect hostel in Shiraz. So you may have to go to different places before you can make your decision, but it’s certainly worth the extra effort!
Hostels in Shiraz
Now, let’s finally get to the main point of this article: Listing the hostels which we believe to be the best of the best in Shiraz. It is worth mentioning again that this list is primarily based on the accumulated feedback of guests who have asked us to book them a hostel in Shiraz, and secondarily some of our own experiences.
Tuti Hostel
Tuti Hostel is one of the more recently founded hostels in Shiraz: A charming 200-year-old house that is equipped with everything you need to feel comfortable, and yet has maintained its Qajar charm. You can take advantage of the on-site café to order yourself something to eat or drink while relaxing on the rooftop, or take a stroll through the courtyard, enjoying the nice Shiraz weather. Tuti is located near the Naranjestan Qavam House -one of the most important historical houses in the city- and within walking distance of the Pink Mosque and other important attractions. One of the few hostels in Shiraz that doesn’t offer dormitory beds, you can get yourself a private room at a reasonable price.
BB Hostel
Another beautiful Shiraz hostel with a beautiful rooftop café, the friendliest staff, and offering some exciting tours, BB Hostel has been our recommendation for guests for a while, and we have received some great feedback. The clean rooms, beautiful courtyard, and delicious breakfast all make for a comfortable stay, while being located in the very heart of Shiraz’s old quarters makes BB perfect for planning your day without worrying about your transportation.
Sohrab Traditional Hostel
Being one of the most popular hostels in Shiraz for quite a while now, Sohrab Traditional House is another central courtyard-style residential building, renovated and restored to operate as a hostel. Whether you choose to stay in a private room or a dormitory room, you’ll have access to Sohrab’s beautiful courtyard (which also has some parking space for those of you who are traveling with your bikes and bicycles) and the communal kitchen. Located in close proximity to one of Shiraz’s important yet somewhat unorthodox attractions, the Shahcheragh Shrine, and within walking distance of the rest of the places the city has to offer, you can rest assured that you won’t be spending too much money on taxi fares!
Sirah Traditional Hostel
A 100-year-old building restored to at and operating as a hostel since 2016, Sirah is one of the safest bets you can take for your Shiraz accommodation. Offering a dormitory room and seven private rooms, fully equipped with a kitchen and a beautiful courtyard, you will have easy access to the important attractions of the city from Sirah, and rest at ease after a day on the town. The delicious Iranian breakfast -included on your stay, of course- and the meals you can order for lunch and/or dinner are all the more reasons to choose Sirah as your hostel in Shiraz.
Parhami Traditional House
While the Parhami Traditional House has gained more credit as a restaurant than a hostel in Shiraz, it can make for a nice place of accommodation. You know that you can order some delicious dishes and try out local Shirazi food, have a comfortable stay, and have easy access to Shiraz attractions all at the same place! Though the pricing is more in the hotel range and could be a little bit outside of your budget, you’re definitely getting a lot out of your money. We will talk more about the Parhami house more thoroughly as it deserves its own blog, suffice it to say that staying in this hostel will surely make for an interesting experience.
Seven Hostel in Shiraz
The Seven Hostel chain is among the oldest (perhaps THE oldest) hostel chains in the country, and the Shiraz Seven Hostel is the second branch in the chain. The Seven Hostels have gained a reputation as being among the cheapest available options out there, with branches spread out throughout the country in places like Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Alamut. In Shiraz Seven Hostel, you can rest assured that you’re in professional hands, and can get information about the city, different tours, and much more!
Raz Traditional House
Another Shiraz hostel that only offers private rooms, Raz Traditional House is run by a multilingual staff who are fluent in English and French, which can make for more understandable tours and services for people coming from French-speaking countries. Also located in the cluster of hostels and guesthouses in Shiraz’s district no. 8, you will have easy walking access to the Pink Mosque, the Vakil Complex, and the Shahcheragh Shrine, while other attractions are well accessible by public transportation and taxies. In Raz, you can try out some delicious Iranian food in the beautiful courtyard, and enjoy a nice respite from the occasional exhaustion and stress of traveling.
Homayouni Hostel
Another restored Qajar Era house (restored in 2018), Homayouni Hostel in Shiraz might be one of the more expensive options for accommodation in the city, but if you’re not traveling on a limited budget, it’s definitely worth the extra bucks. The rooftop café (or to be more exact, Sharbat-Khane) is the perfect place for some rest & relaxation, and the friendly staff can help arrange different tours for you: From a tour of the whole Achaemenid Sites (Persepolis, Pasargad, and Naghshe Rostam), to a tour of the beautiful and quaint Qalat village. Enjoy the free, delicious breakfast served in the beautiful courtyard, and experience the hospitality of the people of Shiraz!
Friendly Hostel
Another suitable option for backpackers and those traveling on a budget is the Friendly Hostel in Shiraz (though it may be a bit more akin to an inn than the modern concept of a hostel). This is where you can get yourself an affordable dormitory bed or private room, and enjoy the warmer atmosphere of a small business. Our goal is of course not to indicate that the Friendly Hostel offers poor services; You can use a communal kitchen, and a courtyard, and book different tours if you stay in this Shiraz hostel.
Taha Traditional House Shiraz
Another chain operation with branches in Isfahan, Tehran, Shiraz, and Yazd is Taha Hostels. The Shiraz branch is located in a hundred-year-old house, in the very heart of the city, and offers multiple rooms, shared or private. You can enjoy the different tours arranged by the hostel, a full Iranian breakfast every morning, a relaxing courtyard, and much more in Taha.
House of Elephant
House of Elephant is another choice for your Shiraz accommodation, though it’s a rather expensive one. In fact, Emarat-e Fil is more of a hotel than a hostel, but if you have the means and would like to luxuriate a bit during your trip, this is one of the best options you have in Shiraz. A 260-year-old house, the House of Elephant Hotel has been lovingly restored to and maintained at its current state to house guests from all around the world.
Read about our favorite boutique hotel in Shiraz following this link!
Read our blogs about hostels in other cities, our student hostel blog, and our latest post about Iran hostels!
