Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Besat Hospital (Most modern equipment and emergency care).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sina Wellness Center; private sessions approx. 2,000,000 IRR.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxin Gym (Saiediyeh St.); high-end equipment, monthly membership approx. 8,000,000 IRR.
- Laundry Services
- Homa Dry Cleaning on Bu-Ali St.
Essentials
- City
- Hamadan, Hamadan Province, Iran
- Population
- 650,000
- Internet Speed
- 15-40 Mbps (Fiber available in select areas via Irantelecom; Mobile 4G+ is more reliable)
- Currency & Banking
- Iranian Rial (IRR). 1 USD ≈ 600,000 IRR (Free market rate). Note: International cards do not work.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but most locals prefer filtered or bottled water for taste.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Irancell or Hamrah-e Aval; approx. 500,000 IRR for 10GB. Requires passport for registration.
- Banking for Expats
- Local debit cards like Mahoot or Daric are essential as Visa/Mastercard are blocked. Cash (USD/EUR) can be exchanged at Sarafi offices.
- Accommodation
- Hotels and traditional guesthouses; Airbnb is not officially available. Check SnappTrip for local listings.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Iran is highly cashless via local Shetab system; virtually no one uses cash for daily transactions.
- Short Term Rentals
- Jajiga or Homsa; private apartments range from 15,000,000 to 25,000,000 IRR per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Arian Hostel or Amadaneh Guesthouse (approx. 8,000,000 IRR/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Bu-Ali Sina Square area for proximity to sights and cafes.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Etemadiyeh or Mahdieh neighborhoods for quieter residential vibes and better modern infrastructure.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hamadan Science and Technology Park (HSTP) - Limited public access but offers dedicated desks for tech entrepreneurs.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Aura Cafe on Saiediyeh St. - Good Wi-Fi, modern aesthetic, and plenty of power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Hamadan Startup Grinds (held occasionally at the University of Hamadan).
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Hamadan group (small but active) or Couchsurfing hangouts at Bu-Ali Square.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Snapp or Tapsi (Most rides within city are 300,000 - 600,000 IRR).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal app; limited rentals available near Ganjnameh for recreational use.
- Best Beach Nearby
- None; Hamadan is mountainous. Nearest water is Ekbatan Dam (15km) for picnics.
- Top Regional Airline
- Iran Air or Mahan Air (Flights from Hamadan Airport to Tehran or Mashhad).
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines (via Tehran IKA, 4 hours drive away).
- Highway Access
- Connected to Tehran via the Saveh-Hamadan Expressway (Route 2).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Hamadan Railway Station (South of the city); connects to Tehran and Mashhad.
- Public Transport Passes
- Hamadan City Card for city buses (available at kiosks near main squares).
- Regional Travel
- VIP Buses from Hamadan Terminal to Tehran (approx. 5 hours; 1,500,000 IRR).
Business
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (For income exceeding a specific annual threshold).
- VAT
- 9% (Value Added Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced.
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on rental value and annual municipal assessment.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 5% transfer fee.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No formal nomad visa; however, foreign income is generally not tracked or taxed if not brought into the local banking system.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 16 Billion IRR/~$26,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 250,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10 Billion IRR/~$16,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 380,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 22.8 Billion IRR/~$38,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 230,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 13.8 Billion IRR/~$23,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 350,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 28 Billion IRR/~$46,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 210,000,000 IRR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 16.8 Billion IRR/~$28,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate for companies).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Iran currently does not tax dividends distributed to shareholders).
- Tax System
- Territorial/Resident basis (Taxes on all income sourced from Iran).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SnappFood (Widely used for everything from kebabs to pizza).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Dizi (Abgoosht) or Hamadani Kofta.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Shandiz (Vegetable skewers) or Vesta Cafe for salad bowls.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Angosht-pich (Local specialty) available at Hajj Ahmad Confectionery.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Grand Bazar of Hamadan for fresh produce and spices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Digikala (The Amazon of Iran).
- Grocery Delivery
- Okala or Snapp Express.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Non-existent (Alcohol is illegal). Socializing happens in cafes on Etemadiyeh St. until midnight.
- Local Brewery
- Istak (Non-alcoholic malt beverages) is the local standard.
- Wine Bars
- Strictly prohibited.
- Street Food Stalls
- Mian-Jadeh area for grilled corn and Ash-e Reshteh.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Italian food at Pizza Pizza or burgers at Zhivar.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Tomb of Avicenna and Ganjnameh Inscriptions.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Hegmataneh Museum (Ecbatana excavations).
- Historical Sites
- Tomb of Esther and Mordechai (Significant Jewish pilgrimage site).
- Religious Sites
- Alavian Dome (Stunning Seljuk-era brickwork).
- Annual Events
- National Day of Avicenna (August).
- Cultural Districts
- The Historical Core (Hegmataneh Hill).
- Theater Venues
- Hamadan Cultural Center (Farhangsara).
- Local Markets
- The Copper Bazaar (Bazar-e Mesgarha).
- Music Scene
- Traditional Iranian music performances at the Avicenna Hall.
- Street Art
- Calligraphy murals around the main ring road.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions can be arranged via the Hamadan Heritage Organization.
- Art Galleries
- Zarnegar Gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- Gonbad-e Alavian.
- Local Heritage
- Hamadan is recognized as the 'Capital of History and Civilization' in Iran.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Alvand Mountain (Popular for hiking and skiing).
- National Parks Nearby
- Lalejin (famous for pottery) and the Ali Sadr Cave (75km away, world's largest water cave).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Eram Boulevard (long pedestrian-friendly stretch with gardens).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Abbas Abad Hill (Panorama overlook of the city).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ekbatan Dam wetlands.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic zones in Abbas Abad Tourism Complex.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Iran Post (State) or Tipax (Private courier).
- Tech Repair Services
- Pasazh-e Ghods (The go-to mall for electronics and phone repairs).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Mardom Park.
- Language Classes
- Safir Language Academy (Persian for foreigners).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Central Library of Hamadan (near Eram Blvd).
- Community Centers
- Shahid Beheshti Cultural House.
- Gaming Lounges
- Game Net Centers in Saiediyeh Mall.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited.