Meybod Tourist Attractions | A Complete Guide with Photos, Prices, and Travel Tips

When it comes to the attractions of Meybod, if you haven’t visited this historic city, your mind may naturally drift toward Yazd. Given the similar architecture and atmosphere of Iran’s desert cities, that assumption isn’t entirely wrong. Like many other desert towns, Meybod is filled with historical landmarks that offer exciting experiences for those who love Iranian history and architecture. If you enjoy traveling across Iran and exploring the sights around Yazd, Meybod should definitely be on your list when visiting the central regions of the country.

Located in northern Yazd Province, Meybod serves as the capital of Meybod County and is considered one of Iran’s most beautiful and historic cities. Knowing about the main tourist attractions in Meybod—as well as their visiting hours and entrance fees—can help you plan your trip better. In this article from Lastsecond Blog, we’ll explore Meybod’s top attractions and share useful information to make your visit smoother.

Narin Castle of Meybod

The ancient Narin Castle (also known as Meybod Fortress or Dalan Fortress) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Meybod. It stands on a 25-meter-high hill in the southern part of the city, overlooking the entire area. Archaeological evidence suggests that the site was inhabited as early as 4,000 BCE. According to local legends, the castle once belonged to King Solomon and was built by jinn (spirits), but modern research shows that its foundations date back to the Sassanid era.

Strategically located along the ancient Silk Road, Narin Castle was once managed by soldiers who escorted passing caravans in exchange for taxes. Architecturally, the structure is an irregular oval shape with multiple mudbrick towers and inner corridors. Some researchers believe the original structure was a temple, but its deep moats, massive walls, and defensive layout point to a strong military purpose.

From the top of Narin Castle, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Meybod. The watchtowers that once surrounded the city have mostly disappeared due to modern expansion toward the surrounding desert. The entire castle is made of mudbrick, featuring an underground network of secret tunnels—some parts of which are still visible today.

Narin Castle was registered as a National Heritage Site of Iran on July 30, 1975. In honor of Meybod’s traditional handicraft, a ceramic “Zilou” carpet covering 480 square meters has been placed near the castle grounds.

Visiting hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Address: Meybod, Municipality Square

Entrance fee: 5,000 Tomans

Meybod Pigeon Tower

The Pigeon Tower of Meybod is another fascinating structure dating back to the Qajar era. Pigeon towers like this were once common across Iran—not only as shelters for birds but also as ingenious agricultural systems. Farmers collected pigeon droppings as a highly effective natural fertilizer to enrich their soil and crops. Unfortunately, with the rise of modern industrial farming focused more on quantity than quality, such sustainable practices have largely disappeared.

This circular, 8-meter-tall tower is made entirely of mudbrick. Its outer design is simple, but the interior features a stunning geometric lattice that accommodates around 4,000 pigeon nests across three levels. On the rooftop, four small corner towers and one central dome served as entry points for the birds. The walls were designed to be impenetrable to predators like snakes, owls, foxes, and rats, ensuring the pigeons’ safety.

The Pigeon Tower is recognized as one of Meybod’s key historical landmarks and was registered as a National Heritage Site on December 1, 1985 (No. 1691).

Visiting hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Address: Meybod, Basij Boulevard

Entrance fee: 5,000 Tomans

Mehrjerd Castle

Another notable historical fortress in Meybod is Mehrjerd Castle, originally part of a nearby village that was later absorbed into the city. When its residents left, the structure was repurposed as a storage space. The castle, dating back to the Afsharid and Zand dynasties, is one of Meybod’s remarkable desert fortresses.

Built entirely of mudbrick, the castle has three floors and five watchtowers—four at the corners and one above the southern gate. In the past, a deep moat surrounded the castle for defense, though no trace of it remains today. The floors are connected by stairways, and the main entrance is secured by a large wooden door.

Mehrjerd Castle was officially registered as a National Heritage Site of Iran on October 2, 2001 (No. 4132).

Visiting hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Address: Meybod, Ayatollah Haeri Street

Entrance fee: 5,000 Tomans

Shah Abbasi Caravanserai of Meybod

The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai of Meybod is one of the architectural masterpieces from the Safavid era. It is a four-ivan (courtyard) caravanserai with a square layout, featuring around 100 rooms, 24 of which are built around a central courtyard with a pool at its center. The entrance is located in a Sabat (a vaulted alley). The complex also includes a water reservoir, entrance vestibule (Hashti), courtyard, Sabat, ivan, pool house, Chapar Khaneh (post station), and ice house.

Today, parts of the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai have been transformed into a traditional restaurant, while other sections host the Zilu and Pottery Museum of Meybod.

The entrance of the caravanserai lies on the southwestern side, leading to the courtyard through the vestibule. The Meybod Cultural Heritage Office and the Document Center Library are also located in this historical structure. The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai was registered as a National Heritage Site of Iran on July 24, 1978, under registration number 1618.

Visiting Hours:
Daily: 8:00–10:30 a.m. and 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Qazi Mir Hossein Boulevard, opposite the Mudbrick Ice House
Entrance Fee: Free

Zilu & Pottery Museum of Meybod

Meybod is known as the city of clay and pottery, where these crafts have deep historical roots. The Zilu and Pottery Museums are located on the eastern side of the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai. The Zilu Museum is dedicated to traditional handwoven rugs known as Zilu. The oldest piece displayed dates back to the early 15th century, featuring a mihrab (prayer niche) design in blue, white, and red.

This museum was established through the efforts of local artists to preserve and revive the city’s traditional crafts. The main colors of Zilu artworks—red, blue, white, and green—have been used since the 15th century. Inside, there are active weaving workshops, where artisans demonstrate their skills to visitors. The museum connects to another section—the Pottery Museum of Meybod—which exhibits modern pottery and ceramic works inspired by ancient traditions.

Visiting Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Qazi Mir Hossein Blvd., opposite the Mudbrick Ice House, Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
Entrance Fee: 5,000 IRR

Jameh Mosque of Meybod

The Jameh Mosque of Meybod, covering about 3,000 square meters, was built over the remains of a mosque dating back to the 2nd century AH (8th century CE). Originally constructed as a hypostyle (columned) hall, the mosque was later expanded and redesigned into an ivan-and-dome structure through successive renovations.

This historical mosque consists of multiple sections, including the main dome chamber, winter and summer prayer halls, and smaller mosques such as Haji Hasan Ali Mosque and Imam Hasan Mosque. Its architectural peak occurred between the 7th and 9th centuries AH, especially during the Muzaffarid dynasty.

As an ivan-style mosque, it features diverse architectural elements and intricate details, making it one of Meybod’s most visited attractions. The mosque was registered as a National Heritage Site in 1977 under number 1347.

Visiting Hours: Daily, from dawn until after sunset prayers
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Basij Blvd., Imam Khomeini Blvd.
Entrance Fee: Free

Meybod Chapar Khaneh (Old Post Station)

The Meybod Chapar Khaneh dates back to the Qajar era and is a reminder of Iran’s early postal system. The building was restored over a 10-year period with the support of the Meybod Historical Monuments Association and the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization. During the Qajar period, this structure functioned as a royal post office, where letters and packages were dispatched to the capital and other cities.

Because it handled valuable deliveries, guard towers and small garrisons were later built to protect the area. Made mainly of mudbrick and clay, the structure features a central courtyard, stables, and covered resting areas for couriers, guards, and officers. Today, it serves as a museum, showcasing models of couriers, horses, stamps, and postal documents, along with a miniature replica of the original Chapar Khaneh.

It was registered as a National Heritage Site on August 10, 2000, under number 2767.

Visiting Hours:
Spring & Summer: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Autumn & Winter: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Qazi Mir Hossein Blvd., next to the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
Entrance Fee: 5,000 IRR

Meybod Mudbrick Ice House

The Meybod Ice House is one of the largest traditional mudbrick ice houses in Iran, dating back to before the 18th century. Before modern refrigeration, locals used this facility to produce and store ice during winter for use in summer.

Its main components include tall shading walls, a shallow ice-making pool, an ice reservoir, and a domed structure about 15 meters high. The shade wall, built with great precision, blocked sunlight from reaching the pool throughout the year, ensuring the freezing process. The pool was made of clay and silt to retain cold air, while the dome was designed to preserve the ice until warmer months.

The Meybod Ice House was listed as a National Heritage Site on January 6, 1997, under number 1826.

Visiting Hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Qazi Mir Hossein Blvd., opposite the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
Entrance Fee: 5,000 IRR

Meybod Water Reservoir (Ab Anbar-e Kalar)

The Kalar Water Reservoir, located opposite the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, adds remarkable charm to this historical area. As one of the most popular attractions in Meybod, this water reservoir dates back to the Safavid era. According to the inscription found on the structure, it was built in the year 1070 AH (1660 CE).

Traditionally, water reservoirs were built in central parts of cities to serve as essential sources of drinking water. The Meybod Kalar Water Reservoir consists of several key elements, including a cistern (storage tank), qanat (underground water channel), dome, pashir (water access point), and four windcatchers (badgirs). The building materials used in its construction are ash, lime, and sand. These reservoirs were primarily used to store and preserve drinking water, especially during dry seasons.

Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Yazd Province, Meybod, Qazi Mir Hossein Boulevard, opposite the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
Entrance Fee: Free

Location of the Kalar Water Reservoir

The Kalar Water Reservoir — one of the top historical attractions in Meybod

Final Word

Now that you’ve explored the most prominent attractions in Meybod, it’s time to plan your trip. While visiting Yazd, its famous landmarks and best restaurants, don’t miss the opportunity to take a short detour to Meybod. Most tourist attractions in Meybod are historical, making this ancient city a fascinating destination for history lovers. Walking through its narrow alleys feels like stepping back in time and exploring the living history of Iran.

If you’ve already visited this beautiful city, we’d love to hear from you!
Share your experiences and recommendations about Meybod’s lesser-known attractions in the comments below to help other travelers discover more hidden gems of this historical city.