Qom (Persian: قم) is a holy city between Tehran and Isfahan. Qom is 120 km from Tehran.
Qom is one of the holiest cities in Iran and the Middle East, and has a very long history. A famous site is the Fatima È Massummeh Shrine, which is a highly respected shrine and a very clean place. People of different nationalities are allowed to enter the shrine, no matter what their religions are or where they come from.
Qom has for a long time been the main city for religious studies in Iran. Hozeye-Elmiye-Qom is the largest theology school in Iran. Many senior clerics of Shia Islam live in Qom.
- Jamkarân Mosque. The mosque is reserved for Muslims only.
- Mar'ashi Najafi Library, +98 25 3774 1970. Considered the third largest Islamic library with over 500,000 handwritten texts.
- Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh. The Holy Shrine is the burial place of "Fatema È Massumeh". Also buried within the shrine are three daughters of ninth, Twelver Shī‘ah Imām, Muhammad at-Taqī. Women must wear a chador to enter. Foreigners need to be accompanied by a free guide. Free entry.
- Howzeh lake. Rich in natural spring water which is said to purify the heart.
- Feyze seminary. A place where devout Muslims gather to meet and hear speeches from the religious leaders.
- Religion University, +98 25 3280 2610.
- Qom Handicraft Museum, 19 Dey(Baajak) street, Alley #11, Number 15, +98 25 377 404 92. 08:00-14:00. This magnificent museum is located at Yazdan Panah House belonging to the late Qajar and early Pahlav (with back nearly 120 years).
- National Kavir Park.
Jamkarân Mosque. The mosque is reserved for Muslims only.
Mar'ashi Najafi Library, +98 25 3774 1970. Considered the third largest Islamic library with over 500,000 handwritten texts.
Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh. The Holy Shrine is the burial place of "Fatema È Massumeh". Also buried within the shrine are three daughters of ninth, Twelver Shī‘ah Imām, Muhammad at-Taqī. Women must wear a chador to enter. Foreigners need to be accompanied by a free guide. Free entry.
Howzeh lake. Rich in natural spring water which is said to purify the heart.
Feyze seminary. A place where devout Muslims gather to meet and hear speeches from the religious leaders.
Religion University, +98 25 3280 2610.
Qom Handicraft Museum, 19 Dey(Baajak) street, Alley #11, Number 15, +98 25 377 404 92. 08:00-14:00. This magnificent museum is located at Yazdan Panah House belonging to the late Qajar and early Pahlav (with back nearly 120 years).
National Kavir Park.
Qom has many carpet and sweet shops. Qom is famous for it's "sohân" (Persian: سوهان), a flat sweet biscuit made of pistachios and saffron. "Gaz" (Persian: گز), a nougat sweet is also available. Qom is also known for its unique and beautiful silk rugs. As one of Islam's holy cities, there are numerous religious shops which sell religious books, versions of the Koran and compact discs.
There are lots of places to eat in Qom which range from old-style Persian restaurants to international restaurants. Persian restaurants offer a more authentic cultural atmosphere than international restaurants. Most of the restaurants with good quality of food and environmental conditions are in Mohamad Amin Blv. which is recognizable by its tall compact trees. Places include Alborz, Madain, Morvârid, Jam and Markazi. You can find kabâb, grilled chicken and fried fish there. Dizi Baar (serving âbgusht) and Lebanese restaurants are located on Al-Qadir Boulevard and Mohamad Amin Boulevard.
In Qom, there are various cafes and fruit juice shops. Pomegranate juice is popular and is said to heal the sick. In the winter when it snows, hot chocolate and Persian tea (châi) are available.
Qom is one of the holiest cities in Iran and the Middle East, and as such be aware that Islamic customs and values are more likely to be important here than elsewhere in Iran. Don't let this worry you at all: ensure that you are respectful of religious and cultural practices and that you are dressed appropriately and modestly.
See the warnings at Iran#Stay safe.
Tehran – 120 km from Qom. Capital and largest city of Iran.
Yazd – 500 km from Qom. If you feel like visiting another quintessential Persian city, you can visit Yazd, a beautiful ancient one.
Isfahan – 300 km from Qom. Another option and a very beautiful city, considered to be one of the oldest and most historic cities in the world.
Na’in – 300 km from Qom. It's a small and quiet town at the edge of the desert to the south. You can cycle around and visit inside the Qanat or the underground man-made caves. To get there, ask for the bus to Yazd, Kerman or Zahedan and ask the driver to get you off at Na'in.