Borujerd
Introduction
Borujerd is a city in the Central District of Borujerd County, in Lorestan province in western Iran. It serves as the capital of both the county and the district, which makes it an administrative centre for the surrounding area.
Before you go
Before you go to Borujerd, it helps to know what language you will hear and how you will get by. The local speech is Borujerdi, an accent of Persian and Lori, and Persian is understood and used easily across the city. English is not spoken frequently by average people, so carry a phrasebook or translation app; the many university students in the city may be a chance for finding help.
- Iran in general, and Borujerd, are generally very safe for travelers, but you should always avoid scams.
- Avoid traveling alone in villages or among tribes.
- Visit natural scenes in daytime with your friends.
- Do not use unauthorized cars that work as taxis.
- Call the police on 110 in an emergency.
Getting there
Borujerd has no public airport, so if you are flying in, the closest options are the airports at Khorram Abad and Hamadan, from where you continue overland. The easiest approach by rail is via Dorud, which sits on the national railway line; from there Borujerd is 45 km to the northwest, reached in about 40 minutes by minibus or a little less in a hired taxi.
By road, Borujerd sits in Lorestan, the province between Tehran and Khoozestan, on paved and reliable highways. Driving from Tehran takes around four hours along a 396-km route that is mostly freeway and highway, with Qom and Arak the main cities in between. Frequent buses also connect Borujerd to many Iranian cities, with Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahwaz, Khorram Abad, Hamadan and Kermanshah among the main ones with regular services.
Getting around
Inside Borujerd, the practical ways to move around are the public bus system, shared taxis and telephone taxis. There is no rail, metro or tram network in the city, so buses and taxis cover the ground; walking works well for short distances in the city centre and pairs naturally with the bus and taxi network for longer trips. If you arrive in the region by train, the nearest rail connection is at Dorud, southeast of Borujerd and once part of Borujerd county, from where the onward trip takes about 40 minutes by minibus, or less if you hire a taxi.
Taxis are flexible and widely used, in two main forms: shared taxis and telephone taxis. You can also hire a registered taxi for the whole day, or for short distances, and payments should be made in rials, so keep local currency on hand rather than relying on foreign cash or cards. Bear the climate in mind when planning on foot: Borujerd has a moderate climate with cold winters, and snowfall can sometimes be heavy enough to close schools in the county and disturb road access to villages, so in the colder months expect snow and ice to affect walking conditions and fall back on taxis or buses when the weather turns.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Borujerd is limited, so it pays to plan ahead. The four-star Zagros hotel is generally considered the best option, set on top of Chogha Hill, where you get the finest views over the city and, in season, the snow-covered mountains. Rooms and surroundings are pleasant, though this is the pricier end of the scale. If you are watching your budget, Esteghlal Hotel on Bahar Street is a cheaper alternative. A handful of guesthouses can also be found around Takhti St., Shohada and Razan Square, giving you a few more modest places to base yourself.Food & drink
In Borujerd you will find a city with a solid reputation for its food. Kebab is a must-eat, along with the local bread and ice cream. Make sure you also try the local halva and sweets while you are here. As elsewhere in Iran, no alcohol is served unless a local friend offers it to you, but soft drinks and bottled water are easy to find. Doogh, the yoghurt drink, is very popular in Lorestan, and Borujerd also offers a good selection of ash, the various Iranian soups.What to see and do
Borujerd blends historical and natural attractions, so you can move between mosques, bazaars and mountain scenery in a single visit. Among the historical sights, the Jameh Mosque is the oldest mosque in western Iran, dating to the 10th century, while the larger Soltani Mosque was built in the 19th century during the Qajar era. The Imamzadeh Ja'far mausoleum, dating to the 11th century and dedicated to a grandson of the fourth Shi'i Imam, is one of the few examples of Seljuk architecture in Iran. You can also visit Imamzadeh Ghasem, Shahzadeh Abolhasan, the Great Bazaar, the Tomb of Zavvarian a short distance north of the city, and the Sametieh tomb of the poet Samet. More than thirty old houses from the Qajar era are distributed through the Sufian suburb. For a sense of local life, walk the busy lanes of the bazaar, where you can see and get to know the tribal Lurs, or stroll Shohada, Takhti and Bahar streets in the evenings with local friends. Outdoors, Fadak Garden, the Samovar Park with its samovar statue, and the Kuche Bagghi gardens and farmlands offer places to relax, while Chogha Hill gives a view over the city and the Zagros Mountains; a short afternoon hike up it rewards you with day and night views. The Goldasht valley lies a few kilometres west of the city, and the village of Vennai in the Garrin Mountains is tourist-friendly, a good spot to spend half a day and try local pickled cucumber. Climbers can head to Garrin or Oshtorankuh, and Gahar Lake lies to the south. If you are around during Muharram or Nowruz, photograph or film the local festivals.When to go
Borujerd has a Mediterranean climate, so the timing of your visit shapes what you can do. Most of the year's rain and snow falls from November to April, making the colder months wet and often snowy. Winter snowfall can be heavy enough to close schools and disrupt road access to villages, so expect cold conditions and possible snow, especially at higher elevations.
- If you want dry weather, aim for summer: the season is dry and very hot, with little of the year's rain falling in this stretch.
- Summer is also when the snow-capped Zagros peaks remain a draw and nomads move to the mountain foothills.
Three days in Borujerd
Day one: Arrive in Borujerd and get your bearings in the Central District, the heart of Borujerd County in Lorestan. Take a taxi or walk the streets to get a feel for the city, where Persian and Lori are spoken and English is less common, so a few words of Persian go a long way. In the afternoon, head up Chogha Hill for views over the city and the surrounding Zagros mountains. Bear in mind that taxis are the easiest way to get around inside Borujerd, and that accommodation is limited, so sort out where you are staying before you arrive.
Day two: Use Borujerd as a base for exploring the wider region. Khorram Abad, Dorud, Hamadan and Kermanshah are all within reach, and driving is the most practical way to cover the distances. If you prefer public transport, frequent Iranian buses connect Borujerd with cities such as Tehran, Qom, Arak, Isfahan, Shiraz, Ahwaz and Khoozestan. Avoid trying to fit too much into one day; the roads through the Zagros are slow and the scenery deserves your attention.
Day three: Spend your last day in and around Borujerd itself. Visit the Borujerdi sites and take in the everyday life of the Central District before you leave. Do call ahead if you are relying on a specific service, as opening arrangements can be unpredictable. Before departing, confirm your onward transport, whether by taxi, bus or your own car, and allow extra time for the drive out of Lorestan.