Shiraz, Iran
Ancient sites near Shiraz
1 archaeological and heritage site within 800 km of Shiraz, closest first. Distances are straight-line (“as the crow flies”); road journeys are longer.
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48km
Persepolis
Iran · founded c. 518 BCE · UNESCO
Columned halls and carved processions of tribute-bearers from across an empire.
Nearest town: Shiraz
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843km
Babylon
Iraq · height in the 6th c. BCE · UNESCO
One of the most famous cities of the ancient world, on the Euphrates south of Baghdad.
Nearest town: Hillah
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1,454km
Mehrgarh
Pakistan · c. 7000–2500 BCE
A Neolithic village where people grew barley and herded cattle thousands of years before the Indus cities.
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1,523km
Göbekli Tepe
Türkiye · c. 9500 BCE · UNESCO
Carved T-shaped pillars raised before farming, pottery or writing — and before Stonehenge by about 6,000 years.
Nearest town: Şanlıurfa · Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
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1,540km
Mohenjo-daro
Pakistan · c. 2500 BCE · UNESCO
The planned city of the Indus — grid streets, covered drains, a great bath, and no palace in sight.
Nearest town: Larkana · Best time to visit: November – February
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1,652km
Petra
Jordan · flourished c. 1st c. BCE – 1st c. CE · UNESCO
A Nabataean trading capital carved straight into rose-red sandstone cliffs.
Nearest town: Wadi Musa · Best time to visit: March – May, September – November
Day trips and distances from Shiraz
What is the closest ancient site to Shiraz?
Persepolis in Iran is about 48 km from Shiraz in a straight line; the nearest town is Shiraz.
Which ancient sites can I visit on a day trip from Shiraz?
Persepolis (about 48 km) are within roughly 150 km.