Asia Iran Travel

Bursting with colors. Pink Mosque in Shiraz.

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz

The Pink Mosque in Shiraz was actually one of the reasons why we ended up in Iran. We were so excited to see it! Faster, faster… Michal was chasing me all the way. We got lost in the narrows streets of the bazaar once again. Poor quality map from the guidebook wasn’t helping much. With every step we made, frustration was growing. During such an early hour, there was no one on the streets. In my head, I had one thought: We must be there before 9! Finally, we noticed a man discharging lazily boxes full of oranges. With despair in our eyes, we run to him together: How to get to Masjed-e Nasir al Mulk? Apparently, we weren’t the first ones lost there. He only smiled indulgently and pointed: here.

It turned out that we were wandering around it for a long time… To excuse us, we must add that this mosque from the outside looks rather modest, like any other temple in this city, squeezed between not very eye-catching buildings. We simply didn’t expect that the most picture-perfect mosque in the world might look so unimpressive! But let’s be honest – it’s not the façade which attracts hundreds of photographers from around the world, but the extraordinary, full of the magic interior.

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - colourful walls

INSIDE THE NASIR AL MULK MOSQUE a.k.a. PINK MOSQUE IN SHIRAZ

It wasn’t different for us. I must admit that thanks to photographs from this place, we started thinking about taking a trip to Iran. The interior of XIX century Nasir al Mulk mosque is decorated with pink tiles, hence it is often called the Pink Mosque. However, most impressive are stained-glass windows in the winter prayer hall. The rising sun makes the whole room bursting with colors like in a kaleidoscope. Delicate, slightly hazy colorful rays of light lazily crawl on Persian carpets underneath the windows. The whole interior seems a little unreal, like in a Disney fairy tale… We didn’t expect that looks so spectacular! There are few places in the world that even though you could see it on hundreds of photos, they will impress when you actually see it.

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - stained glass

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - interiors

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - kaleidoscope

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NASIR AL MULK MOSQUE?

About 11 a.m. magic begins to slowly disappear – the sun is too high above the horizon. We came around 9 a.m. and only to find a crowd of people… Everyone tried to make the perfect picture of colorful lights. It somehow turned into an amusing scene, when some people tried to take a picture, while not spoiling the effect by shadows of other photographers… Some Asian tourists who went all in and put white chador on, took pictures while pretending to be praying. Overall, it looked a bit funny. All in all, we had to wait a little longer to take our pics – after 10 a.m. tourists began to leave, and we could quietly soak up in the unique interior. We would also advise you to come here around 10 when there are fewer tourists, but the effect still persists.

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - stained glass interiors

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz interiors

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - stained glass

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - decor

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - pink walls

PINK MOSQUE IN SHIRAZ – PRACTICAL HINTS

How much time do you need? 1,5 – 2h, the mosque is open at 8 a.m. 

How to get to Pink Mosque in Shiraz? The mosque is located a few streets away from the Bazar-e Vakil at Loft Ali Khan Blvd, but in the maze of streets, you can easily miss its surprisingly ordinary looking façade – it’s best to ask someone for directions, maps in guidebooks are unfortunately not the best.

Fee: 16 000 tomans/ 4 EUR per person. Man at the entrance collects postcards from around the world, it would be nice if you share some from your country with him 😉

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - pink interiors

pink mosque in shiraz - nasir al mulk mosque in shiraz - stained glass

Have you ever been to Pink Mosque in Shiraz? Read more about our other adventures in Iran!

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Incredible photos and your guide to Nasir al Mulk Mosque! How to plan your visit to the Pink Mosque in Shiraz?

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35 Comments

  • Reply
    Itinera magica
    February 25, 2017 at 09:21

    I love this! It looks incredible!

  • Reply
    ellisveen
    February 25, 2017 at 09:31

    I also got lost there wandering around trying to find the mosque. Beautiful pictures. I loved Shiraz.

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:28

      I know… it’s pretty hidden and looks reeealy modest from the outside…

  • Reply
    ilsej2014
    February 25, 2017 at 09:38

    This place looks amazing! I have never seen it before. Thank you for posting this – I am definitely adding it to my bucket list!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:27

      Haha, glad we could help 😉

  • Reply
    Caroline
    February 25, 2017 at 09:41

    This is beautiful. The colours! If it looks like this in photos, it must be spectacular in person.

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:27

      Yes, really, I think the other thing which impressed me so much lately was the Grand Canyon!

  • Reply
    Cory Varga
    February 25, 2017 at 09:46

    Are those colours even real??? This is the most beautiful mosque I’ve ever seen. On my bucket list right now!!!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:22

      Haha, it’s even better than in the pics! 🙂

  • Reply
    Ricarda Christina Hollweg
    February 25, 2017 at 09:53

    I’ve been thinking for some time already about visiting Iran. Your beautiful photography makes me want to go even more. Great work and inspiration!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:22

      Thank you dear! Definitely should land on your bucket list 🙂

  • Reply
    Jollies and Jaunts
    February 25, 2017 at 10:33

    Wow, what an absolutely stunning building. The windows are gorgeous!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:21

      I know, right? 😀

  • Reply
    Alex
    February 25, 2017 at 11:23

    Lovely! You’re lucky to have seen it in the winter months — when I was there in May the sun’s position meant the colored light was much less dramatic, and it didn’t really touch the floor. All the more reason to come back, eh?

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 11:30

      Oh, really? Good to know… To be honest I was shocked how intense these colours are… Yes, you’re right, probably the good position of the sun made it like this 😉

  • Reply
    Birthe (from Wandering the World)
    February 25, 2017 at 12:14

    Stunning photos! We’ll definitely be visiting when we make it to Iran one day. Love how you thought about including that man collecting postcards from around the world. 😉

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 12:56

      Haha, thank you, it’s always nice to share a piece of your country with someone at the other end of the world 😉

  • Reply
    Kate @ Love from Scotland
    February 25, 2017 at 12:15

    So beautiful! The colours really are amazing – and a nice guide to visiting!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 12:56

      Thank you, was trying my best 😉

  • Reply
    Cassidy's Adventures
    February 25, 2017 at 12:21

    Wow, this is just stunning! I would love to travel here one day. I especially love how the stained glass reflects onto the rest of the interior. Thanks for sharing! I am adding it to my travel list!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 12:57

      They are really amazing, the whole room looks like a fairytale…

  • Reply
    lhelmbre
    February 25, 2017 at 12:30

    Wow! These pictures are unreal! What a beautiful experience that must have been!

  • Reply
    yogawinetravel
    February 25, 2017 at 15:42

    I can’t get over how vivid these colours are! I’ve been hearing amazing things about Iran – I’d love to visit one day!

  • Reply
    GirlAstray
    February 25, 2017 at 15:53

    This looks so amazingly beautiful! I would just love to visit <3

  • Reply
    Sheena
    February 25, 2017 at 15:54

    I got to tell you this has to be one of the most visually appealing blogs I’ve read today 🙂 Love the colors.

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 18:54

      Awww, thanks! Nice to hear that 😀

  • Reply
    Kristine
    February 25, 2017 at 16:03

    Super stunning! The colors, the lights, the shadows; my heart would have leaped out if I were there! Great photos you took and wonderful travel pointers shared!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 18:54

      Haha, glad you liked it 😉

  • Reply
    Alina from Reverie Chaser
    February 25, 2017 at 17:05

    What a stunning place! I hope I can visit Iran some day, as I have heard so many wonderful stories about this country!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 18:53

      Yes, it’s totally different place than that described usually by media…

  • Reply
    nicolelabargecm
    February 25, 2017 at 18:28

    Oh I can’t wait to go to Iran. So amazing.

  • Reply
    Sky Fisher (@skyvsworld)
    February 25, 2017 at 19:51

    This is beyond beautiful! It makes me regret not going to Iran when I had the chance!

    • Reply
      Magda
      February 25, 2017 at 20:11

      Maybe next time it will work out! It’s a destination a bit off the beaten track, but amazed us much more than those “touristy” ones!

  • Reply
    Felicia Broccolo
    February 26, 2017 at 01:03

    This is seriously one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen! I need to go!

  • Reply
    ivanaabroad
    March 1, 2017 at 05:16

    Wow, this is so incredibly beautiful! Arab architecture never fails to astound me.

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