Tehran in February

February weather, activities, events & insider tips

February Weather in Tehran

10°C (50°F) High Temp

3°C (37°F) Low Temp

33 mm (1.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Clear pollution-free air - Tehran's notorious smog disappears with winter winds, revealing impressive Alborz mountain views from every neighborhood
Authentic local experience - February is when Tehranis live their real daily lives, not tourist season behaviors. Coffee houses buzz with intellectual discussions, traditional bathhouses operate at full capacity
Incredible value for money - Hotel rates drop 40-60% from peak season. Traditional restaurants offer hearty winter stews (ash-e reshteh, ghormeh sabzi) at local prices without tourist markup
Perfect skiing conditions - Tochal and Dizin ski resorts, just 1-2 hours (50-120 km/31-75 miles) from city center, have peak powder snow and minimal crowds compared to European Alps

Considerations

Harsh cold requires serious winter gear - Temperatures regularly drop below freezing, and mountain winds make it feel 5-7°C (9-13°F) colder than actual temperature
Limited daylight for sightseeing - Sun sets by 6pm, meaning outdoor activities must be planned for 10am-4pm window to avoid bitter cold
Snow can disrupt transportation - 2-3 significant snowfalls per February can close mountain roads to ski resorts and delay domestic flights for 24-48 hours

Best Activities in February

Traditional Bathhouse Experiences

February is peak season for Tehran's historic hammams when locals escape the cold. These 300-year-old bathhouses like Ganj Ali Khan become social centers with traditional scrub treatments, herbal steam rooms, and communal relaxation areas. Winter is when these spaces are most authentic - filled with locals rather than tourists.

Booking Tip: Visit between 2-6pm for full traditional experience. Entry typically costs 200,000-400,000 IRR. Book massage treatments 24 hours ahead. Look for bathhouses with traditional architecture and local clientele rather than modernized tourist versions.

Alborz Mountain Skiing and Winter Sports

February offers Tehran's best ski conditions with 150-200 cm (59-79 inches) of powder snow at Tochal and Dizin resorts. The proximity is unmatched globally - from downtown Tehran to ski slopes in 90 minutes. Tochal's gondola system provides spectacular city views, while Dizin offers advanced runs comparable to European resorts at fraction of the cost.

Booking Tip: Book ski packages 7-10 days ahead including transportation, equipment, and lift tickets for 1,500,000-2,500,000 IRR per day. Choose operators with proper winter vehicle equipment and English-speaking guides. See current options in booking section below.

Winter Food Market Tours and Cooking Classes

February showcases Tehran's incredible winter cuisine - thick pomegranate stews, saffron rice dishes, and warming herb mixtures unavailable in summer. Grand Bazaar's spice section becomes a sensory explosion with winter medicinal herbs, while local restaurants serve seasonal specialties like fesenjan and ash-e anar that tourists rarely discover.

Booking Tip: Join morning market tours starting 9am when vendors are most active and willing to explain seasonal ingredients. Cooking classes typically cost 800,000-1,200,000 IRR including meal. Book with operators who focus on traditional winter recipes rather than generic Persian cooking.

Museum and Cultural Complex Visits

February's cold weather makes this ideal for Tehran's world-class indoor cultural sites. National Museum Of Iran, Carpet Museum, and Contemporary Yaounde are uncrowded, allowing intimate experiences with priceless collections. Sa'dabad Complex's 18 palaces are particularly beautiful surrounded by snow-covered gardens.

Booking Tip: Purchase museum passes for 500,000-800,000 IRR covering multiple sites. Visit 10am-2pm for best lighting and fewer crowds. Many museums offer free guided tours in English on weekdays - inquire at entrance. Transportation between museum clusters costs 100,000-200,000 IRR via shared taxi.

Traditional Tea House Cultural Experiences

Winter transforms Tehran's traditional tea houses into cozy cultural hubs where locals gather for backgammon, poetry readings, and philosophical discussions. These spaces, heated by ornate samovar systems, offer authentic glimpses into Persian intellectual culture while serving winter-specific teas blended with saffron and cardamom.

Booking Tip: Arrive after 3pm when locals begin afternoon tea ritual. Traditional tea houses charge 150,000-300,000 IRR for tea service with sweets. Choose locations in older neighborhoods like Udlajan or around University of Tehran for most real feels. No advance booking needed.

Milad Tower and City Viewpoint Tours

February's clear, pollution-free air provides unprecedented views of Tehran and surrounding Alborz mountains from the 435m (1,427 ft) Milad Tower. Winter visibility extends 50-80 km (31-50 miles) compared to summer's 5-10 km (3-6 miles). Snow-capped peaks create dramatic backdrops for photography impossible during other seasons.

Booking Tip: Visit during golden hour 3-5pm for best mountain photography. Tower access costs 300,000-500,000 IRR including observation deck and revolving restaurant options. Book sunset dinner reservations 48 hours ahead for premium viewing experience. Clear weather windows last 2-3 days after snowfall.

February Events & Festivals

Early February

Fajr International Film Festival

Iran's most prestigious film festival showcases international and Iranian cinema across multiple Tehran venues. This 10-day celebration features premieres, director discussions, and cultural exhibitions that provide unique insights into contemporary Iranian artistic expression.

Mid February

Winter Rose Festival at Golestan Palace

Despite winter weather, Golestan Palace's greenhouse maintains spectacular rose displays while outdoor gardens feature winter-blooming varieties. Special exhibitions highlight traditional Persian garden design and horticultural techniques developed for harsh mountain climates.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots with grip soles - Tehran's sidewalks become icy, especially in northern neighborhoods near mountains

Thermal base layers - Essential for temperatures dropping to 3°C (37°F) with wind chill making it feel like -3°C (27°F)

Heavy winter coat rated for -10°C (14°F) - Mountain winds make temperatures feel much colder than forecast

Waterproof gloves and warm hat - Frostbite risk is real during early morning and evening hours

Wool socks and warm sleepwear - Many traditional accommodations have limited heating

Portable phone charger - Cold weather drains batteries 40-50% faster than normal

Lip balm and heavy moisturizer - Dry mountain air causes rapid skin dehydration

Sunglasses for snow glare - UV index of 3 intensifies significantly with snow reflection at altitude

Emergency snacks - Winter weather can delay meal plans when transportation is affected

Cash in small bills - Many traditional winter venues (bathhouses, tea houses) don't accept cards

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in central Tehran rather than northern districts - Northern areas are 3-5°C (5-9°F) colder due to mountain proximity and have less reliable heating systems

Download offline maps and translation apps - Cold weather drains phone batteries quickly, and many locals helping with directions don't speak English in winter when tourist infrastructure scales back

Carry tissues and hand warmers - Dry winter air causes constant runny noses, and many public facilities reduce heating to save costs during low tourist season

Time indoor activities for afternoon prayer times (12-2pm) when many shops close - Use this period for museum visits or tea houses that remain open while street-level retail shuts down

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating the cold - Many visitors pack for 'Middle Eastern weather' and are shocked by sub-freezing temperatures and mountain winds that make it feel much colder

Planning too many outdoor activities - With sunset at 6pm and bitter morning temperatures, outdoor sightseeing window is only 10am-4pm, requiring careful scheduling

Not checking ski resort conditions - Snow storms can close mountain access roads for 24-48 hours, disrupting pre-paid ski excursions without refund options