Tehran in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

July Weather in Tehran

36°C (97°F) High Temp

25°C (77°F) Low Temp

25 mm (1.0 inch) Rainfall

30% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect bazaar weather - dry conditions mean covered markets like Grand Bazaar and Tajrish are comfortable refuges with 10°C (18°F) cooler temperatures inside
Exceptional mountain escape opportunities - Tochal cable car reaches 3,740m (12,270ft) where temperatures drop to 15°C (59°F), providing dramatic relief from city heat
Peak pomegranate and melon season - July brings the sweetest Yalda melons and early pomegranates at 60% lower prices than winter, best experienced at dawn fruit markets
Extended daylight until 8:15pm allows for ambitious sightseeing schedules with strategic timing around midday heat

Considerations

Brutal midday heat 12pm-4pm makes outdoor sightseeing dangerous - temperatures reach 45°C (113°F) on pavement, requiring complete schedule restructuring
Air pollution intensifies in stagnant heat conditions, creating hazardous AQI levels above 150 on 40% of July days
Many locals escape to Caspian Sea, reducing authentic neighborhood life and closing some family-run traditional restaurants

Best Activities in July

Alborz Mountains Day Escapes

July's extreme heat makes mountain retreats essential rather than optional. Tochal offers 20°C (36°F) temperature drops via cable car, while Darband hiking trails provide shaded streams. Best tackled 6am-10am before heat builds. The contrast between scorching city and cool mountain air is most dramatic in July.

Booking Tip: Book mountain transport 3-5 days ahead during July peak. Cable car tickets typically cost 180,000-250,000 IRR. Start before 7am to avoid afternoon heat and crowds. See current mountain tour options in booking section below.

Traditional Bazaar look ats

July heat makes Tehran's covered bazaars perfect sanctuaries. Grand Bazaar maintains 25°C (77°F) while streets hit 40°C (104°F). Traditional architecture creates natural cooling. July brings carpet weaving demonstrations as artisans work indoors. Navigate during 10am-2pm when outdoor sightseeing is impossible.

Booking Tip: Self-guided bazaar exploration works best, but cultural context tours enhance understanding. Expect to spend 3-4 hours minimum. Tours typically cost 800,000-1,200,000 IRR including tea breaks. Book through certified cultural guides.

Underground Iran Tours

July heat drives smart travelers underground. Tehran's subway system connects major museums with air conditioning. Underground archaeological sites at Reza Abbasi Museum stay naturally cool. Traditional ab-anbars (water reservoirs) offer unique cooling architecture tours. Perfect for hottest parts of day.

Booking Tip: Metro day passes cost 50,000 IRR and provide cool transport between sites. Underground cultural tours typically run 600,000-900,000 IRR for 3-hour experiences. Book morning slots 9am-11am before surface heat peaks.

Dawn and Dusk Photo Walks

July's harsh light creates impressive golden hour opportunities. Sunrise at 5:45am provides 2-hour comfortable shooting window. Architecture photography excels in dramatic shadows. Evening light from 7pm-9pm transforms smoggy haze into ethereal backdrops. Azadi Tower and Milad Tower best captured during these cooler periods.

Booking Tip: Photography walks typically cost 700,000-1,000,000 IRR for 4-hour sessions. Book guides who know seasonal lighting patterns. Equipment rental available for 200,000-300,000 IRR daily. Early morning tours most comfortable.

Indoor Cultural Immersion

July forces indoor exploration, revealing Tehran's exceptional museum scene. Carpet Museum, Contemporary Yaounde, and Banjul offer world-class air-conditioned experiences. Traditional tea houses become cooling social hubs. Hammams (traditional baths) provide authentic cultural relief from heat.

Booking Tip: Museum combination tickets save 30-40% and include transport. Full-day cultural tours typically cost 1,200,000-1,800,000 IRR with lunch in cooled restaurants. Book skip-the-line access during peak visitor hours 11am-3pm.

Evening Food Market Tours

July heat shifts food culture to evening markets opening after 6pm. Tajrish Night Bazaar comes alive with seasonal fruits, while rooftop restaurants offer cooler dining 8pm-midnight. Traditional ice cream (bastani) vendors peak during July heat. Street food tours become evening affairs with 15°C (27°F) temperature drops.

Booking Tip: Food tours typically cost 900,000-1,400,000 IRR including tastings and transport. Evening markets best explored 7pm-10pm. Book tours including traditional cooling drinks and seasonal specialties specific to July heat.

July Events & Festivals

Early to Mid July

Yalda Fruit Festival Preparations

Early July marks preparation season for Yalda celebrations with first summer pomegranates and premium melons arriving at wholesale markets. Traditional fruit carving demonstrations and preservation workshops occur in bazaars.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Wide-brimmed hat with UV protection - July UV index hits 11, causing burns within 10 minutes

Lightweight long pants in linen or cotton - shorts inappropriate for mosque visits, plus fabric provides cooling evaporation

Portable battery fan - essential for metro wait times and outdoor queues during 40°C (104°F) heat

Electrolyte tablets or powder - dehydration happens rapidly in 30% humidity with 11-hour sun exposure

Cooling towel or bandana - soak in fountains throughout city for neck cooling relief

Insulated water bottle 1.5L (50oz) minimum - refill at mosques and museums, need 3-4L (100oz) daily hydration

Sunscreen SPF 50+ zinc-based - reapply every 90 minutes, Iranian sun reflects intensely off concrete

Light rain jacket - July brings 2 sudden thunderstorms that cool temperatures by 8°C (14°F)

Comfortable closed-toe shoes with thick soles - pavement reaches 60°C (140°F), melting thin rubber

Portable shade umbrella - provides 5°C (9°F) temperature difference during unavoidable outdoor walking

Insider Knowledge

Tehran natives follow 'siesta schedule' in July - shops close 1pm-5pm, restaurants reopen 7pm. Plan accordingly or face closed doors during peak heat.

Mosque courtyards have free air conditioning and fountains for cooling breaks. Remove shoes, wet feet in fountains - culturally accepted heat relief method.

Buy fruits at 5am wholesale markets near Tehran Railway Station - prices 70% lower than tourist areas, plus melons and pomegranates at peak ripeness.

Metro Line 4 connects all major tourist sites with 20°C (36°F) cooling relief. Day passes cost 50,000 IRR versus 400,000 IRR for taxis in traffic with spotty AC.

Avoid These Mistakes

Scheduling outdoor activities between 11am-5pm when pavement temperature hits 60°C (140°F) - this causes dangerous overheating and ruins planned sightseeing

Underestimating water needs - tourists require 4L (135oz) daily in July heat but only pack small bottles, leading to dehydration headaches by noon

Wearing synthetic fabrics that trap sweat in 30% humidity - cotton and linen provide essential evaporative cooling that can feel 5°C (9°F) cooler