Bushehr
Iran · Asia
About Bushehr
Bushehrɾ] ) is a port city in the Central District of Bushehr County, Bushehr province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county and the district.
The roots of the name "Bushehr" are uncertain. It is unlikely that it is derived from Abū Šahr ("father of the city"), a theory which remains popular. It may be an abbreviation of Bokht-Ardashir ("Ardashir has given"), though this is not backed by conclusive evidence.. Scholars such as Zana Salehrad argue that the name Bushehr may come from an ancient Persian root, possibly "Būsh" meaning "fort" or "stronghold," combined with "Her" meaning "place" or "settlement." This theory suggests that Bushehr was originally recognized as a fortified coastal settlement, protecting trade routes along the Persian Gulf. Its strategic location and natural harbor made it an important center for commerce, defense, and maritime activity throughout history. In this sense, the name Bushehr reflects both the city's strength and its enduring connection to the sea and the people who relied on it for livelihood.
A number of alleged premodern references to Bushehr, including the first...
Bushehr travel guide
Understand
Bushehr was the main trade center of Iran in the past centuries. The city structures are traditional in style, modest in proportion and cost. Due to its lack of rail connection to the interior of the country and its shallow anchorage, it has lost its position as the primary port of Iran.
Getting there
By plane There are international flights to Kuwait and Dubai and domestic flights to Tehran, Isfahan and Mashad.
By train A railroad has just been started from Shiraz. It will be finished in a few years.
By car There is a good highway to Shiraz.
By bus There are buses to Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Tehran and other major cities of Iran.
By boat Apart from enterprising fishermen, there are no domestic boat services from Bushehr. However, the Valfajre-8 shipping company operates (in theory, though not always in practice) to Qatar (one way US$50, Mondays), Bahrain (US$45, seven to eight hours, Mondays) and Kuwait (US$70, seven to eight hours, Wednesdays).
Getting around
Getting around this place is a little bit fun. It's fun because most of the times you will enjoy Bushehr by foot.
See
1 Saint George Church. Built in 1819. (updated Jan 2023) The Old city Ruins of British Consulate
Do
Do speed boat riding, You can find speedboats anywhere along the coast and a 10 minutes ride will cost 30,000 rials.
Buy
Local street food. Locals take huge responsibility for hygiene. Go and Enjoy.
Eat
Budget
Mid-range 1 Ghavam Restaurant, Khalije Fars Street. Persian restaurant incorporating seafood like fish and shrimp to kebabs to little fritters. Get your fill of Persian Gulf breezes and views while you're here.
Splurge
Sleep
Budget 1 Soroush Apartment Hotel (هتل اپارتمان سروش), corner of Yashoor and Yadeghar-e-Emam, ☏ +98 917 201 0090. People are welcome to sit on the upholstered furniture scattered about the main floor. (updated Feb 2021) 2 Plus Hotel (هتل پلاس), on Nawab-e-Sawafi, ☏ +98 77 3332 2018. Here some of the rooms have 3 beds for some reason, and there are little rugs scattered about. Restaurant on premises. (updated Feb 2021)
Mid-range 3 Delvar Hotel (هتل جهانگردی دلوار بوشهر), on Varzesh. This one is all lit up with blue lights at night showing off its pyramidal shape. Breakfast buffet may offer an array of options if it hasn't been raided already. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Khane Moallem Hotel, corner of Varzesh and Shahid Shahriyari, ☏ +98 77 3333 1260. Here they can stash you in away in the room behind their restaurant. (updated Feb 2021)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.