Tour & Activity Scams in Shiraz, Iran

How it works

Touts operating near the Shiraz bazaar district and outside major hotels offer cut-price day tours to Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam, then inflate the price on arrival or deliver a poor-quality "guide" with no official credentials. The 60km drive from Shiraz creates a captive situation — once you are at the site, renegotiating fare or guide fees is extremely difficult. Some operators collect payment upfront and then fail to show up at the agreed time, leaving tourists stranded.

How it works

Men near the entrance to Hafezieh — the garden tomb of the poet Hafez in the Musalla district — offer unsolicited guiding services, claiming to be university literature professors or certified guides who will explain the Persian poetry inscriptions. After a 20–30 minute walk-through, they demand a fee of 500,000–3,000,000 IRR, far above any pre-agreed amount, and become aggressive or block the exit if the tourist refuses. Some operate in pairs, with one engaging the tourist and another blocking the path.

How it works

Similar to the Hafezieh scam, individuals near the tomb of the poet Saadi (Saadieh) in eastern Shiraz offer guiding services with no upfront fee discussion. The Saadi tomb complex is less visited than Hafezieh and has fewer official staff visible, making it easier for opportunists to operate. After a tour, guides demand 1,000,000–5,000,000 IRR and have been reported to follow tourists to their taxi if payment is refused, causing a public scene.