Jamshidieh Park
which is in the Niavaran district at the base of the Kolakchal Mountain, is one of the most picturesque and beautiful parks in Tehran. Mellat Park in Valiasr street is one of the largest recreation areas in the Middle-East. Niavaran Park is one of Tehran's famous and most pleasant public city parks. It is located within the Niavaran district and is situated immediately south of the Niavaran Palace Complex. Additionally there are some large parks called "park-e-jangali" literally "forest park" around and some inside the city which are very popular among the locals for picnic. The most famous one is Chitgar in the west of the city and is accessible via Karaj road.
The Azadi Tower
has been the longstanding symbol of Tehran. It was constructed to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian empire, combines elements of Sassanid and Islamic architecture. The entrance of the tower is directly underneath the main vault and leads into the Azadi Museum on the basement floor.If you want to drool over gold and glitter, take a look at the Treasury of the National Jewels Ferdosi St, near the corner of Jomhuriyeh Eslami Ave; Metro: Saadi; look for the heavy iron gate and rife wielding guards beside the Central Bank. Open Sa, Su, M, Tu 2PM-4:30PM. For the 30,000 rials admission fee you'll get to see a collection of some of the most expensive jewels in the world. Highlights include the world's largest uncut ruby, the world's largest pink diamond the Sea of Light and a free standing golden globe made from 34 kilograms of gold and an astounding 51,366 precious stones. An informative 6,000 rials information book is available at the ticket counter.
The National Museum of Iran (http://www.nationalmuseum...) has ceramics, stone figures and carvings dating all the way back to around the 5th millennium BC. It is the combination of two museums, the old building dedicated pre-Islamic collection dating from Neolithic all the way to the Sassanid period and the new building dedicated to Iran's 1,400-year Islamic history.
The gigantic Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini Metro: Haram-e-Motahar is on the southern edge of the city. The sheer size of the shrine/shopping centre is enough to make the trip worth it. Entrance to the actual mausoleum is free.