Borujerd

Borujerd is an old city in Lorestān Province, inhabited since around 50 AD. It lies in the fertile Silakhor valley surrounded by the Zagros Mountains. With a population of about 250,000, Borujerd is a regional centre for agriculture, business, and higher education. The local dialect is Borujerdi, a mix of Persian and Lori. English is not widely spoken outside universities.

By Plane

No public airport. The closest airports are in Khorramabad (KHD, 75 km) and Hamadan, both reachable by taxi or bus.

By Train

The nearest railway station is in Dorud, 45 km southeast, with connections to Tehran and the south. Minibuses from Dorud to Borujerd take about 40 minutes.

By Car / Road

Borujerd has excellent bus connections to Tehran (4 hr), Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Khorramabad, Hamadan, and Kermanshah. By car, Tehran is 396 km via the freeway through Qom and Arak.

Public buses, shared taxis, and telephone taxis serve the city. Hiring a taxi for the full day costs about US$39 or less. Short rides cost about US$2 or less.

• Jameh Mosque of Borujerd — The oldest mosque in western Iran, dating to the 10th century.
• Soltani Mosque of Borujerd — A large Qajar-era mosque from the 19th century.
• Imamzadeh Ja'far — An 11th-century Seljuk mausoleum honouring a grandson of the fourth Shiʻi Imam.
• Great Bazaar of Borujerd — A traditional covered bazaar.
• Chogha Hill — A hill with a 360° view of the city and the Zagros.
• Goldasht Valley — A scenic valley 3 km west of the city.

Walk through the busy lanes of the bazaar. Climb Chogha Hill for sunset views. Hike in the Garrin or Oshtorankuh mountains. Visit Vennai, a tourist-friendly mountain village known for pickled cucumber.

Borujerd is known for its kebabs, local bread, and ice cream. Try the local halva and traditional sweets. Doogh (yoghurt drink) is very popular in Lorestān, and Borujerd has a wide selection of āsh (Iranian soups).

Alcohol is not served. Soft drinks, bottled water, and doogh are widely available. Tea houses are common in the bazaar.

• Mid-range: Zagros Hotel — A four-star hotel atop Chogha Hill with views. Around US$50/night.
• Budget: Esteghlal Hotel on Bahar Street. Small guesthouses near Takhti Street offer basic rooms.

Borujerd's bazaar offers traditional Lori textiles, handwoven carpets, and local sweets. Bargaining is expected.

• Khorramabad (75 km south) — Falak-ol-Aflak Castle and the UNESCO-listed prehistoric caves.
• Dorud (45 km southeast) — Gahar Lake and mountain trekking.
• Hamadan (100 km north) — Ecbatana, Ali Sadr Cave, and Avicenna's tomb.
• Arak (120 km east) — Traditional bazaar and historic houses.