Is Yazd safe?
Avoid. Iran is at war, with arbitrary arrests of foreigners, blackouts and strike risk. Yazd is a quiet city far from the fronts, but airspace and border closures affect all travel.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 1/5, avoid travel.
- US travel advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, updated 2025-12-04.
- Homicide rate in Iran: 2.4 per 100,000 people (2014, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Iran: 21.5 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 125.
Safety in Yazd at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 1/5 · Avoid travel |
| Crime | Low street crime. Risks are mostly political: detention, photography bans, fake police and sudden security measures. |
| At night | Old City alleys are quiet and poorly lit after dark. Stay near your guesthouse and use hotel-arranged taxis. |
| Solo women | Hijab and loose clothing are legally required; Yazd is conservative but calm. Solo foreign women draw attention; use trusted taxis. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 45°C; Airstrikes and sudden airspace closures elsewhere in Iran; Desert driving and sandstorms |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake plainclothes police asking for passports or cash
- Taxi drivers refusing meters and quoting tourist prices
Take care
- Photographing military, government or infrastructure sites
- Desert roads at night: breakdowns, heat and little help
- Protests and gatherings: arrests of foreigners
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Alcohol is illegal; bootleg drinks have caused methanol deaths.
- Photographing government, military or infrastructure sites can bring espionage charges.
- Sex outside marriage and same-sex relations can carry the death penalty.
How Yazd compares in Iran
Quick answers
Is Yazd safe for solo female travelers?
Hijab and loose clothing are legally required; Yazd is conservative but calm. Solo foreign women draw attention; use trusted taxis.
Is Yazd safe at night?
Old City alleys are quiet and poorly lit after dark. Stay near your guesthouse and use hotel-arranged taxis.
What is the crime rate in Yazd?
Low street crime. Risks are mostly political: detention, photography bans, fake police and sudden security measures. Nationally, Iran records 2.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2014).
What number do I call in an emergency in Yazd?
Police 110 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 125.
More about Yazd
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Iran e-visa portal
- UK FCDO travel advice: Iran
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.