The Saadabad Historical-Cultural Complex, located in the northern foothills of Tehran near Tochal, served as the residence for Iran’s last Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs. Visiting the complex offers a rare window into Iran’s contemporary royal history. The complex once housed palaces for members of the Pahlavi family, including the last palace built for Leila Pahlavi, the youngest daughter of Mohammad Reza Shah. After the Iranian Revolution, many of the 18 main palaces were converted into museums, preserving the legacy of this royal compound.
Construction of the Saadabad Complex began during the Qajar dynasty, and it underwent major development under Reza Shah Pahlavi, who acquired and expanded several of its buildings. The Palace of the King’s Mother, for example, covers roughly 8,000 square meters and was one of the first major structures in the complex.
Spanning nearly 300 hectares, the Saadabad estate is divided into 180 hectares of gardens, aqueducts, and greenhouses, and 120 hectares of palaces and mansions. Its architecture blends traditional Persian design with European influences, as seen in the work of both Iranian and European architects who contributed to its construction.
White Palace (Mellat Museum): The largest palace in Saadabad, built during Reza Shah’s era with a white façade, Roman-style marble columns, and interiors that include ornate chandeliers, oil paintings, and Persian carpets. It was once the summer residence of Mohammad Reza Shah and Farah Diba.
Ahmad Shah Qajar Palace: Initiated in the Qajar era, it was completed during the Pahlavi period but is currently closed for public visitation due to ongoing renovation.
Green Palace (Shahvand House): Named for its green stone façade, this palace was completed under Reza Shah and features mirrorwork and intricate design.
Black Palace (Museum of Fine Arts): Known for its black marble exterior, it now houses fine art collections in a three-story building.
Princess Shams Palace (Museum of Anthropology): Former home of Shams Pahlavi, it now exhibits items related to human evolution and royal clothing.
Palace of the King’s Mother: Once the residence of Taj al‑Muluk, this building now serves as a government building under the Presidential Institution.
Abkar Museum (Princess Leila Palace): The final palace constructed in Saadabad, now housing a miniature museum showcasing delicate Iranian miniature paintings.
Behzad Palace (Karbas Palace): Also called the First Palace of Reza Pahlavi, it was restored and opened as the Behzad Museum, dedicated to the celebrated painter.
During the Pahlavi era, 12 aqueducts were dug across the garden areas to irrigate its lush vegetation. These historic waterways are still visible today and contribute to the complex’s serene garden landscape.
Due to the extensive size of the complex, Saadabad once had many gates. Today, the Zaferanieh Street Gate and Darband Street Gate remain open to visitors, leading into the garden and palace areas.
Spring & Summer (March–September): 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Autumn & Winter (October–February): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For further details and a visual guide, check out the Saadabad Palace Complex on Visit World Heritage.
