Mashhad is best known as the city of the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, a destination for millions of pilgrims every year. But beyond the spiritual heart of the city, Mashhad offers attractions that appeal to nature lovers and families, and among the most delightful of these is the Birds Garden, known in Persian as Bagh-e Parandegan. Spread across six thousand square metres in the eastern part of the city, this aviary park is home to over 800 individual birds representing species from Iran, Asia, and Africa. It is the largest bird garden in eastern Iran, and a visit here provides a colourful, noisy, and thoroughly engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Where is the Birds Garden?
The Birds Garden is located in the Sepad zone of Mashhad, at the end of Khayyam Boulevard on Baharestan Boulevard, opposite the Almas East commercial complex. This position in the eastern part of the city makes it easily accessible from most hotels and the Imam Reza Shrine area. The garden sits within a larger recreational and commercial development, and the surrounding area includes parking, shops, and other entertainment facilities.
Mashhad itself is the second-largest city in Iran and the capital of Razavi Khorasan province in the northeast. The city sits at an elevation of about 1,000 metres in a fertile plain surrounded by the Binalud mountain range to the north and the Hezar Masjed mountains to the east. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters, and the Birds Garden is an outdoor attraction that is best enjoyed in mild weather.
The Bird Collection
The collection at the Birds Garden is one of the most diverse in Iran. With over 800 individual birds, the park houses species from three continents, creating a global avian experience within a single garden. The birds are kept in large, walk-through enclosures and aviaries designed to replicate natural habitats as closely as possible, with trees, shrubs, water features, and artificial nesting sites.
Among the star attractions are the peacocks, whose spectacular tail displays draw crowds whenever they fan their feathers. The garden is also home to several species of parrot, including macaws with their vivid red, blue, and green plumage, and smaller parakeets that chatter constantly from their perches. Eagle and hawk species are kept in spacious flight enclosures where visitors can observe their hunting behaviour and impressive wingspans.
Water birds have their own section, with ducks, geese, swans, and flamingos gathered around pools and artificial lakes. The contrast between the pink flamingos, the white swans, and the colourful ducks creates one of the most photogenic corners of the garden. Songbirds, including canaries, nightingales, and bulbuls, fill the air with their calls, adding a musical dimension to the visit.
The garden also houses several species of pheasant, ornamental pigeons, ostriches, emus, and various raptors. For children, the interactive areas where they can feed and observe smaller birds up close are a particular highlight. The veterinary unit on site ensures that all birds receive proper care, and a quarantine area is maintained for new arrivals or sick birds.
The Layout and Facilities
The Birds Garden is designed as a recreational and educational space. Wide, tree-lined paths wind through the enclosures, allowing visitors to move easily from one section to another. Informational signs near each enclosure provide the name and origin of the species, and in some cases, interesting facts about their behaviour and habitat. The layout encourages a leisurely stroll rather than a rushed tour, and most visitors spend between one and two hours exploring the full collection.
Beyond the bird enclosures, the garden offers several facilities to make the visit comfortable. A cafe and buffet area provides refreshments and light meals. A playground for children ensures that younger visitors are entertained. The veterinary unit and quarantine area, while not open to the public, reflect the garden's commitment to animal welfare. Ample parking is available on site, which is a significant advantage given that many visitors arrive by car.
The garden also serves an educational function. School groups and nature clubs visit regularly, and the staff organize guided tours and educational programs about bird conservation, migration patterns, and the importance of protecting natural habitats. For families travelling with children, the Birds Garden offers a valuable opportunity to introduce young ones to the diversity of the avian world in a setting that is both entertaining and instructive.
Best Time to Visit
The Birds Garden is an outdoor attraction, and the experience varies with the seasons. The best time to visit is during spring, from March to May, when the weather in Mashhad is mild and pleasant. Temperatures range from 15 to 25 degrees, and the garden's trees and shrubs are green and flowering. The birds are most active in spring, many species are in breeding plumage, and the air fills with song.
Early autumn, from September to mid-October, is another excellent window. The summer heat has passed, the weather is comfortable, and the garden is less crowded than in spring. Summer, from June to August, can be hot in Mashhad, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees or more. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon during summer is advisable to avoid the midday heat.
Winter, from December to February, is cold in Mashhad, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. The garden remains open, but the birds are less active, and the experience is less enjoyable in freezing weather. If you visit in winter, dress warmly and check the opening hours, as the garden may close early on particularly cold days.
Note: The garden's operational status can change. Check locally or via Mehyar before visiting to confirm it is open on your planned date.
How to Get There
The Birds Garden is located in the eastern part of Mashhad, in the Sepad zone. The most convenient way to reach it is by taxi or private car.
By Mehyar Taxi. Open Mehyar, choose Taxi, and set your destination to the Birds Garden or Bagh-e Parandegan. The ride from the city centre or the Imam Reza Shrine area takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on traffic. A private taxi gives you the flexibility to arrive and leave on your own schedule.
By private car. If you are driving, follow Baharestan Boulevard to its end at Khayyam Boulevard. The garden is opposite the Almas East complex. Parking is available on site.
By public transport. Mashhad's bus network covers the eastern part of the city, and several bus lines pass near the Birds Garden. Ask locally for the nearest stop, or check with your hotel reception for the most convenient route.
By organised tour. Some Mashhad tour operators include the Birds Garden in family-oriented city tours, particularly during the spring and summer months. These tours typically combine the garden with visits to other Mashhad attractions such as the Imam Reza Shrine, the Naderi Museum, and the Binalud mountain area.
Hours and Tickets
The Birds Garden is typically open daily from 9 in the morning until 7 or 8 in the evening, depending on the season. Extended summer hours reflect the longer days and the popularity of evening visits when the heat has passed.
Admission tickets are modestly priced, making the garden an affordable family outing. Prices may vary by season and by age, with discounts often available for children and seniors. Confirm current ticket prices locally or through Mehyar before your visit.
Combining with Other Mashhad Attractions
A visit to the Birds Garden can be combined with several other attractions in Mashhad, making it a pleasant addition to a day of sightseeing. The Imam Reza Holy Shrine, the spiritual centre of the city, is the must-see attraction for most visitors and is located roughly thirty to forty minutes from the garden by taxi. The Naderi Museum, dedicated to the life and campaigns of Nader Shah Afshar, the eighteenth-century military genius who made Mashhad his capital, offers a fascinating historical counterpoint to the natural experience of the garden.
For those interested in additional nature experiences, the Binalud mountain range to the north of Mashhad offers hiking trails, mountain villages, and scenic drives. The Kooh Sangi park, a popular recreational area in the south of the city, provides another green escape within the urban environment.
Use Mehyar to plan your Mashhad itinerary, book flights and hotels, and arrange taxi transport between attractions. The city has much to offer beyond the Shrine, and the Birds Garden is one of the most charming and accessible of its secondary attractions.
A Note on Bird Conservation
Iran faces significant challenges in bird conservation, from habitat loss and hunting to climate change and pollution. The Birds Garden in Mashhad plays a role in raising awareness about these issues, and the educational programs offered at the garden aim to inspire visitors, particularly children, to take an interest in protecting the country's avian biodiversity. Iran is home to over 500 recorded bird species, including several endemics and near-endemics, and the conservation of these species depends on public awareness and government action.
By visiting the Birds Garden, you contribute to its mission of education and conservation, and you give yourself the pleasure of spending time in the company of some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on the planet. Whether you are a serious birdwatcher, a family looking for an entertaining outing, or simply a traveller passing through Mashhad, the Birds Garden offers a splash of colour, a symphony of song, and a reminder of the natural world that thrives alongside the great cities of Iran.