More than 3000 years of history and empire has left Iran with an array of architectural treasures that include towers, great domes and adobe cities, as well as mosques. Some are World Heritage sites; the others should be. Welcome to what could be the friendliest country on earth. Iran is the jewel in Islam’s crown, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome. Iran is a treasure house for some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet and it’s greatest attraction could just be its people. Iran is a true hidden gem and home to truly stunning sights, scenery and things to do! Making sure to visit the famous landmarks and undoubtedly all the experiences you have in Iran, will live longest in the memory.
Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests is now one of the sites that is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Hyrcanian forests form a unique forested massif that stretches 850 km along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The history of these broad-leaved forests dates back 25 to 50 million years, when they covered most of this Northern Temperate region. These ancient forest areas retreated during the Quaternary glaciations and then expanded again as the climate became milder. Their floristic biodiversity is remarkable: 44% of the vascular plants known in Iran are found in the Hyrcanian region, which only covers 7% of the country. To date, 180 species of birds typical of broad-leaved temperate forests and 58 mammal species have been recorded, including the iconic Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana).
Masal in the west of Gilan is known as a lost heaven between Iranian standing in high status of beauty that has not lost its attraction even in the sight of its residences. Masal located in Talesh Mountains that is within travelling of Rasht by only 50 km. Masal is one of the many places in Iran that has many enthusiasts, especially between iran eco tourism lovers. The beautiful nature of this city and its lush woods are one of the reasons that brought naturalist attention to the area.
Notable for its traditional wooden buildings, clustered on the northern slopes of the valley, Masuleh is registered as National Cultural and Natural Heritage in Iran, one of the sites of the UNESCO. The village is rich in tangible and intangible heritage. The surrounding mountains provide many opportunities for trekking, climbing and other activities.
Damavand Mountain is the highest mountain of Iran and Middle East; it is the highest volcanic peak of Asia and the 19th tallest peak of the world. The mountain is located in north of Iran at the central part of the Alborz Mountain range located on the south of the Caspian Sea. One can see the mountain from Tehran, Varamin, Qom and the Caspian Sea beach, given the weather is not foggy or polluted. Damavand is the symbol of stability in the Iranian culture and enjoys a good reputation in Persian literature and mythology. Various and specific plants grow at the different heights of Damavand; there are various animals native to the area due to the special location of this region which is surrounded by forest from the north and has suborder with the desert from the south.
visit Filband, an eye catching village in Northern Province of Iran. Filband village is 2,700 meters above sea level and surrounded by the sea of clouds in most time of year. The ocean of cloud is actually a phenomenon where you can feel yourself on the clouds. Filband is also famous for its over the cloud sunset views.
As two-thirds of Iran is mountains and deserts and if you like sand and add some adrenaline dose to your travel, the sand dunes in deserts of Iran will make your trip more interesting than what you think. In addition to beaches, jungles, mountains and green areas, there are multiple and beautiful deserts in central parts of Iran. Beautiful Maranjab Desert is one of the most popular deserts of Iran that attracts many tourists from Iran and other countries every year. The Maranjab Desert is located in Aran va Bidgol, Iran and around 60 km north-east of Kashan. Maranjab Aran and Bidgol in the northern city of Aran and Bidgol located in Isfahan province. This desert from north to Salt Lake Aran and Bidgol, the West Desert Lakes issue and salt pond and dock Sultan Moreh, from East to desert sand dam and Desert National Park and the southern city of Aran and Bidgol is limited.
Kerman is the capital city of Kerman province. It is the largest and most developed city in the Kerman Province and the most important city in South-East Iran. Kerman is one of the five historical cities of Iran.
The Kaluts in Kerman is best seen at sunrise or sunset due to the dramatically changing color, you just can’t visit Kerman without making the trip out there.
Esfahan is Iran’s top tourist destination for good reason. Its profusion of tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens and important Islamic buildings gives it a visual appeal unmatched by any other Iranian city, and the many artisans working here underpin its reputation as a living museum of traditional culture. Walking through the historic bazaar, over the picturesque bridges and across the Unesco-listed central square are sure to be highlights of a holiday.
Like most of Isfahan attractions, Vank Cathedral was built during the rule of Shah Abbas, who moved the capital of Persian Empire from Qazvin to Isfahan in 1598. The cathedral was established in 1606 for hundreds of thousands of Armenian deportees who came to Iran during the Ottoman war. The construction was finally completed in 1655 – 1664 when the major design changes were amended by Archbishop David.
Chehel Sotoun Palace and its royal garden are one of the ancient sites of Isfahan. The construction and establishment of this admirable palace date back to Safavid Era in 1588. However, no sooner than 1647 was it fully completed. The initial plan of this garden and monument was designed when Shah Abbas, the first king of Safavid Empire, opted Isfahan as the capital city. He decides to build up a long street, calling it Chahar Bagh (the four gardens), and develop some gardens in it. Unfortunately, except for Chehel Sotoun Garden and Hasht Behesht Garden, none of these gardens have remained. The immense halls of this palace used to be the selected places for official feasts of the country. After his reign was over, Shah Abbas II made a considerable attempt to perfect this masterpiece. Chehel Sotoun Palace was registered on UNESCO Cultural Heritage list in 2011.
Dive into ancient Persia in Kashan. Rosewater, textiles and rugs are some famous examples what describe this city. Kashan offers an explosion of culture, with a number of historical places, a photogenic bazaar, and many old traditional houses which some of them are transformed to cozy boutique hotels where you could experience the traditional life. A delightful oasis city next to the desert, Kashan would enchant you definitely! Kashan is a traditional Iranian city with many sights, stories and surrounding attractive villages to discover.
Among the top destination of international tourist to Iran are religious cities of Mashhad, Qom, Shiraz and capital Tehran. These cities are respectively home to the holy shrines of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims; his sister Lady Fatimah Ma’asouma; his brothers Ahmad and Mohammad; as well as the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Rouhollah Khomeini.
Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for over 2000 years, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingales, poetry and wine. A city of poets, Shiraz is home to the graves of Hafez and Sa’di, both major pilgrimage sites for Iranians. It’s also home to splendid gardens, exquisite mosques and whispered echoes of ancient sophistication that reward those who linger beyond the customary excursion to nearby Persepolis – the area’s major tourist destination.
legendary city of Persepolis, is the former capital of Darius the Great and founded in 512 BC. There was no more impressive construction in the ancient world, except perhaps Karnak in Egypt. The centre of the great Persian Empire, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians and the showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek) is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz. Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (The throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was the summer residence of the Achaemenid emperors and their official reception quarters.
Iran is a well-known destination for its classic Persian cities, filled with stunning mosques and dreamy gardens. Very few travelers think of Iran as a beach destination, but it truly can be. With more than 1,500 kilometers of undiscovered coastline, the Persian Gulf shores are home to a unique landscape, culture and, of course, beautiful islands. The largest island in the Persian Gulf, Qeshm is fringed with biologically diverse mangrove forests, attractive beaches and 60 Bandari villages. Its sun-scorched interior features geologically significant canyons, hills, caves and valleys, most of which are protected as part of the Unesco-recognised Qeshm Island Geopark – bliss for nature-lovers.
The most beautiful canyon is fore sure Chahkooh canyon in Qeshm Island. Chahkooh is the result of erosion from rainwater on sedimentary stone. Heavy rainstorms (that are also rare) quickly flush water through geological structures. Erosion however has been a secondary factor in forming this beautiful valley. It has primarily been affected by the Salt Dome and related anticline (a ridge or fold of stratified rock). While under pressure, these arch-like structures may break in areas that are weaker, forming grooves on the walls. Chahkooh has been initially formed by these geological phenomena, and secondarily been washed away by erosion. Vertical to the main valley axis, there is a second valley, which has also been formed through tectonic pressures. It actually makes two canyons plumbed on each other vertically.
Persian cuisine is one of the world’s greatest and oldest intangible cultures which can be tracked back to the ancient Persian Empire, and follow up to the modern Iran with all the cross cultural influences it always had in the region. The cultural and tribes diversity in Iran has led to a very vast food culture; from full vegetarian to meat lovers dishes, grain based and diary based recipes and different kinds of jewel rice dishes with nuts are part of this culture.
Food in Iran is a delicacy, and is made up of a whole range of Middle Eastern influences. All the cities around Iran have special and delicious foods. Qazvin is one of the cities that has the most delicious food named Qeime Nesar. Qeime Nesar is one of the most popular foods of Qazvin province, which has been spread in all provinces of Iran and cooked as an aromatic and delicious food for official events, happiness parties, wedding parties, large parties and Eids. Qeime Nesar is considered to be an expensive and luxury food cooked basically with the ingredients such as: Rice, lamb meat, onion, saffron, barberry, almond slice, pistachio slice, orange slice, turmeric, cardamom, salt, sugar, tomato paste and some famous aromatic and delicious spices special to Qeime Nesar in Qazvin. Sometimes meat and rice are stewed simultaneously and sometimes rice is prepared separately, in combination with a little saffron and in the next step, the layered meat is placed in the middle of rice; the above mentioned slices can be used for decorating the food. This food is usually served with vegetable and yogurt. click on the picture to watch all the traditional foods in Qazvin.
Iranian Saffron known as the “red gold”, saffron is a magical ingredient in Persian culture, from aromatic foods and colorful desserts, to the physical and spiritual medicine. The expensive spice has long been a high-demand commodity and even triggered a war in 1374 in central Europe. But let’s take a closer look at saffron in Iran and see why you should keep it in your souvenir shopping list. Saffron has long been used as a special seasoning in Iranian kitchens. A thin layer of saffron mixed rice on top of the white pile of rice and barberries, next to aroma and color of chicken kebab (joojeh kabab), all promise a welcoming hospitality. Iranians appreciate saffron and use it moderately, they believe that overuse of saffron can harm their mental health. They enjoy it in the flavorful saffron ice cream (Bastani Sonnati) in hot days of summer, or serve it in bowls of sweet rice pudding (Sholeh Zard) in religious ceremonies. Some people also make a refreshing herbal tea out of it, along with rose petals.
Halva ardeh is a sweet, dense Iranian paste that is usually prepared with a base of sugar and ground sesame or tahini. The mixture is occasionally studded with pistachios, but it is traditionally merely topped with pistachio slivers. Though it can be enjoyed as a sweet snack, halva ardeh is a common breakfast staple and is occasionally served with bread on the side. This classic confectionery item should not be mistaken with other halva varieties that can be prepared with different combinations of flour, lentils, butter, nuts, rose water, and saffron. Here is a video of a classic way to prepare this delicious Halva.
Speaking of weird combinations, Esfahanis like to combine the sweetness of Gooshfil with a big glass of salty yoghurt drink. Doogh is a very popular drink in Iran made from yoghurt, water. salt and dried mint and it’s usually served with kebab. Now, having it with a super sweet sugary Gooshfil in not something everyone will like. I personally had been avoiding the two together all along. Even the thought of it never seemed appealing. But on my last trip to Esfahan, I gave it a shot and I survived! It’s definitely not my favourite afternoon snack but it works. After each bite of Gooshfil, a sip of doogh would wash the sweetness and before I know it, I was almost done with a full plate of Gooshfil. In this video you can see the way of making this traditional persian pastry.
A strange mountain whose soil is used as a kind of spice by the locals! This edible mountain, which is the only edible mountain of the world, is located in Hormuz Island, Iran. Located in Persian Gulf, Hormuz is the island of colorful beaches and many people refer to it as the Rainbow Island. The island is a center of geological studies. The people of Hormuz have their own special way of cooking. They take the fresh fish of their waters, such as sardines, kilka and another kind called ‘momagh’, clean them and marinate them in the peel of sour oranges and this particular sauce in a large container and leave it in the sun for two days. Then its cooked to become a delicious meal called ‘suragh’. Its appetizing taste and color is very popular among tourists from both Iran and abroad. Very few visitors to this island leave without having tasted the dish. The same red soil is also used in baking the local bread called ‘tomshi’. The same bread is cooked in neighboring islands with cheese or dabbled with eggs; but Hormuz has its own special recipe made with ‘suragh’ which is rather popular. Guelak and suragh are also known in other parts of Hormuzgan Province and are used in foods such as ‘kalleh jush’ made with walnuts and whey, lentil rice, and small shrimps and other seafood.
If you are still hesitated about planning a trip to Iran, we want to share a video of a German couple’s journey in Iran with you. They made this video for their child, Mio.
