From the summits of the mountains to the central deserts and southern shores of Iran, Iran has it all. Natural variation is one of the most essential aspects of Iranian tourism, and this is evident in the numerous Iran natural tourist attractions. These natural wonders can enchant you, drown you, and draw you in for second and third visits.
When comparing these natural wonders to those seen in other nations, it is clear that Iran is a Western Asian hidden jewel, underappreciated and undervalued. You’ll agree with us after learning more about some of these incredible Iran natural tourist attractions!
Maranjab desert tours take visitors through all that this lovely desert has to offer. Maranjab is THE Iran tourist destination you should see at least once in your life. From the searing sunlight pouring on the Maranjab dunes during the day to the clear, starry sky of this hideaway at night.
The “wandering island” is a fascinating azure pond located in the heart of the Maranjab desert. This fascinating sight appears to be a massive ship in the middle of a sandy sea from afar. Except that It’s not actually an island because there’s salt instead of water. One of the aspects of this desert region that has made it so popular with travelers is this island!
There is an old saying that this place is constantly moving, which is why it is known as the Wandering Island. You can find this beautiful pond on our Iran desert map.
Kerman’s Shahdaad desert is one of the most unusual Iran natural tourist attractions, and a beautiful Iran desert. The Lut Desert, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Iran’s two big deserts, with Kerman accounting for 80 percent of its area. The Shahdaad desert is located around 100 kilometers west of Kerman, in the desert of Lut.
There are earth and soil formed constructs in this desert that are unique in their own kind, raised and molded by the hands of mother nature over many centuries. At first glance, these Kaluts appear to be tall ghostly buildings in a deserted city from afar. This is maybe why it has been dubbed “the city of ghosts” by some tourists and visitors.
Walking amid these sleek hills or Kalutes, savoring the calm and peace of the desert, watching the sunset, and marveling at the stars at night are all part of the memorable experiences available in the Shahdaad desert. Check out our best Iran desert tours for more details about Shahdad, Lut, or any other Iran desert!
Hyrcanian forest stretches from the Talish Mountain ranges in Azerbaijan to the Alborz Mountains and all the way to Golestan city in Iran. The Hyrcanian Forests form a green arc of lush and stunning mixed broad-leaved forests. The forest is among the most significant and important Iran natural tourist attractions and sites for biological diversity conservation.
These forests are also of outstanding value and have been registered by UNESCO. Similar forests once existed in Europe and parts of the former Soviet Union, but they vanished during the Ice Age. So, it’s safe to say that the Hyrcanians could be considered the world’s oldest forests. In addition, the Hyrcanian forest has remarkable features, making it one of the many Iran natural tourist attractions and places of outstanding beauty and artistic value.
The cloud forests are one of the most mesmerizing Iran natural tourist attractions.
Because of their location in the mountains, the air pressure difference allows clouds to pass through and enter the forest through the hills. You can walk above the clouds thanks to this phenomenon.
The Shahroud Cloud Forest is 45 kilometers north of Shahroud in Semnan province. It is also one of Iran’s most beautiful and magnificent regions.
In fact, these trees mark the boundary between Semnan province’s semi-arid lands and Golestan province’s Hyrcanian rainforests. The sky and the earth are connected here, as evidenced by an ocean of clouds.
The forests in Gilan’s northern region are a place of outstanding natural beauty, with many lovely hiking trails for visitors. The hilly Masal region, about an eight-hour drive from Tehran, has some particularly popular walking paths. However, remember to pack your own supplies because shops and motels are few and far between. Although lynxes, wolves, and bears are known to live in these areas, the lush lowlands and mountain forests provide a pleasant contrast to the harsh landscapes of southern Iran.
Masal village in Gilan province is home to one of the country’s most unusual woodland sceneries, the cloud ocean phenomena. If you are planning a trip to Masal, remember to bring warm clothing even if it is summer. Tourists can find misty air and a combination of high mountains and dense forests among these Iran natural tourist attractions. Late spring to late summer is the best season to visit Massal. The most well-known village in Masal is Oles Blangah. Still, we also recommend a visit to Bilgadol, a lesser-known settlement.
The Khalkhal-Asalem route is a meandering road that connects Ardabil and Gilan, two lovely and verdant provinces.
You will find pure nature, untamed beauties, waterfalls, lakes, large plains of flowers, and uncommon flora from the beginning of this 70-kilometer journey.
The forest makes up half of the connecting point between Iran natural tourist attractions, while the plains and mountains make up the other half.
Step onto one of Iran’s most beautiful woodland roads, and you’ll instantly fall in love with the country’s natural beauty.
Give this road a try if you’ve ever wished to drive down a romantic tree-lined road or stay in a wooden cottage in the middle of the wilds.
A pink lake located in the southeastern section of Shiraz city, on the way from Shiraz to Fasa, attracts many tourists every year. Maharloo, also known as Pink Lake, is a 600-square-kilometer seasonal salt lake in the Shiraz highlands. You may as well associate Shiraz with pink since both “Pink Mosque” and the “Pink Lake” are located in Shiraz. Maharloo Lake is a Salt Lake that attracts migratory birds and is a popular birding spot!
The lake turns pink due to a large concentration of pink-colored algae, which is rich in potassium and other salts. When the lake is full, visitors flying into Shiraz can see wonderful views from above. At the same time, those on the ground can enjoy both the lake and the gorgeous surroundings. It’s quite easy to see why Maharloo Pink Lake is one of the most popular Iran natural tourist attractions!
Once upon a time, on Qeshm Island in Iran, a star fell from the sky and landed exactly in the center of the island. It formed a massive, mysterious, and strange valley that we now call Stars Valley or Valley of Stars. This geographical location is one of Qeshm’s and Iran’s most unique natural attractions. Let’s take a closer look at this intriguing natural phenomenon, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and the Middle East’s only geo-park.
The Star Valley is a one-of-a-kind example of erosion investigation among all Geosites. This region is known as “Estalah-kaftah,” which means “the Fallen Star” in Arabic. Locals believe in the presence of ghosts and “Jinns” in this Valley at night, which could be due to the odd geological formations and wind blowing into the valley at night.
Mount Damavand, often known as the “Roof of the Country,” is Iran’s highest peak. This volcano, which is part of the Alborz range, is more than simply another of the country’s breathtaking natural wonders. Damavand is well-known as one of the most popular Iran natural tourist attractions for winter sports such as skiing and summer sports such as mountaineering. Most people are surprised to learn that Mount Damavand is also a well-known and influential figure in Persian mythology!
Damavand is mentioned in Iranian folklore, including Ferdowsi’s epic poem Shahnameh. Zahhak, the three-headed dragon, was said to be tethered to the mountain and would remain there until the end of time, according to legend. It is also the tallest peak in the Middle East and Asia’s highest volcano. Don’t be alarmed but, Damavand is also a potentially deadly volcanic Iran mountain. This is because of sulfur-emitting fumaroles surrounding the summit crater.
Ali Sadr is one of Hamadan province’s most popular Iran natural tourist attractions and the world’s largest water cave.
It is also one of Iran’s most visited places, with thousands of people year-round, especially in the spring and summer.
This cave is found in Kabood Ahang, a city 60 kilometers south of Hamadan. Adventurers can find this cave in the elevated lands of Sari Qieh, also known as “the yellow rock.”
Ali-Sadr is one of the world’s few water caves. Its Jurassic Epoch rocks, which date back 190 million years, are from the second geological period. As soon as you enter, you will be greeted by a cool environment that will help you forget about the heat outdoors.
The water in this lake is so clear that you can see the bottom. So, what are you waiting for? Put on your life jacket, board the boat, and travel through the cave’s natural labyrinth.