Qeshm Island Tourism: Natural and Historical Attractions

For those who are familiar with Iran’s tourism, they know that Qeshm is one of the most unique tourist destinations in Iran. Located in the south of Iran in the Persian Gulf, this island attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists every year.

There are a few reasons for this popularity. Qeshm, alongside Kish, is a free-trade zone. What this means is that tourists are not required to present any visa when entering Qeshm (if they want to stay up to 14 days). Additionally, because it is a duty-free zone, all goods are considerably cheaper in Qeshm compared to the rest of Iran.

Another reason for Qeshm’s popularity is its raw, pristine nature. Qeshm is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, and it has numerous natural heritages that are under the protection of UNESCO. If you are tired of metropolises, or want to get away from the bustling life of the modern day, Qeshm is the perfect getaway for you.

Qeshm Island Tourism: Natural Attractions

The natural attractions in Qeshm are fresh, untouched, and unparalleled.

The Hara Marine Forests

The Hara Mangrove Forest is a restricted biosphere located in the Northwest of Qeshm. The hara forests are said to host about 1.5% of the world’s migratory birds in the cold seasons. If you get lucky, you can watch herons, pelicans, flamingos, and countless other rare birds on your trip to Hara Forests.

You can rent boats to get to the different parts of the forest through the waterways. Don’t be surprised to see people jumping off the boat and swimming in the waterways. If you’re up for the thrill, ask the boat driver to give you a ride at high speed!

The Valley of Stars

Pack your camera and turn on the artistic side of your brain: The Valley of Stars is going to blow you off your feet.

This surreal stone valley is one of the most beautiful, untouched natural attractions of Qeshm. It is said, according to locals, that the unusual stone shapes of this valley were created one starlit night when one of the stars fell off and collapsed onto the ground.

The Valley of Stars is the perfect place to take walks in the daylight and capture beautiful photos. It is, unfortunately, closed at nights to visitors, which could all be for good reason because the locals believe that Jinns and ghosts roam the valley at night! Phew!

Namakdan Salt Cave

Namakdan is Located about 100km from the mainland of Qeshm. It is the longest salt cave in the world. You will need a torch to be able to see inside the darkness of the cave. However, don’t worry if you don’t have one with you because they are sold at the site for a very low price.

The journey inside will not be easy; you might need to crawl very close to the ground or walk in uncomfortable positions. In the end, however, you will be rewarded with breathtakingly beautiful mixtures of colors and formations that will make the trip absolutely worth it.

In order to improve your experience, it is advised to get a qualified guide to ease your way into this wonder of a cave.

Chahkooh Canyon

Many consider the Chahkooh Canyon to be the first and most important of Qeshm’s ‘Seven Wonders’. The Chahkooh Canyon, or Chahkooh Valley, is located in the Chahu-ye Sharqi village about 70 Kilometers off Qeshm. The Canyon goes about 100 meters deep into the ground. On your journey down, you can see a wide range of sedimentary rocks and their erosion in magnificent shapes on the walls and in cavities.

If you enjoy hiking on rocks, and ethereal shapes, the Charkooh Canyon is bound to be a memorable experience.

Qeshm Island Tourism: Historical Attractions

Although Qeshm is primarily known for its natural wonders, there are still a few historical attractions in Qeshm that are worth the visit. Let’s examine two of them below.

The Portuguese Castle

The Portuguese Castle in Qeshm is a remnant of Portugual’s colonial rule in Persian Gulf. The thick walls of this red stone castle were built over 500 years ago to safeguard Portuguese soldiers from potential local riots.

This red stone fortress has recently become a popular destinations with domestic and international tourists. It’s the history and the architecture of the castle that draws thousands of people to it every year. Among the few other Portuguese castles spread out in Persian Gulf islands, the one in Qeshm remains the most popular.

Naderi Castle

Located in the southern part of the village of Laft, Naderi Castle is one of the historical must-sees in Qeshm. The castle was built on the foundations of pre-Islamic fortresses and is made of stone and mortar, which is the material used widely in the area.

Although the passage of time has done its damages to the face of this edifice, what remains of it and its four towers still attracts the ones who have an eye for the beauty of ancient castles.

If you are heading for the beautiful Qeshm Island on your next vacation, make sure to give our website a visit to book Qeshm hotels at a discounted price!