Looking for travel thrills away from the usual crowds? From a wind-swept desert fortress and a village that sits above the clouds to remote canyons, secret waterfalls and haunting swamplands, here are ten lesser-known Iranian spots that promise dramatic scenery and deeply local experiences — perfect for travelers who crave the unusual.
Do you agree that discovering little-known but fascinating spots in cities and countries gives a special thrill? We mean those places most people haven’t heard of — locations not yet discovered en masse by travelers. Iran has no shortage of such places. East, west, north and south, the country seems to keep surprises in store. Below are pristine Iranian places that few know about and that could be great destinations for your next trip. If you like to be different — even when choosing travel destinations — save these places for later.
Until the late Qajar era, Karshahi Castle was one of the fortresses where notorious bandit gangs organized. This earthen (adobe) castle has five watchtowers and when you visit you can easily imagine the grandeur it enjoyed in its heyday. Karshahi Castle — also called the “Thieves’ Castle” — is located in Abuzeydabad in Isfahan Province.
Under the castle there used to be passageways and mazes that led into the mountain behind the structure. In the desert around the castle you’ll also find beautiful pomegranate trees that tempt many travelers to camp near them and close to the fortress. If you enjoy sleeping outdoors and camping, lying on the desert floor and staring at a sky full of stars is irresistible. For anyone looking to discover Iran’s most striking and little-seen spots, Karshahi Castle is definitely an ideal choice.
Remember that rhythmic pop song that asked for a “companion of the stars” up on the clouds? If you know Filband, that lyric stops feeling like a fanciful wish. Filband in Mazandaran Province really lets you be among clouds and stars.
Filband is a village in Babol county. Although it is one of Iran’s most beautiful places, it hasn’t become as famous as destinations like Kelardasht or Namak-Abroud. It offers an incomparable view of rural life: villagers working and living amid fluffy white clouds — a scene that recalls 1960s cartoons like Heidi. The green hills and cottages of Filband are a superb escape from noisy city life.
Pamenar is a village in Dezful (southern Khuzestan). The variety of wildlife and plants there plus a lake formed by the Dez Dam create a great setting for outings and exploration. Taking a dip in the lake is one of the tempting parts of a trip to Pamenar — though in winter that isn’t practical because the lake water is cold.
Unfortunately the best season to visit the village is winter, so if you’re into swimming that season won’t offer swimming opportunities. The village’s dreamlike silence and sky can erase stress and worry like a calming pill. If you come in spring you’ll see tulips blooming around the lake — isn’t that lovely? All these reasons make Pamenar worthy of a place on the list of Iran’s most beautiful little-known spots.
Khuzestan has surprising hidden beauties. Besides Pamenar, the Shadegan Wetland is one of Iran’s most beautiful little-known places, showcasing geographic and cultural variety.
Shadegan inhabitants mostly speak Arabic and earn a living from livestock and dairy — tourism is a minor income source. Boat rides in Shadegan can feel like a 3D movie: while you enjoy the pristine marsh, a water buffalo might decide to swim beside your boat, or a flock of migratory birds may break the wetland’s silence. Around the wetland you’ll also see round-roof houses made of reeds and natural materials. Shadegan Marsh is without doubt one of Iran’s unspoiled places.
Iran has many waterfall sites, but if you haven’t heard of Raghez Gorge in Fars Province, you’ve missed one of the most interesting ones.
Raghez is like a hidden paradise in the southern mountains of Fars. In the Fasārūd region, the mysterious Raghez Gorge has tall waterfalls for adventurous travelers. Entering Raghez begins a roughly 2.5-kilometer route. At first the trail is easy and you pass clear blue pools formed by the falling water. As you go deeper the waterfalls grow taller — the highest reaches about 65 meters. Deeper sections demand greater skill and experience; it’s not simple to push into the gorge’s inner parts.
Whether you are an experienced explorer or stay near the gorge entrance, this trip will become one of your most unforgettable travel memories to a lesser-known Iranian spot.
Even lovers of the humid northern climate can tire in summers above 35°C. Mazandaran always has surprises; one such surprise is the Dalkhani forests.
Entering these woods in the mountains around Ramsar, temperatures drop noticeably even in summer. In Dalkhani you breathe fresh oxygen, the air feels lighter, and you enjoy green vistas often wrapped in mist. On the way you may meet cows calmly walking along the road — they don’t seem lost. Locals sell milk, honey, bread and wild herbs — visiting them is worthwhile. Remember Dalkhani if you want a cool mountain paradise in summer.
Like ghost stories? Fascinated by jinn and the uncanny? Kal-Jeni Valley near Tabas in South Khorasan has tales around it.
This mysterious valley was shaped over centuries by water flow and erosion. The valley’s formations are so strange that it can seem unlikely they formed naturally. That’s why some locals claim jinn in storms toss pebbles to shape the valley. If you’re more logical and unshaken by horror films, consider alternative causes: maybe in ancient times a raging river and floods gradually carved the tall valley walls.
Haft Ghar Valley is a natural masterpiece. Located northwest of Nishapur, it contains seven valleys that, when traversed, lead to a natural spring.
The climate here is pleasant; in spring the area receives much rain and turns lush with water-filled springs. Although the name suggests caves, there aren’t literal caves here — rather a chain of seven valleys famed as “seven caves.” The soil is clayey and the spring water is cool and tasty. Don’t forget Nishapur’s historical and natural attractions when planning Iranian travel — Haft Ghar is part of that package.
Bent trunks of half-dead trees rising from a misty swamp call to mind scenes from horror cinema. That’s the Lake of Souls near Nowshahr in Mazandaran. Modern audiences may no longer take ghost stories literally, but local residents once believed the place enchanted and haunted. Regardless of supernatural tales, the trees in and around this bog create striking, otherworldly scenes — a visit here is like exploring one of Iran’s most visually haunting landscapes.
Iran has many beautiful waterfalls, and one that remains relatively under-the-radar is Luh Waterfall near Golestan National Park. The soothing sound of falling water, rocky cliffs and surrounding green trees make it an ideal spot for relaxation. Luh plunges about 75 meters; its adjacency to dense forest builds a picture-perfect natural scene.
