SAEDNEWS: Torqabeh, formally Torqabeh in Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Razavi Khorasan Province, near Mashhad, is a cool, picturesque mountain district beloved for its lush valleys, traditional villages and a thriving restaurant and leisure scene — an ideal half-day escape from the city for nature lovers and food travellers.
Torqabeh is a very pleasant-climate area and one of Mashhad’s most popular recreational and tourist destinations. Bounded on the west by the Binalud Range and on the north by Takht-e Rostam, Torqabeh and its surrounding highland villages attract both visitors and locals seeking cooler air and scenic mountain views. The district is known for many summer settlements and tourist villages such as Kang Village, Naghandar, Jagharaq, Dehbar, and others. A variety of leisure facilities — from the Chalidaareh adventure complex to the Azadi karting track and the Vilaj Tourist shopping center — have boosted the area’s appeal. Below is a full introduction to Torqabeh and its recreational districts.
Address: Razavi Khorasan Province, Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh
Torqabeh is a town in Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Razavi Khorasan Province, located about 25 kilometres from Mashhad. It lies on the Jagharaq road to the southwest of Mashhad and is bounded to the west and north by the Binalud Mountains and Takht-e Rostam peak.
By car: Torqabeh is easy to reach by car. To reach the mountainous Torqabeh area, take Vakilabad Highway and from the square near the western metro terminal follow Boulevard Imam Reza toward Torqabeh. The drive typically takes less than half an hour from central Mashhad.
By metro: You can also take Mashhad’s metro to the last station on the Vakilabad line; from there take a bus or taxi to Torqabeh.
A common question from visitors is whether Torqabeh or nearby Shandiz is the better choice for leisure and dining. Both towns are among Mashhad’s top tourist and recreational destinations, with attractive mountain landscapes and abundant visitor facilities. Torqabeh is widely regarded as one of Mashhad’s most pristine natural areas and appeals to travellers seeking unspoiled nature and varied leisure options. Shandiz, by contrast, is especially famous for its renowned restaurants. If your priority is scenic nature and a variety of outdoor activities, Torqabeh may be preferable; if fine dining is your primary goal, Shandiz could be the better pick. Ultimately the right choice depends on personal tastes.
Torqabeh offers a wide range of restaurants that have improved in quality as the area has become more tourist-oriented. Many establishments serve traditional Khorasani fare, grilled dishes and other Iranian favourites. Below are some of the better-known options.
Address: Torqabeh, after Anbaran, start of Jagharaq
Instagram: @tashreefat
Phone: 09032938005
Opening hours: 12:00–00:30
Tashrifat is one of Torqabeh’s best-known restaurants and is notable not only for its menu but for its setting: the complex features 14 individually designed gazebos and a private car park with capacity for about 1,500 vehicles. With warm, welcoming spaces, lush grounds, attractive gazebos and a variety of cafés and dining halls, it has become a destination in itself. The menu is extensive — their shishlik (grilled lamb chops) is a local highlight — and while prices are on the high side, many diners consider the experience worthwhile. The restaurant is often busy, so reservations are recommended.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Boulevard Imam Reza (between Imam Reza 1 and 3)
Instagram: @aita_caferestaurant
Phone: 09128509070
Opening hours: 13:00–01:00
Aita is a multi-level venue with a restaurant, banquet hall and café. Known for fresh, high-quality ingredients, Aita’s menu includes lamb kebab, chicken kebab, shishlik and other classic Iranian grilled dishes, as well as fast-food options. Service is professional and portions generous; the restaurant’s premium ingredients are reflected in slightly higher prices.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Anbaran Road (between Anbaran 2 and 4)
Website: ghasre-khorshid.com
Instagram: @ghasrekhorshidtorghabe
Phone: 09151062007
Opening hours: 08:00–01:00
This tourist complex offers elegant, well-equipped gazebos set within attractive green grounds. It is suitable for family gatherings and private events. The menu includes Iranian and international dishes plus varied breakfasts, and the complex’s café serves coffee, herbal teas and pastries.
Address: Anbaran-Jagharaq Road, Jagharaq 11, Torqabeh-Shandiz County
Instagram: @diziseyedjaghargh
Phone: 05134253351
Opening hours: 13:00–24:00
Seyed & Sons, located on the scenic Anbaran–Jagharaq route, is a long-established local favourite. The restaurant is known for its pleasant mountain setting and signature stone-pot “dizi” stew, as well as kebabs including shishlik, chicken and koobideh. Many customers praise the quality and flavour of the food.
Address: Torqabeh, Jaddeh Torqabeh, Boulevard Imam Reza 17
Instagram: @damon_fb
Phone: 05135512224
Damon is a spacious restaurant and café on Boulevard Imam Reza with a varied menu that includes kebabs, salads, rice and stews, as well as breakfast items, pasta, pizza, soups, cakes and beverages. Hookah is available. Damon’s modern ambience and broad menu make it suitable for groups, though prices align with the area’s mid-to-upper range.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, 2 km on Naqandar Road, Chalidaareh tourism zone
Instagram: @chalidareh
Phone: 09394004002
Chalidaareh is an affordable adrenaline and family activity park. Attractions include a zip line, bungee jumping, a safari park, chair lift and water activities. Popular water activities include pedal boats and fishing. Sample 1404 (2025) price indications for some activities: buggy rides 700,000–800,000 toman; pony riding 150,000 toman; haunted tunnel 150,000 toman; carriage rides 150,000 toman; trampoline 100,000 toman; novelty robot rides 150,000 toman; drift experience 3,000,000 toman; children’s ride cars 150,000 toman. (Prices are indicative and subject to change — check the complex directly before travel.)
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Boulevard Imam Reza, Teacher (Moallem) Boulevard, opposite Social Security
Instagram: @karting_azadi
The Azadi karting track is one of Mashhad’s best kart circuits. The track covers 5,000 square metres and is open to the public. Facilities include modern, safe karts, a café and free parking. Minimum age and weight rules typically apply (for example, minimum 10 years old and maximum weight 90 kg) — confirm before arrival.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Boulevard Imam Reza, at Imam Reza 8 corner
Instagram: @vilajtouristcomplex
Vilaj Tourist is a contemporary shopping and entertainment complex on the road to Torqabeh. Covering approximately 5,500 square metres across four floors, it contains around 240 retail units, an amusement zone, food court, roof garden, cinema, bank branches, toilets, prayer room and a currency exchange. The mall’s range of goods and dining options makes it a convenient stop on the way to Torqabeh.
Torqabeh’s charm rests largely in its network of mountain villages and summer settlements, each offering distinct landscapes, traditional architecture and local produce.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Jagharaq rural district
Kang’s terraced, stepped architecture is often compared to northern Iran’s Masuleh: roofs of lower houses serve as courtyards for houses above. The village’s scenery, walnut and cherry orchards, and walking routes make it popular for overnight stays. Attractions include the Hammam-e Gabr waterfall, Hisar fortress, Shah Abbasi caravanserai, local religious sites, an historic cemetery, Falsakeh castle, a sacred spring and the tombs of Abdullah Ansari and Bibi Ameneh.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Jagharaq rural district
Naghandar is an old, pleasant village along the route from Torqabeh to Kang. Historic features include an old fort, a village cemetery and the tomb of Sheikh Jamal al-Din Muhammad Naghandari Tus. The village is also known for cosy cafés and restaurants where travellers pause.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Jagharaq village
Jagharaq is among Torqabeh’s best-known and most scenic settlements. Located southwest of Torqabeh at about 1,500 metres altitude, summers are cool and pleasant but winters can be harsh. A notable attraction is a 700-year-old plane tree with an impressive trunk roughly two metres across.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Jagharaq rural district
Dehbar lies about 18 kilometres from Torqabeh, tucked into a dramatic valley on the slopes of the Binalud range. The village’s rivers and orchards make it a great destination for nature walkers.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Torqabeh rural district
Mayan is a stepped mountain village with sloping roofs and colourful houses reminiscent of northern Iranian settlements. Local livelihoods include animal husbandry and agriculture. Mayan comprises three sections — Lower, Middle and Upper Mayan — and a river sourced from Binalud runs through the valley. Notable landmarks include the shrine of Imamzadeh Mirza Arab, ancient gravestones and old yew trees.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Torqabeh rural district
Ozghad is a picturesque highland village with attractive autumn scenery. It is a classic destination for nature lovers and also features historical remains and Timurid-era mosques.
Address: Torqabeh-Shandiz County, Torqabeh district, Jagharaq rural district
Kalateh Ahan, in Torqabeh’s southwestern rural belt, is rich with raspberry, sumac and barberry bushes. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the primary livelihoods; orchards of apples, walnuts, cherries and plums are common. The village’s scenery makes it a rewarding stop.
One of Torqabeh’s most beautiful natural features is the five-valley river, which originates in the Binalud range and flows along the slopes of Falsakeh Mountain. Along its course it passes through narrow, twisting ravines and irrigates orchards before joining a larger river near Golestan dam. The five-valley (Panj-Dareh) river and valley form a scenic, green retreat much appreciated by residents; many people own holiday villas in the area.
To access the river valley by car, head for Targhdareh toward Kalateh Ahan and take the dirt road left at the riverside for roughly two kilometres to reach picnic and recreational areas. Hikers can follow the river upstream from Bar River to the springs at the confluence of two tributaries; the Panj-Dareh valley begins at that junction and the path to the source and pools follows the right bank.
Torqabeh’s parks offer picnic spaces, playgrounds and shaded woodland — popular with both locals and visitors.
Address: Vakilabad Highway, Mashhad / Torqabeh
Vakilabad Forest Park is one of the region’s largest green spaces (about 250,000 square metres). Easily accessible from Vakilabad in Mashhad, it features shaded picnic areas, gazebos, dining facilities and a well-planned layout for family outings.
Address: Three kilometres north of Torqabeh
Kamar Maghbula is not a leafy park but a natural stone park featuring volcanic and sculpted rocks with distinct forms and carved patterns. It is a geological curiosity rather than a manicured garden. Visitors should respect the stones and avoid damaging them.
Address: Torqabeh, Moallem Boulevard (after Moallem 8)
Bahman Park occupies about 8,500 square metres at the entrance to Torqabeh. It is a popular picnic spot with tall trees, children’s play areas (approximately 270 square metres) and facilities for families.
Address: Torqabeh, Moallem Boulevard (after Moallem 8)
Pooneh Park sits beside a riverside and is one of Torqabeh’s most loved parks. It features three ornamental fountains, dining options, gazebos, a children’s play area and small shops — a neat, family-friendly green space.
