Iran is one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting countries, and an eye-opening travel destination. From mesmerizing desert landscapes to the shores of the Persian Gulf. From the ruins of Persepolis to the modern streets of Tehran. From charming mountain villages to lively historic bazaars.
Today’s Iran is a complicated, intriguing, but also a fascinating place, with some of the most welcoming and curious people you will ever meet. I traveled through Iran in 2013, and in this video I take you back to 10 favorite places that I visited.
For other travel documentaries in a similar ‘Top 10’ format, click here:
Top 10 Places in Shanghai: https://youtu.be/E-t59SPeFaw
Top 10 Places in China: https://youtu.be/hbgo66q1s9o
Top 10 Places in India: https://youtu.be/HWGzQlrJOqM
Top 10 Places on Java, Indonesia: https://youtu.be/XCN481gxmoY
Top 10 Places in Central Asia: https://youtu.be/ZC8OkVxbxh4
Top 10 Villages in China: https://youtu.be/88qRfULn4Uw
Top 10 Places in Ethiopia: https://youtu.be/2xW9mTStyhM
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Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media
Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:
We start this journey in Esfahan, one of Iran’s most beautiful and friendliest cities, attracting tourists and travelers from afar. It is filled with captivating monuments, historic buildings, tranquil gardens, museums, and in general provides a great introduction to daily life in Iran.
After Esfahan, we travel to Kerman, a city on the fringes of the desert. It is most popular for what lies outside the city, the remains of the ‘Arg’ (an ancient citadel), and the small town of Rayen with its beautiful gardens and shrine. Not far from here are the Kaluts, some of Iran’s most spectacular desert scenery. These places are best reached by private vehicle, as public transport here is limited.
Iran has a long coastline and several island, the largest of which is Qeshm, in the Persian Gulf. This island is relatively underdeveloped and retains much of its traditional characteristics. It’s a great way to get an insight into local Bandari culture, and to witness some of the local economy at work, including agriculture, fishing, and the construction of classic ‘lenge’ boats.
Shiraz is regarded as the center of Persian culture for the last two millennia, and has some of the country’s most beautiful ancient bazaars and historic mosques. It’s also home for the tombs of Hafez and Sa’di, two poets that hold a special place in Iranian society and literature. The ruins of Persepolis, just outside Shiraz, evoke images of a thriving ancient Persia, and should not be missed.
The next destination is Tehran, the bustling capital city, and beating economic heart, of Iran. As the most secular and liberal city in the country, it’s the best place to learn about modern Iran. Qom, on the other hand, is one of the conservative ‘strongholds’ in the country, and provides an interesting contrast with Tehran.
We travel further to Kandovan, a beautiful mountain village where some of the houses are carved out of eroded rocks. It’s near Tabriz, the final destination in the video, famous for its magnificent bazaar.