Qeshm

Top Natural Attractions to Visit In Qeshm

1. Chahkooh Canyon

Chahkooh Canyon is so beautiful and unique that when you step into it, you feel like you have stepped on another planet. This canyon is the art of nature. The atmosphere here feels different and strange. In the canyon, the rocky walls are 100 meters high with amazingly weird shaps. This place inadvertently fascinates you with its majesty.

Chahkooh Canyon is one of the Seven wonders of Qeshm. It is also one of the main sites of Qeshm Geopark. You can find it in the western part of the northern coast of Qeshm Island, in the central part of the geopark.

2. Laft Historical Village

This village is one of the most beautiful sights of Qeshm. That’s why Laft attracts many local and foreign tourists every year.

It is because of its numerous historical and natural attractions such as eco-museum, ancient pier, Tala wells, beach, unique architectures, and the date gardens. This village is one of the oldest in Iran, on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

3. Hengam Island

Hengam Island is a small and spectacular island in the Persian Gulf that will simply amaze you. With its indigenous and traditional features, the island is home to unique beaches, playful dolphins, spectacular wildlife, endless seas, spectacular groves, limestone mountains, and fascinating bazaars, as well.

And of course, there is no hustle and bustle of the cities on the island(Iran destinations).

4. The Valley of Stars

The Valley of Stars is a unique geological phenomenon. It is on the list of Qeshm’s Seven Wonders also. This valley is more than two million years old and dazzles the eyes of every viewer.

Such a miracle does not have many similar specimens in the world. The same thing makes it one of the most mysterious and interesting attractions. The pointed cones, huge columns, and high walls are the result of erosion caused by seasonal showers, surface waters, and hurricanes.

5. Hara Forest or Mangrove Forest

Moving through the waters of Hara forest, you will see green trees as if they grew in the middle of a pile of wood. Interestingly, these woods are actually the roots of the trees.

Surprisingly, the ends of the roots are facing the sky. These roots are capable of converting saltwater into freshwater. The same ability has helped them survive in these conditions for many years.

6. Naz Islands

Another seven wonders of Qeshm, are the Naz Islands. These small islands are one kilometer away from the coast. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. The surprise is that you can walk this one kilometer to get to the islands without fear of drowning. But, to do so you have to wait for the sea level to go down.

7. Kharbas Cave

Kharbas Cave dates back to the Median period. This cave is located in the Zagros Mountains. Kharbas cave has a strange and mysterious architecture with short and long coral hills surrounding it. Its structure is similar to the caves of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Bushehr, Ahvaz, and Shushtar.

*Unfortunately, visiting this site is not allowed any longer.

8. Silver Beach

Silver Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the south of Iran. You can find it in the northwestern part of Hengam Island. The beauties of this beach fascinate the eyes of everyone.

The beach is paved with black and silver sand. Walking on the soft and shiny sands of Hengam Island and watching the beautiful waves of the azure Persian Gulf, feels like being in a dream.

9. The Sacred Fig Tree

The Sacred Fig tree of Qeshm, also known as the Lor tree, is one of the amazing plants of the tropics. And in Iran particularly, the islands of the Persian Gulf host this precious. This large evergreen tree has numerous aerial roots. Deliciously, its ripe, orange fruits are pleasant and edible. One of the most magnificent examples of this tree is living in the Tomsenati village in Qeshm.

10. Qeshm Salt Cave

Qeshm Salt Cave or Namakdan cave features an amazing collection of salt chandeliers, spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, and other attractive salt structures. This cave lies in the arms of the Qeshm salt dome and is 6.4 km long. With a distance of 90 km from the Qeshm city center, this cave is one of the most visited places in Qeshm.

11. Shib Deraz Village

In addition to its unique geological and tourism features, Shib Deraz is very busy and different from the surrounding villages. It is so because of having a port and being on the way to Hengam Island. One of the most important features of this village is the diversity of its animal and aquatic species.

12. The Roof of Qeshm

On the western part of Qeshm Island, there is the roof of Qeshm. These high parts of the island are of limestone and the slopes of sandstone, marl, and silt. In fact, these heights are semi-high plateaus that form a large area of ​​the island. They have become one of the natural tourist attractions of Qeshm. Because they let you enjoy the beautiful view of the mangrove forests and the northern shores of the Persian Gulf from above.

13. Kaseh Salakh Area

Kaseh Salakh on the south coast of Qeshm Island includes an area of ​​35 square kilometers. Unexpectedly, there is no vegetation in this big area. This part of the island is spectacular due to its healing sulfur spring and several thousand small and large cone-shaped hills. These hills are the result of erosion over time.

Top Historical Attractions to Visit In Qeshm

1. Guran Dam

In Guran village, there is a dam of the same name, dating back to the first Pahlavi dynasty. Some experts and archaeologists believe that the foundation of this structure belongs to the Achaemenid era. And its crown dates back to the Sassanid era. Freshwater is one of the features of this dam. That’s why it is very important and valuable among the residents.

2. Portuguese Fort

In the early 16th century, a sailor named Alfonso Alberkerk ordered the construction of a castle in the northern part of Qeshm Island. Now, we know it as the Portuguese Fort. A few columns, a reservoir, and a watchtower are the only things left of this castle.

3. Bibi Water Reservoir

Bibi Reservoir is one of the oldest on Qeshm Island. It is over two centuries old and is still in use by the local people. The architecture of this historical monument is interesting and spectacular in its kind.

4. Historical Cemeteries in Qeshm

On Qeshm Island, there are several cemeteries. Each of them has an ancient history and shows the antiquity of this part of the country. In many of these cemeteries, there are graves that are several centuries old. The cemetery of Kousha village has a history of about 12 centuries. The cemetery of Tourian has a history of about 10 centuries. And finally, the cemetery of Tomsenati village dates back to 9 centuries ago.

5. Tala Water Wells

Tala wells are a creative example of rainwater storage architecture. 366 wells in a place where even modern advanced machines can hardly drill are amazing. These wells are the reason that people could live in Laft. You can find Tala wells between the main mosque of Laft village and Naderi historical castle.

6. Bibi Maryam’s Tomb

Bibi Maryam’s tomb, in the village of Tomsenati, dates back to the eighth century AH. In the building, you can see the features of Seljuk architecture. The dome is made of marine corals and the inside is covered with shell lime. The short door of the tomb also opens to a large cemetery with cactus flowers planted on its graves.

7. Qeshm Noopak Crocodile Park

Crocodile Park or Noopak Park is the first and largest crocodile park in the Middle East. The Noopak complex is the source of zoological information on crocodiles in the country. Moreover, it is the first and only crocodile breeding and maintenance center in the Middle East.

8. Qeshm Shipbuilding and Repair Company

Qeshm Shipbuilding and Repair Company is located near Guran Port. In fact, it is one of the most interesting attractions on the island. It is also the Guran Traditional Maritime Open Museum.

9. Zeytoon (Olive) Park

Qeshm Olive Park has a pleasing design with gazeboes in every corner. It is close to City Center Mall. Additionally, it has leisure, cultural, and sports facilities, four-dimensional cinema, a skating rink, bike paths, a football field, a coffee house, coffee shop, and a beautiful beach to enjoy.

10. Qeshm Global Geopark Museum

Qeshm Geopark Museum is one of the most complete wildlife museums in Iran in terms of biodiversity. It includes more than three thousand specimens of animals in an area of ​​1000 square meters.

One of the features of this place that distinguishes it from other museums in the country is that more than 95% of its specimens are native. In the end, let me add that part of the museum is dedicated to the island’s handicrafts, including works by Qeshmian women artists.

11. Qeshm Island Aquarium

Golden Butterfly Aquarium, or Qeshm Island Aquarium, is one of the most interesting places in Qeshm. It is near the important shopping malls on the island. With an area of ​​1000 square meters, this aquarium includes 180 species of aquatic species in the world. Some of the rarest fish in the aquarium include angelfish.

*Unfortunately, visiting this site is not allowed for now.

12. Negin Sahel Diving and Marine Recreational Center

This center was selected as the SSI diving center of Germany in 2016. In this center, they hold all stages of diving classes from beginner to teacher training courses. Offering marine recreation facilities is another service of Negin Sahel diving center.

13. Hamoon Recreation and Tourism Complex

This Complex is one of the largest entertainment complexes on the island. It has a variety of recreational facilities such as a boating pier, natural aquarium, and cycling track. Popular activities in this complex include beach sports, horseback riding, jet-skiing, boating, and water skiing.

14. Khalo Saleh Museum

Khalo Saleh Museum is the first private museum on Qeshm Island. They set up this museum in 2009. The museum collection consists of 355 pieces with complete identity cards. They include utensils, tools, and equipment for agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, navigation, shipbuilding, and clothing.

15. Nakhoda (Captain) Ali Museum

This museum is the second personal museum on the island, which was opened in 2009. Captain Ali collected all the objects of this museum from the lovers of culture and art of the region. Agriculture and fishing tools, utensils, and jewelry are among the items of this museum. Near the wells of Tala, in the historic port of Laft you can visit this museum.

16. Direstan Anthropology Museum

In this museum, there are 120 pieces of objects. They are in the form of manuscripts, agricultural and naval tools, local clothes, utensils, and tombstones dating back more than 400 years. The oldest piece in the museum is a pottery jar that dates back to 6 centuries ago.

17. Qeshm Traditional Bazaar

Qeshm’s traditional bazaar is not only a suitable place for shopping but also it is a bed to touch the indigenous culture of the island people. Numerous market entrances lead to different rows and passages. In this bazaar, you can buy all kinds of clothes, handicrafts, jewelry, and food souvenirs. Beyond everything, let’s mention its reasonable prices and proximity to the city center and Shahid Zakeri pier.

18. The Dargahan Old Market

Among the numerous shopping malls on the island, Dargahan Bazaar is the destination for most tourists. The variety of goods and their reasonable prices have made this market one of the best shopping options.

19. Qeshm City Center Mall

You can find City Center Shopping Mall in Hormoz Park, by the sea, and in the new and southern part of the city. The modern design of this market, the large open space, and the beautiful view of the sea, Lark, and Hormoz Islands make it more special and spectacular for the visitors.

There are lots of other malls to explore on this island. They are all close and you can find them easily.