Article by: Zahra Mohammadi, Persian Walk’s local tour guide in Kashan & Ehsan Niroumand, Co-founder of Persian Walk. Photos by: Zahra Mohammadi, Ehsan Niroumand & Mehdi Nazeri (Maranjab Desert Photo)
Kashan is a captivating city nestled in the heart of Iran, renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and serene gardens. It offers a delightful contrast to the bustling metropolis of Tehran, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a world of tranquility and cultural heritage. Also, the city location is so good that you can easily travel by bus, taxi, and train. It’s located on the way to Isfahan from Tehran and travelers can easily reach it and enjoy their time there. Here we introduce the 15 best things to do in Kashan , please stay tuned.
1. Kashan Free Walking tour
To experience the main things to do in Kashan, you can join the Persian Walk daily Kashan free walking tour. A local Persian Walk guide and storyteller will accompany you through the fascinating streets, alleys, homes, and the historical bazaar of Kashan. She will share insights into the authentic lives of Kashan’s people and their culture.
2. Handicrafts Center of Cultural Heritage
Textile in Kashan has a deep root and plays an important role in the history of Iran. There are a lot of museums and workshops that show the evolution of this art. From spindles found in Sialk Ancient Hills to textile and carpet weaving workshops located in the historical districts
But if you don’t have enough time and have only one choice to visit, I recommend you visit the Handicrafts Center of Cultural Heritage on Molla-Fatollah Street.
3. Kashan Historical Houses
One of the unique things to do in Kashan is explore the Iranian houses. Kashan has been known as the world city of houses so visiting two top of historical houses is highly recommended; Tababtabaei Historical House and Boroojerdi Historical House (the first one for its magic architecture and the second for its unique paintings) are the best examples of Iranian architecture which is has a kind of introvert.
4. Fin Garden
One of the nine UNESCO World Heritage Persian Gardens located in the west of Kashan. Fin Garden has rich architecture, old trees, clear water, wonderful paintings, a historical bathhouse, and a national museum. It takes 10 minutes to drive from the city center. Persian Gardens are called Pardis in the Persian language and it means heaven. Also, the word Pardis was entered into other languages like Paradise in English, and Paradiso in Italian.
5. Sialk Ancient Hills and its Museum
Kashan boasts a history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of human settlement as far back as the Elamite period. The ancient Sialk Hillocks, located just outside the city, are a testament to this rich past, featuring the world’s oldest ziggurat. You can’t come to Kashan and not see its ancient hills. Sialk is full of the story of the ancient people and their civilization over 7,000 years. The influence of the Sialk to the other civilizations like Susa is evident. Also, in the Sialk Museum, you can see the human journey from the nomadic period to the settlement.
6. Pottery Shops
Visiting pottery workshops, as one of the oldest industries in Iran, is one of the essential things to do in Kashan. You can also include your experience working with the pottery wheel in your to-do list. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it. On Persian Walk daily Kashan Free Walking Tour we will visit a pottery shop based on your request.
7. Foods and drinks
Is it possible to discover a city without eating the traditional and native food, and sweets and knowing the food habits of its people? Definitely not. I suggest you try its traditional food in the traditional restaurants of Kashan and also taste the local sweetmeat of Kashan as well as its local and cool syrups. In Kashan, there are a lot of distilleries that distill rosewater. Kashan is the capital of rosewater in Iran. Iranians use rosewater in their cuisine. In many Iranian dishes and drinks, you can find rosewater or Golab. One of the most unique of them is Iranian traditional ice cream that consists of rosewater and Saffron. Also, in many drinks like mocktails and tea, you can find rosewater. It is highly recommended to try these foods and drinks.
8. Kashan Bazaar
Would you like to experience different things to do in Kashan? The historical bazaar of Kashan with its extraordinary architecture and mysterious vestibules and corridors that each of them leads to a caravansary, mosque, shrine, or secret alley. This bazaar has a lot of secrets that you can explore by joining our daily Free Walking Tour Kashan.
9. Sultan Amir Ahmad bathhouse
Sultan Amir Ahmad bathhouse (Hammam) is an incredible and historical bath with infinite decoration and smart architecture and engineering in water conduction and vapor control.
10. Agha Bozorg mosque
As the bride of the Western Asian mosques with a design based on the golden calculations of mathematics with its nobility and purity gives you a feeling of spiritual peace.
11. Jalali Castle and the historical wall of Kashan
Tell us the story of this city’s looting, hostility, and politics during the time, and remind us of the vital role of Kashan in the development of Iran. Beside this wall, you can explore the Yakhchal (the hole of ice) of Kashan, the ancient freezer (Yakhcahl) used during hot summers. Zahra, the Persian Walk you guide tells you more stories about the wall and Yakhchal on the daily Kashan Free Walking Tour.
12. Niyasar
With a 40-minute drive to the west of Kashan, you can visit Niyasar village and its ancient fire temple, waterfall, and Niyasar cave (Rais) which was a Mithraeum. This village has cooler weather and a lot to show you.
13. Qamsar and Rosewater Distilleries
Qamsar City (which is located near Kashan), and its museum related to rose water distillation (Iran’s only rose water museum) are amazing and worth visiting. Kashan is the center of extract distillery in Iran and produces a lot of different extracts like rosewater, mint extract, orange blossom extract, chicory extract, and many more. on the Kashan free walking tour, you can visit a distillery in Kashan and listen to stories of rosewater from our storyteller.
14. Nushabad
5km north of Kashan, in Nushabad city, you can visit the Ouyi underground ancient city that was discovered recently. This giant underground city has three floors. Nushabad people escaped to this underground city whenever there was a big threat like an attack on their city. This underground city is very special and it is one of the best things to do in Kashan if you stay more than a night in Kashan.
15. Aran o Bidgol & Maranjab desert
Would you like to experience different things to do in Kashan? Bidgol and its newly discovered ancient Zoroastrian fire temple are worth visiting. This newly founded fire temple looks sound and perfect. Also, with a 40-minute drive to the east of Bidgol, you reach the Maranjab desert, which is one of the most attractive deserts in Iran. Persian Walk runs a daily Kashan Desert Tour for you with 4WD cars from Kashan.
