Kashan

Kashan is a city in the Isfahan province of Iran. Kashan is the first of the large oases along the Qom-Kerman road which runs along the edge of the central deserts of Iran. Its charm is thus mainly due to the contrast between the parched immensities of the deserts and the greenery of the well-tended oasis. Archeological discoveries in the Sialk Hillocks which lie 4 km (2.5 miles) west of Kashan reveal that this region was one of the primary centers of civilization in pre-historic ages. Hence Kashan dates back to the Elamite period of Iran. The Sialk ziggurat still stands today in the suburbs of Kashan after 7000 years. After well-known Iranian historical cities such as Isfahan and Shiraz, Kashan is a common destination for foreign tourists because of its many historical sites.

By plane
Kashan has its own airport, but the only flight that serves it as of April, 2019 connects the city with Mashhad. Other nearby airports are in Tehran and Isfahan. A taxi to Tehran Airport cost 1,200,000 rials in April, 2017.

By train
Kashan is well-served by trains, as it's a stop on the main line between Tehran and Isfahan. There's up to 10 departures from per day in each direction. Additionally, overnight trains between Tehran and cities in central and southeastern parts of Iran, such as Yazd, Shiraz and Kerman.



By bus
Kashan is situated around 250 km south of Tehran. A bus ride from Tehran's South Terminal (Terminal-e-jonub) takes at least three hours. From Isfahan, the distance is 220 km, there are frequent buses from the Kaveh terminal, 2.5 hours.

Buses tend to drop passengers at or, particularly for transit buses merely passing Kashan on their way to another destination. Expect enough taxis hanging around.

For leaving Kashan, head to the.

Get around
Most historical houses and the Agha Bozorg mosque can easily be reached on foot. A taxi to the Fin Garden should not cost more than 80,000 rials (Jan 2016). For sights further outside the city, consider hiring a taxi.

Nearby

 * , a famous, historic Iranian village is in Natanz County, near Kashan. With a unique reddish hue, the village is one of the oldest in Iran, attracting numerous native and foreign tourists year-round, especially during traditional feasts and ceremonies. The village has been called an entrance to Iranian history. The local clothing, for example, is in a style of great antiquity. An Abyunaki woman typically wears a white long scarf (covering the shoulders and upper trunk) which has a colourful pattern and an under-knee skirt. Even the most immediate villages' women have different dress style so that one could tell if she is from Abyaneh or not. Climb up a hill just outside the village to enjoy a fantastic view on Abyaneh. The village can be accessed on a day trip from Kashan, or you can hire a driver to take you to Abyaneh, Natanz (100,000 rial entrance), and drop you in Isfahan (US$50 per car including toll and gas).
 * In the small town of, you can visit the fire temple dating back to Sassanian times, a man-made cave, a Qajar palace, a waterfall, a bathhouse from the Safavid era, a water mill, and the village itself, of course. While none of the attractions is overwhelming by itself, it is a leisurely half-day trip.
 * In spring, the little town of is worth visiting. It is the biggest center in the Middle East for producing rose water.

Maranjab desert
A trip to the sand dunes of the Maranjab desert, a salt lake and a caravanserai is on the list of many Kashan visitors (US$40 per car). It can be combined with a visit in the small town of Noushabad with its underground city (a shelter people dug to take refuge from the Mongolian invaders) and the mud castle and the Holy Shrine of Helal Ali in the town Aran va Bidgol. It is also possible to have an overnight stay in the caravanserai arranged, but don't expect too much comfort; also it can get pretty crowded with tourists during high season; US$30 per person including taxi ride (as of 2017).

Do
There are a few must-dos in Kashan: make sure to visit the traditional bazaar and walk around a bit in the neighbouring streets to catch the feeling of an Iranian town on the fringe of the desert. Make sure to visit Fin garden and, if you happen to visit Kashan in the right season, the rose gardens in the suburb. And, of course, visit one or two of the historical houses.

For many travellers, Kashan is the first stop after busy and noisy Tehran. It is well worth to plan an extra day in Kashan, as its traditional hotels, the tea houses, and its gardens will inspire you to linger around, take a rest and recharge your batteries. For this purpose, the attractions are best visited without a guide.

Buy
Carpet and rose water are the two well-known products of the city. You will see numerous shops trying to sell rose water and other aromatic liquids to tourists.

Traditional cookies.

Eat
The traditional hotels of Kashan all have decent restaurants where lunch and dinner are available. Apart from this, there are traditional restaurants near the sights, and several garden restaurants line on the road next to Fin Garden. All of them serve Persian food only. Fast food shops can be found in all busier streets.

Sleep
Kashan is a small town where the tourism infrastructure is not yet fully developed. Accommodation should be reserved well in advance if you travel in the tourism season. In the high season, locals offer private rooms.

Go next
Kashan is located on the Tehran - Qom - Natanz - Isfahan route. Thus, Tehran and Isfahan are the two logical next stops of most visitors.
 * Kashan can be your last stop in Iran before flying home. It is possible to bargain with taxi drivers for a trip to Imam Khomeini airport of Tehran, expect to pay less than 1 million rials (in January 2016). Alternatively, driver-guides can take you to the airport with a stopover in Qom to visit Iran's second holiest place, the Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh. If you choose this option, be sure to dress as conservatively as you can.
 * Na'in is another desert city, to the south. It's a small and quiet town at the edge of desert. A perfect pattern of a desert town. Everything you like to see in a desert town you can find there. Take the buses to Yazd or Kerman or Zahedan and ask the driver to let you off in Na'in. There is an easier way; be on "Avarezi" check point to get the Tehran-Na'in buses which cross there at 13:00 and 20:00.
 * Mashhad Ardehal