These photogenic series of stepped travertine (a type of limestone) terrace pools known as Badab-e Surt are a must-see.
Located an attractive location where the green Alborz Mountains meet the northeastern steppe, Gorgan is an appealing city.
The sprawling capital of Mazandaran, Sari, is a key connecting point if you’re trying to reach Badab-e Surt by public transport.
The city of Qa’en or Ghayen is one of the larger desert towns on the Mashhad – Zahedan corridor.
Between Mashhad and Kerman via the Kaluts, Birjand is the capital of South Khorasan province.
With a claim to being the world’s hottest desert, theThe Kaluts is considered one of Iran’s most exciting adventure destinations.
Kerman is something of a cultural melting pot, blending Persians with the more subcontinental Baluchis, who dominate areas east of here.
The utterly picturesque port town of Kong, a mere 5km east of Bandar-e Lengeh, has remained so far off the tourist radar!
In the cliffs neighbouring Persepolis are two ancient sites called Naqsh-e Rostam and Naqsh-e Rajab that feature rock-hewn tombs.