Iran – Kashan: merchants historical houses and best hammam of Iran

[prisna-google-website-translator]We’ve travelled to Kashan from Tehran, using a very, very comfortable V.I.P. bus, at the cost of 200’000 rials. The seats are huge, and very comfortable, and they serve you some snacks and juices.

Tehran Kashan VIP bus

In Kashan, you have to sleep in a historical house, and the best 2 in town, which have been converted to boutique hotels are Manouchehri House and Saraye Ameriha Boutique Hotel: I’ve chosen the second one, and I have to say it was one of the best experience of Iran: It is a fully restored historical house of a rich merchant family, and it is full of courtyards and small pools.

Saraye Ameriha Boutique Hotel courtyard

The basic room was beautiful, with carvings and colourful windows all around. And a view on the courtyard.

The view by night in the hotel is even better, as is the dining hall, a white shining room where you can try local specialities.

The main sightseeings, which are the traditional houses, are in the same block. The first house, and probably one of the best one, was the Borujerdi Historical House: the pictures will describe better the view

Borujerdi Historical House 1

Borujerdi Historical House 2

Borujerdi Historical House 3

Borujerdi Historical House view from Sultan Amir Hammam

The view of the “dome” of Borujerdi Historical House above was taken from the roof of Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, which is probably the best historic hammam of Iran, it is truly astonishing. But no, you can’t take a bath, just pictures… very unfortunately.

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse roof

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse inside 2

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse inside

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse main room

Next to the ammam, there is the second historical house, Tabātabāei House, which features a beautiful courtyard and some nice internal decorations.

Tabātabāei House outside 2

Tabātabāei House outside 3

Outside the area of the historical houses, you pay a quick visit to the Agha Bozorg mosque: a walk inside will take you only 10 minutes, and it is quite nice.

Agha Bozorg mosque

Not before late afternoon, you should visit the Bazar, which is quite nice and not so crowded. While walking aorund, you can’t miss a beautiful caravanserrai, which was basically an ancient hotel for merchants travelling around the Silk Way.

Khan Amin al-Dowleh Timch Caravanserai

Khan Amin al-Dowleh Timch Caravanserai 2

Another amazing spot is the Hammam-e Khan, an old hammam converted to a teahouse: you can sip a tea or even smoke a waterpipe. I truly loved this place! Ask around for directions, it is quite a popular place, open also for dinner.

Hammam-e Khan Kashan Bazar

Almost all the tour agencies and hotels, including the Ameriha, organize a early-morning tour to watch the sunrise in the Maranjab Desert near Kashan. During the trip with a 4WD vehicle, you will experience the sun rising up from the sand dunes, and it is truly an breathtaking experience, worth the early wake up! For the 4-hour tour (5 am to 9 am) we paid 60 euros. Very well spent.

Maranjab Desert Kashan sunrise

Maranjab Desert Kashan sunrise 2

Included in tour there is a “visit” to the salt lake: you should know that it is basically a vast part of desert which once was a salt lake, so you will see a desolated land with the soil all cracked up. Definately an interesting and fascinating view! Not to go during the day, at 8am was already crazily hot.

Maranjab Desert Salt Lake 2

Maranjab Desert Salt Lake

Maranjab Desert Salt Lake 3

While Kashan is often skipped in the main tour, I found it truly a gem and an highlight of my trip in Iran, definately worth 1 night and 1 day!

#everydaykashan