★★★★★

Hormozgan

Stars Valley

Kish Beaches

Chahkouh Valley

Harra (Mangrove) Protected Area

Underground Kariz City

Portuguese Castle

Harireh Ancient City

Greek Ship

Kish Aquarium

Dolphins Park

Marjan Beach Park (Coral beach)

Ocean Water Park

The Salt Dome

Hezareh Castle

Horror Castle

Geno Hot Springs

Hormozgan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is in the south of the country, in Iran's Region 2, facing Oman and UAE. Its area is 70,697 km2 (27,296 sq mi), and its provincial capital is Bandar Abbas. The province has fourteen islands in the Persian Gulf and 1,000 km (620 mi) of coastline. The province has 13 major cities: Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Hajiabbad, Minab, Qeshm, Sardasht, Sirik, Jask, Bastak, Bandar Khamir, Parsian, Rudan, and Abumusa. The province has 13 counties (or districts), 69 municipalities, and 2,046 villages. In 2011 a little more than 1.5 million people resided in Hormozgan Province

Stars Valley

Located near Berkehkhalaf Village, not far from the Town of Qeshm, the Star Valley is at present the most visited among all Geosites. The Star Valley is a unique example among all Geosites to study erosion. The local name for this area is “Estalah-kaftah” which means “the Fallen Star”. The reason for naming this area as such is that the locals believe that once upon a time a sky meteor has hit the earth at this site and as a result of this collision, the stones and soil have been thrown in the air and been frozen, forming these geological structures. There are also local beliefs regarding the presence of Ghosts and “Jinns” in this valley during the dark which may be due to the unusual geological forms and wind blowing into the Valley at night. The geological morphology of this site is the result of erosion by rainstorms, wind and gravity on various layers.

Kish Beaches

In the sand beach of Kish, the ground is coral and shines like silver under the Sun. The blue, transparent sea makes the bottom of the sea clearly visible. Coral is what creates this unique beauty. The corals around the island purify the water and make it see-through. Tranquil coasts along with the beautiful corals getting together provide a shelter for pretty colorful fish. Shining beach, blue sky, sea waves, and green coconut trees create spectacular scenery that no master artist can create. The other side of the island is also popular for its sunsets and evenings. Fishing fans can catch fish on southern and western coasts. The color of the coasts of the island is coral shining white, a color that becomes more beautiful when mixed with the sunlight.

Chahkouh Valley

There are two valleys plumbed on each other vertically. It is a narrow valley with vertical rims and wonderful formations, which seems to be representing a creative artist’s demonstration. This valley which has been created in a layer of sand and due to the existence of marl layers, silt and lime and their dissolving erosion in holes, several beautiful ruts have been created. Since the floor of the valley is the place on which water flows after each time raining, the locals have graved well (Chah in Persian) on it to make use of water

Harra (Mangrove) Protected Area

Harra Protected Area is a collection of green Mangrove or Harra coastal trees and are considered the sights with their streams, beautiful birds and intact wild nature in Hormozgan Province. Harra complex in the north west of Qeshm is known as biosphere reservoir for its international significance. This protected area has an area of 85, 86 hectares and also one of the 11 biosphere reservoirs in Iran. Harra is a plant from the family of verbena.

Underground Kariz City

Cultural tourism complex of underground city of Kish (Kariz), is one of the island’s attractions and lots of tourists come to visit it each year. Cultural tourism underground city of Kish, was built at the junction of three ancient aqueducts (kariz). The three aqueducts are over 2000 years old, and over 15 km long, which are now turned into an astonishing underground city that is more than ten thousand square meters. This cultural tourism complex of Kish hosts over one hundred thousand domestic and foreign tourists each year.

Portuguese Castle

The Fort of Our Lady of the Conception, also known as the Portuguese Castle is mainly in the peripheral areas of the Persian Gulf, Qeshm Port, Kong, Oman, Ra’s al-Khaimah, in Qeshm, Hormoz Island and other places. The Portuguese Castle, is a red stone fortress on Hormuz Island, Iran. It is one of the last surviving monuments of Portuguese colonial rule in the Persian Gulf. The castle was originally cut off from the rest of the island by a moat, traces of which still remain. Although most of the roof caved in long ago, much of the lower part of the very substantial outer walls is intact, with the remains lying on different levels of the site.

Harireh Ancient City

Harireh is an ancient 8th century city located in what is now Kish, Iran. Its area is about 3 square km. This splendid archaeological site comprises the remains of a large house with private Qanat (underground water channel), a public Hammam (bath) and a congregational mosque. It was originally positioned next to a busy commercial port; across the road, you can still see access stairs cut into the rocky cliff, as well as rock-cut wells and channels that were part of workshops producing date nectar, once it was one of the island's major exports. Artefacts found during excavation of this settlement indicate that it was established around 1000 AD, occupied 120 hectares and was abandoned around 1600.

Greek Ship

The Greek Ship is the nickname of a cargo steamship, Khoula F, that has been beached on the southwest coast of Kish Island since 1966. She was built by William Hamilton and Company in Port Glasgow, Scotland, who launched her on 9 March 1943 as Empire Trumpet and completed her in April 1943. From 1946 to 1966 she passed through a series of British and Iranian owners and various changes of name. Her final owners were Greek, and it is from them that she derives her nickname. On 25 July 1966, Koula F ran aground on the south-western coast of Kish in the Persian Gulf. The Dutch salvage tug Orinoco tried to refloat her but was unsuccessful. Her insurers declared Khoula F a total loss and she has remained beached ever since. Her condition has deteriorated and her stem has started to break up.

Kish Aquarium

One of the Kish tourist attractions is Kish Aquarium. It is interesting to know that Kish Aquarium is a separate aquarium with a capacity of 20,000 liters specifically made for fresh water fish and there are nearly seventy kinds of decorative fish in it which are very rare in shape, natural color, scales and appearance. There are some rare complexes in this area and many salty water and fresh water fish are in some parts of it and different reptiles such as snakes and alligators are in the other part of it. Rare birds and mammals can also be seen in another part of the aquarium.

Dolphins Park

Dolphins Park or “Dolphinarium” is one of the most beautiful recreational parks of Middle East with an area more than one million square meters, built by the investments of the private section. Visiting this beautiful complex with thousands of date trees and several other plant species, and the wonderful show of Dolphins, Seals and Porpoises is fascinating for any tourist.

Marjan Beach Park (Coral beach)

Marjan beach (Coral Beach) Park which is located near Marjan bazar is one of the most spectacular centers of Kish and connects Marjan bazar to the beach. The Coral Beach of Kish is so blue and clean that any moving creature can be seen under the water for the existence of corals in various shapes and colorful oyster shells and different snails and sea stones frequently brought to the coast by the water of the gulf.

Ocean Water Park

Ocean Water Park is a 5.6 hectare outdoor water park located in Kish Island, Iran. It is the first Iranian themed water park and outdoor water park, themed based on story of the Mystery of the Sun Castle. It opened in January 2017 and has 13 rides, four swimming pools and one spa in addition to two restaurants, four beverage stops and coffee shops and two shopping areas. The Water Park’s theming has been implemented under the supervision of Ahmad Jafari, veteran architect and Disney NFFC legend. The water park has several localized features, as well as unique rides in the region. Ocean Water park also has one of the tallest rides in the region, Pichaloop, with a 24 meters drop.

The Salt Dome

The Salt Dome is located on the south western part of Qeshm island, and hosts the longest salt cave of the world (Namakdan Cave) that has 6 km length. Salt domes are formed when a huge amount of salt moves towards the earth’s surface due to its light structure compared to its surrounding structures. The Salt domes have many interesting aspects such as salt falls, salt springs and salt caves, with various geological formations that have been prone to erosion and dissolution processes. Some of the most amazing structures that may be found inside the Salt Cave are Stalactites and Stalagmites, as well as salt crystals (needle-shaped, round, or multi-facet) formed by sedimentation of salt. Another interesting phenomenon around the Salt Dome, is the presence of very shiny and silvery particles, reflecting the presence of Oligist (a type of Iron oxide) that may be observed on the sandy beaches, creating a beautiful landscape.

Hezareh Castle

The only historical monument in Minab is a castle known as Hezareh Castle or Bibi Minu Castle which is one of the most attractive sections of Hormozgan Province. The local people call the castle Bibi Minu Castle and believe that two sisters named “Bibi Minu” and “Bibi Nazanin” had established Minab in the past. It seems that there have been two castles in the past, one of which has been destroyed and the other one has remained and become famous as “Hezareh” or Bibi Minu. The nearest tourist attraction to the castle is Minab river.

Horror Castle

Horror, screams and excitement in the first horror castle of Iran in the ever spring island of Kish. It is a couple hundred-meter cottage in Kish Island, an exciting and attractive place for those who like to experience excitement and horror in their entire body.

Geno Hot Springs

Hot water springs are capable of treating skin diseases, nerves, psoriasis, digestion, anaemia, pulmonary, cardiovascular, etc. The use of mineral water springs has an ancient history, and the history of their use can be considered synonymous with the history of human civilization. 231 hot springs have been created in Iran due to volcanic activity. In the province of Hormozgan, the Geno spa is hot sulphur chloride sulphate chloride water and has a lot of therapeutic properties due to its significant amount of chloride. Geno Hot Water Spring and Geno Touris Complex are close to Bandar-e Abbas in Hormozgan and is considered one of the tourist and therapeutic attractions of the region.