Qeshm attractions: what to see on the island
Qeshm has canyons and salt caves, a mangrove forest, old villages and small islands nearby. This page introduces the main attractions with how to get there, the best time to go and visiting tips for each. My Qeshm does not take bookings; for tours and transfers go to Qeshm Off.
Attractions by type
Nature and geology
Stars Valley
Stars Valley is one of the best-known geosites of the Qeshm UNESCO Global Geopark: a maze of pillars, sharp ridges and narrow channels carved by rainwater out of soft rock.
Read the guideHara Forest
The Hara forest, known elsewhere as mangrove, is a belt of trees rooted in salty seawater along the northern shore of Qeshm, in the Khuran Strait between the island and Bandar Khamir.
Read the guideNamakdan Salt Cave
Namakdan Cave on Qeshm Island is one of the best-known salt caves, listed among Iran's national natural heritage.
Read the guideChahkooh Canyon
Chahkooh Canyon is a narrow passage between rock walls in the western part of Qeshm Island, near Chahu village.
Read the guideShib Deraz
Shib Deraz (Shibderaz) is a village on the south of Qeshm Island, and its beach is one of the places where hawksbill turtles return to nest.
Read the guideHistory and heritage
Kharbas Caves
The Kharbas caves are historic rock-cut architecture in the heights above Kharbas village, carved by human hands rather than formed by nature.
Read the guidePortuguese Castle
The Portuguese Castle stands in Qeshm City on the island's north-east side and is one of its best-known historic buildings and a geosite of the Qeshm Geopark.
Read the guideTala Wells
The Tala Wells (Chah-haye Tala, also Tal-Av) lie near Bandar Laft on the north of Qeshm Island.
Read the guideIslands
Hengam Island
Hengam is a small, quiet island in the Persian Gulf, just across the water from the south coast of Qeshm.
Read the guideNaz Islands
The Naz Islands are two small rocky islets off Qeshm's east coast that are linked to the main island by a narrow strip of land at low tide.
Read the guideVillages and culture
Laft
Laft is one of Qeshm's oldest and best-preserved towns: courtyard houses, a forest of windcatchers and boatyards by the sea.
Read the guideGeopark
How to visit the attractions of Qeshm
The attractions are spread over different parts of the island and some are far from each other. Pick one or two nearby areas per day and leave the rest for another day. Without a car or a tour, moving between sights takes a lot of time.
Early morning or late afternoon suits canyons and caves best, and for the Hara forest and beaches you should plan around the tide. Bring comfortable shoes, enough water and a hat, take your rubbish with you and respect the environmental and geopark rules.
Frequently asked questions about Qeshm attractions
What are the main attractions of Qeshm?
Among the best known are Stars Valley, the Hara forest, Namakdan salt cave, Chahkooh canyon, Hengam Island, the Naz islands, Laft village, the Kharbas caves and the Portuguese castle. The full list is on this page.
How many days do I need to see the attractions?
Seeing the main sights usually takes several days because distances are long. See the itinerary page for a day-by-day suggestion.
Can I visit without a tour?
Yes, most attractions can be reached by private or rented car. For some places, such as the nearby islands or boat rides in the Hara forest, arranging a boatman or a tour is simpler.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on the place; each attraction page has a best-time section. For an overview, see the best time to visit Qeshm page.
Is entry to the attractions free?
It differs from place to place and may change over time. My Qeshm does not state prices; ask about conditions and costs when arranging a tour or with the people in charge on site.