Abyaneh
The 1,500-year-old village of Abyaneh is characterized by the reddish hues of the adobe houses. It's permanent residents have dwindled to a population of only a few hundred. There are many interesting facts about Abyaneh village. First the natives speak a language akin to Middle Persian which was spoken during the heydays of the fort, at the time of Sassanid Empire. Another fascinating aspect of Abyaneh is that the locals still wear the clothes of their ancestors, especially women whose long white scarves and colorful skirts have as wide a reputation as the village itself. People make a living mostly by selling dried apples, mint, chamomile, and other herbs harvested nearby to tourists. The cooler climate and picturesque landscape attract plenty of visitors, so a visit during the off-season is ideal to fully appreciate this charming little village.
Kandovan
Kandovan is a village in northwest of Iran steeped in natural history. It is carved in the heart of the rocks formed from the lava erupted from the now inactive volcanoes. The cone-shaped homes have been carved inside volcanic rocks from the eruption of the now dormant Mount Sahand. Accounts of the village’s age range from as recent as the 13th century to as old as 3,000 years. Here are only a few rocky villages in the world and all of them except for Kandovan village are deserted and are used solely for touristic purposes. A good reason to check out the handicrafts, herbs, and spices in the stores is to catch a glimpse inside the homes of these modern day cave dwellers, or you can get the full experience at the local hotel.
Filband
Filband in Mazandaran looks like it has been taken right out of a fairytale. Located seemingly above the clouds, this village is known for it's breathtaking sunsets in which the sun sinks into the puffy clouds. The Filband village is also called the rooftop of mazandaran; due to it's high altitude from sea level. Filband has extremely cold winters. Alpine meadows peppered with grazing sheep, free-roaming hens and chickens, and cottages dotting the landscape make this one of the most peaceful places to escape the troubles of real life. The best time to visit is the summer, when you can escape the heat in other parts of Iran and get some cool air in the high altitude. In Filband, inn has been built in where tourists can rest in the spring and summer. Most of the houses in the villages are covered by thick woods and colorful tiles.
Meymand
Meymand is another ancient Troglodytic village near Shahre Babak in Kerman, added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Villagers live in a few hundred hand-dug rock homes, believed to have been inhabited as far back as 3,000 years ago, though stone engravings date back to 10,000 years have also been found around the village. Living conditions in Meymand are harsh due to the aridity of the land and due to high temperatures in summers and very cold winters. The semi-nomadic villagers migrate with their animals as the seasons change. The community’s culture and practices reflect it's strong bond with the natural environment. Meymand is certainly one of Iran’s oldest and most intriguing places.
Masouleh
Nestled among trees on a mountain, Masouleh is best known for it's unique architecture. The interconnected buildings are built into the mountains in such a way that the roof of one house serves as the courtyard of the home above it; therefore, both courtyards and roofs serve as pedestrian areas. Yellow clay coats the exterior of most buildings in Masouleh. This allows for better visibility in the fog. Buildings are mostly 2 stories (1st floor and below floor) made of adobe, rods and bole. Due to this layout, motor vehicles are strictly prohibited (and near impossible), which is quite a relief and a nice break from the rest of Iran. Moreover it enjoys a moderate climate. Local architecture, springs, waterfalls, the 'Rood Khan' River and dense forests all make it an attractive tourism spot.
Palangan
Architecturally speaking, Palangan (in Kurdistan Province) is similar to Masouleh, but the Kurdish culture adds a unique element. This village is a stair-stepped village where the yard of one house serves as the roof of another. Aside it's unique architecture, warm people and green gardens, a standout feature of the village is the material used in the buildings: Stone. The fort is situated in a valley called Tangivar in which we can see an ancient stone inscription dating back to 700 B.C. This near-vertical village has houses built in a steep gorge, making it especially romantic at night when the mountainside glows with lights. Just relax in the shade of a tree and listen to the soothing sounds of the babbling river and the bells of the sheep as they cross the narrow stone bridge.
