Nestled at the confluence of the dusty ridges of the central Kavir-e-Lut desert and the rolling grasslands of Haftad Gholleh to the west, the historic city of Kashan sits neatly halfway between the nation’s capital at Tehran and the sprawling metropolis of Isfahan to the south. It’s long been revered for its wealth of historical sites and gorgeous arabesque palaces, many lingering in the wake of the city’s 14th century pottery and crafts boom, while today it’s also edging its way much closer to the forefront of the Iranian tourist circuit, touting recent archaeological finds dating back more than seven millennia.
Don’t leave without ticking off the main sights of the town, from the iconic domes of the Agha Bozorg Mosque, to the opulent rooms of the Borujerdis House, beautiful the Bagh-e-fin and the pre-historic rises of the Tepe Sialk—where the remains of ancient assassins and some of Iran’s oldest known settlements alike can be spied out between the digs.
More importantly, don’t miss the truly charming adobe bazaar, where your Kashan touri guide will show you the lively wealth of craft shops, rosewater sellers and pottery merchants that call this centre home, along with some sweeping views of the minaret-peppered cityscape from above.