Iran: A round trip in pictures

The city itself has an unmistakable charm with its traditional houses, mosques and bazaars. The surroundings of Kashan also have a lot to offer. Especially the salt lake and the huge dunes in the nearby Maranjab Desert are definitely worth a visit. Tip: Get up early to see the sunrise in Maranjab.

Art is omnipresent in Iran. The Iranians' love of detail cannot be denied, such as the inner wall of the dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan. But even outside the religious buildings you can find colors, patterns, murals and street art everywhere.

The small village between Kashan and Isfahan has a population of circa 300. Nevertheless, almost everyone in Iran knows Abyaneh. The village with its red-brown mud houses has been able to preserve its very own culture and language for over 2,000 years and is therefore regarded by many Iranians as a reflection of their history. Abyaneh has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Proposal List since 2007.

This is probably how many people imagine the surface of the planet Mars looking like. Dasht-e Lut, also called Kalut, is a place without life. NASA measured the hottest ground temperature on earth here in 2005 at 70.7 °C (159.3° F). Anyone visiting eastern Iran really should visit the Lut Desert — even if it quickly gets too hot for some.

In an oasis between Iran's two largest deserts lies Yazd, one of the country's most beautiful cities. This former caravan intersection is famous for its ancient buildings, which are still preserved today. In the evening you can enjoy the view of the illuminated UNESCO World Heritage city from the roofs of the traditional tea houses.

Out of the towns and into nature: In the far northeast of Iran, away from the usual tourist routes, lies Golestan Province. An absolute must here is a visit to the tomb (picture) of Khaled Nabi, a forerunner of Mohammed. From here you have a breathtaking view of a sheer endless sea of hills stretching in all directions to the horizon.

If you ask Iranians what their favorite city is, many will answer "Shiraz". In fact, Shiraz has many other sights to offer besides the grave of the most famous Iranian poet Hafez. An absolute eye-catcher is the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque. In the morning hours the light falls through the colored windows and gives the prayer room a magical atmosphere.

North of Shiraz is where the ancient palace city Persepolis is located. It is a testimony of the former Persian Empire, which stretched from North Africa to India. In 330 BC the city was partially destroyed by Alexander the Great. The desert sand preserved its remains for over 2,000 years. Today Persepolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Countless gardens in Iran are not only beautiful to look at, they also serve as a retreat for many Iranians. Largely invisible to the strict eyes of police and parents, young unmarried couples can meet here and enjoy a little time together. One of the most beautiful gardens is the Shazdeh Mahan Garden meaning Prince's Garden (picture) near Kerman in Ostiran.

The incredible friendliness and helpfulness of the Iranians may seem strange to many Western visitors. Everywhere you are invited for dinner or tea, there is open and cordial talk and laughter, preferably with traditional Persian food — like here with our hosts and their friends in Mashhad.