Discover the Underrated Islands of Iran: Hormuz and Qeshm

Iran’s Islands of Hormuz and Qeshm lie in the Persian Gulf. They mark the southernmost point in Iran – accessible by boat from Iran’s coastal cities – and are arguably the country’s best-kept secrets. “The Islands are still very left-out destinations for most of the organised tours in Iran,” says photographer Giulia Frigieri, who travelled there with an Iranian friend and her camera. “Many Iranians would admit that the Islands look amazing on Instagram, too, but they have never visited.”

Hormuz is particularly fascinating in terms of its geology. It adopted the name Rainbow Island for the unusual colours of its sands and rock formations: silver, black, orange and red being the most notable. These colours are apparently the product of high percentages of mineral concentrations and layers of volcanic material on its surface; 70 types of minerals appear in the so-called Rainbow Mountains. Elsewhere, the salt mountain known as Hormuz’s Goddess of Salt draws visitors for the positive energy it is said to release.

Qeshm Island is best known for the giant craters in its Star Valley. Ancient tales, as told by locals, suggest the craters were made by fallen shooting stars. One of the most popular tourist activities in Qeshm is heading out to a tiny deserted island called Naz – by camel is by far the most stylish means to go about it. Hengam Island is also a popular destination for camping – its exotic fauna and warm crystal-clear seas are a lure for many Iranian families.

Surrounded by the sea, both Hormuz and Qeshm are designed for seafood lovers. Shark, calamari, octopus and fried shrimp are some of the dishes on the menu – seasoned, of course, with local spices. Meanwhile, in both destinations you will see local women wearing the burqa, as part of traditional Bandari dress. However, you might notice the colours and patterns differ on the island, with colourful designs and rectangular shapes being typical of Hormuz.

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