Varzaneh
Discover Varzaneh
Varzaneh is an ancient Central Iranian desert town in Isfahan province still showing evidence of its 5,000-year-old civilization. It has a population of 14,000 sprawling over 23,000 km² at an altitude of 1477 m above sea level. Like most parts of central Iran, it has a quite dry desert climate where, in July, temperatures can reach 40°C. The temperature sometimes drops below zero in January and February after midnight.
What to Experience in Varzaneh
Taste of Varzaneh...
Apart from dining in the following restaurant, you can ask local organic food in hotel/hostel dining sections. Varzaneh district has a high reputation of tradition of organic (bio) food. Here is a short list of tastiest foods you may try in Varzaneh: Getting herbal teas, and drinking some in outdoor is really suggested. In old supermarkets, as they call it Baqali, you can always get some classic herbal teas, such as borage, valerian root, and saffron. Other routine beverages such as dough also can be found all around easily. Most hostels and hotels are very cheap. Many tourist come to stay for a week or more to enjoy sunlight and silence in desert, as it is in between two other major destinations, Isfahan and Yazd.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom Isfahan, travellers can go to the Jey terminal and take the Varzaneh buses or minibuses, paying 40,000 rials (Dec 2016) You do not need to make a reservation for ticket in advance. You may go directly to Jey Terminal and ask the Terminal staff where the bus (or minibus) is. Almost once per hour, 07:00-17:00, there is a bus going to Varzaneh. It takes 1 hr 45 min to reach there. Plenty of taxis are also available usually in front of Terminal to reach Varzaneh, average price is US$10-15 per car. From Tehran, you need to go to Jonub terminal, with buses leaving at 09:00 daily to Harand, a town about 20 km away from Varzaneh. For Harand-Varzaneh, you will be finding very cheap taxis. From Yazd, travellers can take the Yazd-Isfahan buses from Yazd terminal and ask the driver to stop in Na'in which costs 60,000 rials. Then from Na'in, it is 70 km to Varzaneh, for which you may take a taxi. In Varzaneh, there is a regular bus to Isfahan almost one every hour until 14:00....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Varzaneh carpets is famous regionally and worldwide. Having many silk parts, and the mixture of colors make the typical of Varzaneh carpet light and sometimes shiny. You can order them in hotels, guest houses in Varzaneh. As more than 60% of ladies in Varzaneh are still weaving carpet in their homes, you can ask any random local also to show you his/her carpet. The prices may vary from €100-2,000, depending on the size and quality. Also, there are several houses still weaving tablecloth. You can get many of them directly from local houses, or in guest houses, costing 10,000-400,000 rials for different sizes. In addition, buying herbal teas, such as borage, Iranian black tea, Shirazi chamomile, henna and local sweets can be found in herbal tea shops. Local alfalfa honey and also honey from holy plant of manna also can be found, as a few families are involved in beekeeping.
Where to Stay
Most hostels and hotels are very cheap. Many tourist come to stay for a week or more to enjoy sunlight and silence in desert, as it is in between two other major destinations, Isfahan and Yazd.
Money & Budget
Varzaneh carpets is famous regionally and worldwide. Having many silk parts, and the mixture of colors make the typical of Varzaneh carpet light and sometimes shiny. You can order them in hotels, guest houses in Varzaneh. As more than 60% of ladies in Varzaneh are still weaving carpet in their homes, you can ask any random local also to show you his/her carpet. The prices may vary from €100-2,000, depending on the size and quality. Also, there are several houses still weaving tablecloth. You can get many of them directly from local houses, or in guest houses, costing 10,000-400,000 rials for different sizes. In addition, buying herbal teas, such as borage, Iranian black tea, Shirazi chamomile, henna and local sweets can be found in herbal tea shops.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Varzaneh
Iranian Desert
a group of people standing in the middle of a desert
a truck is driving through the sand dunes
a group of sand dunes in the desert
VARZAHEH desert - ISFAHAN
Varzaneh Desert, Isfahan, Iran
a desert with sand dunes and a single plant
a group of sand dunes in the desert
Iranian Desert
a group of people standing in the middle of a desert
a truck is driving through the sand dunes
a group of sand dunes in the desert
VARZAHEH desert - ISFAHAN