Cool Spots in Hot Summer

With spring in its final stretch and the hot summer just around the corner, some tourists visiting Iran may find it a bit difficult to cope with the heat.

Well, have no fear! Iran is blessed with such a diverse climate that you're guaranteed to find a destination whose weather is to your liking.

Without further ado, here's a short list of typically cool spots in an otherwise hot summer.

  Ardabil

From a world heritage site to the country's third highest peak, Ardabil Province in northwestern Iran boasts a variety of attractions to satisfy even the pickiest of travelers.

The provincial capital Ardabil is home to Sheikh Safi Khaneqah and Shrine Complex (a world heritage site) and Ardabil Anthropology Museum.

About 35 kilometers west of Ardabil lies Mount Sabalan, an inactive volcano in the Alborz mountain range. With an elevation of 4,811 meters, it is Iran's highest peak after Alamkouh (4,848 m) and Damavand (5,609 m). There's a beautiful crater lake atop the mountain, which is frozen for about half the year but not in the summer, so if you're an avid hiker, you should give Mt. Sabalan a shot.

What sets Iran's northwestern region apart from the provinces located in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea is that it's just as green but without the humidity, making it a top choice for those looking to escape the summer heat.

While in Ardabil, you could go on a road trip! You can drive east through Sareyn and Heyran before reaching Astara, all of which benefit from rolling green hills surrounded by mountains, perfect for the outdoorsy types.

 Gilan

I can already hear you saying, "But Gilan borders the Caspian Sea!" While that's technically true, Gilan has a number of cities that are located far enough from the coasts that make them ideal destinations in the summer.

Gilan in northern Iran is arguably the country's most verdant province, thanks to annual rainfall that trumps even the global average!

Hyrcanian forests as far as the eyes can see are scattered all across the province, so make sure you've got your camping equipment with you.

Bucolic towns that are barely larger than a village, such as Damash, Deylaman and Gisoum, beckon tourists who have had just about enough of city life and need a break from the daily grind.

If you're a history buff and don't mind a bit of trekking, make sure to visit Roudkhan Castle in the heart of the forests.

The food in Gilan is as green as its landscapes. An intriguing factoid about Gilaki dishes is that the same foods can taste different as you move from city to city.

Gilan neighbors Ardabil to the west, so if you're in Ardabil you might as well make the short trip to the green province.

  Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari

A common misconception about Iran is that because it's located in the Middle East, people think moving south toward the equator will take them into a furnace.

While southern Iran gets pretty hot in the summer, it still has regions that have managed to remain immune to the summer heat. Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province is one of those regions.

The mountainous province is commonly referred to as "the pinnacle of Iran" due to its location on the Iranian Plateau, which sets it pretty high above sea level compared to other southern provinces. That also explains its generally cool climate in a region known for its occasionally unbearable heat.

Large swathes of the province is covered in oak forests and green plains, one of which—the Laleha-ye Vajgoun (Fritillaria Plains) in Kouhrang—is among the most popular attractions in the south. Fritillaria is a genus of plants in the lily family that "nod", or point downward.

 Aside from forests and plains, the province is chock full of waterfalls and caves, making it one of Iran's top regions for ecotourism.

Located in one of the world's most arid regions, Iran is rarely believed by foreign tourists to have thick forests and towering, snow-filled mountains. However, as this list shows, there is far more to Iran than what you may hear on the news. So come and discover it for yourself!