From Petals to Plains: Iran's Most Flower-Rich Areas
What makes Mahallat similar to the Netherlands?
Mahallat is often called the ‘Netherlands of Iran’ due to its extensive and vibrant flower cultivation, particularly tulips. The region’s climate and fertile soil make it an ideal location for flower farming, resembling the tulip fields that the Netherlands is famous for.
What types of flowers are prominent in Shahroud?
In Shahroud, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sights of poppy and sunflower fields that stretch across the landscape. The best time to visit is during the late spring and early summer when these flowers are in full bloom, creating a stunning sea of red and yellow.
What is special about Aligudarz’s inverted tulips?
Aligudarz is unique for its natural growth of inverted tulips, which are rare and known for blooming downwards. These tulips are typically in bloom in early spring, offering a unique spectacle that draws nature enthusiasts and photographers.
When should I visit Laizangan to see the Rose Damascena plains?
The best time to visit Laizangan for the Rose Damascena harvest is from late May to early June. During this period, the fields are awash with the fragrant blooms, and visitors can also observe the traditional process of rose water distillation.
Are there any flower festivals in Iran’s floral regions?
Yes, several regions host flower festivals, especially during the peak blooming seasons. For example, the Rose Water Festival in Kashan and Mahallat during the rose harvesting season is a popular event where visitors can experience local traditions and enjoy the fresh rose products.
What essentials should I pack for a trip to Iran’s flower-rich areas?
Bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring the fields, a hat and sunscreen for protection against the sun, a camera to capture the stunning scenery, and perhaps allergy medication if you are sensitive to pollen.
Can I visit these flower regions on a day trip from major Iranian cities?
Some flower-filled regions like Mahallat and Shahroud can be visited on a day trip from major cities such as Tehran, depending on your starting point. However, regions like Aligudarz might require an overnight stay due to their distance from major urban centers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Exploring Iran’s Flower-Filled Regions
What you will read in this article:
1- Mahallat: The Netherlands of Iran
Our first destination is Mahallat, a city in the Central Province. It is full of flowers, mainly yellow corn and wild poppies, known as the “Netherlands of Iran.” But Mahallat’s fame doesn’t end there. Its remoteness from the city, numerous gardens, and expertise in cultivating ornamental flowers have earned it the nickname “Mythical Paradise.” More than 22 million flower stems are shipped from Mahallat to other cities yearly, and 150 million stems are exported. Flowers like poppy, marigold, lily, tulip, and rose to beautify our surroundings. If you visit Mahallat to see the flower plains, we recommend visiting its hot spring. The best time to visit Mahallat is during spring and summer.
How to get there: Mahallat is located 270 kilometers southeast of Tehran in the Central Province. To get there, you can take the Delijan-Mahallat road or the main Qom-Isfahan highway (via Dodehak-Khurheh).
2- Shahroud: Witnessing Poppies and Sunflowers
Our next stop is Shahroud, a city 183 kilometers from Semnan. The plains around Shahroud are covered in flowers twice a year. Once from mid-May to the end of June, in the Kalpush region of Shahroud, you can see wild poppies, and then again in September, where you can enjoy sunflowers.
How to get there: Head 220 kilometers north to Shahroud in Semnan Province. The Kalpush Plain is located 140 kilometers northeast of Miami; after traveling 60 kilometers on the Shahroud-Mashhad route and reaching the town of Miami, head north.
3- Aligudarz; The Beauty of Inverted Tulips
Lorestan’s nature is more generous than ever in spring. The fields are green, springs and waterfalls are complete, and farms are flower-rich. One of the areas that attracts many visitors from mid-April to the end of June for its inverted tulip fields is the Aligudarz plains in Lorestan. The Dalani area in Iran is known for its inverted tulip fields, a secluded spot in the Oshtorankuh mountains away from the city’s hustle and bustle, whose beauty is captivating.
How to get there: Aligudarz is 149 kilometers from Khorramabad. To reach Dalani, you leave Aligudarz and follow the route, passing through the villages of Joshan, Zazm, Baram, Khanabad, and Cheshmeh Por.
4- Laizangan; The Endless Rose Damascena Plains
The village of Laizangan is located 75 kilometers from Darab in Fars province. A town famous for its Damask rose in Iran and the world. So much so that as far as the eye can see, you see Damask roses. How much? Five thousand hectares of rain-fed Damask roses and 500 hectares of irrigated ones. The volume of roses produced in this village has led them to send roses even to Qamsar and Niasar, significant producers of Damask roses in Iran, and rose water is made from them. In addition to the Damask-grown plains, Laizangan village also has several caves and springs, and it’s famous for its apricots, pomegranates, and grapes. The best season to visit and see the roses is in the summer.
Access Route: From Shiraz to Darab, it is 253 kilometers. After reaching Darab, head towards the Shiraz-Bandar Abbas highway. After passing the Naweygan area, a side road will take you to Laizangan.
5- Behbahan: Immersed in Narcissus Flowers
Located in the southeast of Khuzestan, Behbahan is known for its narcissus fields that are famous worldwide. In the past, the multitude of narcissus flowers in Behbahan was so vast that their uniform golden color was visible from a distance, and their scent reached every passerby. Among the varieties of narcissus, the “Shahla” narcissus is more prevalent in this region. When can you see the narcissus in Behbahan? Every year, from the second half of the year, the growth of narcissus begins and continues until the end of Bahman and sometimes the first half of Esfand.
Access Route: The distance from Behbahan to Ahvaz is 207 kilometers. After reaching Behbahan, enter Shahid Peiroz Street or the old Ahvaz road. Each of these paths leads to the Cement Road, and after that, the narcissus fields become visible.
6- Damash: Short Bloom Season of the Fritillaria Flower
In Iran, the Fritillaria flower is rare and unique, and its significance has led it to be registered as the first flower in national natural monuments. This flower can only be found in Azerbaijan and the village of Damash in Iran. When the blooming season of Fritillaria arrives, from early spring to early summer, a magnificent festival is held around Damash. The local people of the Ammarlu region participate in their traditional attire, and local bazaars are set up. To see the Fritillaria flower, one has to go to the protected area of this region, where this flower has bloomed over four hectares.
Access Route: Damash is located near Rudbar. Take the Qazvin to Loshan Road and enter the side road of Jireh. The road has many twists and turns but is not very long. After traveling approximately 42 kilometers, you reach Jireh, and from there, you are 40 kilometers away from the village of Damash.
7- Ramian: The Vast Canola Plains
One of the most beautiful flower-filled regions in Iran is Ramian. No matter how much we discuss its beauty, seeing it for yourself is better. Ramian is a land of clouds, forests, plains, springs, waterfalls, and wild horses. This city, located 78 kilometers from Gorgan, is famous for its canola flower plains. Canola is a yellow, oily flower many farmers widely cultivate due to its lack of cholesterol.
Access Route: Ramian is located east of Gorgan, and to reach it, you can take the Gorgan to Bojnord road.
