Thinking about Iran, you may imagine it as a vast desert without any tree where…
How Camping in Iran Looks Like?
Camping in Iran, is it safe?
Are you a backpacker, travelling on budget who want to travel independently? Do you want to have a flexible travel plan to experience as much as possible in each region? Are you a nature lover and prefer not to stay in hotels or other accommodations? Camping in Iran is the easiest way to travel on your own and enjoy every inch of this beautiful country.
Before setting up your tent, let’s have a close look at general information you may need about camping in Iran. Except in some cities, there are no organized camping site so you may wonder how it is possible to camp in Iran. Actually there are no clear rule regarding camping in many regions and you can camp almost in every park or open public spaces in cities and everywhere you want out of towns. It is totally free.
You can see lots of local people staying in tents during Nowruz and summer vacations. However it is not allowed in some cities like Isfahan in which specific camping sites with basic facilities are prepared and you should pay (the price is not much, much cheaper than the price of staying in a hostel).
The parks usually have restrooms. You can also use mosques’ facilities which can be found almost in every city or on the road connecting main cities. However camping outside towns or in parks, there are no shower, so our suggestion is to use public bathes in main cities or stay in hostels every now and then.
It is not illegal to camp in most public spaces but you may be warned by police about camping in dangerous areas, like places near roads. Besides there are signs for places where it is not allowed to camp so there would be no problem finding the right place to camp in Iran. You may also find several people who want to get close to you during your trip. Their main reason is probably curiosity and kindness. Iranian people are kind and hospitable. You may encounter a lot of people who invite you to stay in their house for sure. If you don’t want to accept their invitation, make sure to refuse it at least three times. They will probably insist as they are making “taarof”, an unusual way of showing courtesy in Iranian culture.
Important notes:
- Consider the season you will travel in Iran. It is nearly impossible to camp in certain regions in some months, for example it is not a good idea to camp in Tabriz in winter which has freezing nights or in central deserts in Augusts which have hot days. May is a good time for almost all the regions and its pleasant weather makes camping a memorable experience.
- Be aware that you may lose cell phone connection in many places when you camp in nature. Be well prepared in advance for the time you spend in remote places.
- Don’t miss sleeping under the starry sky of deserts in Iran. This is a must-do experience in travelling to Iran (again mind weather).
- If you like being alone and privacy is important to you, stay away from crowded parks, Iranian people like to mingle specially with foreigners.
All in all, it is safe to camp in Iran but as in all other countries use common sense and avoid places where you find dangerous (e.g. near rivers) or be cautious about strangers in remote places.
