Hormozgan is one of the southern provinces of the country, situated on the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Its picturesque coasts, natural and historical landmarks, and bustling shopping centers have always attracted tourists' attention to the region.
History
Historical documents indicate that the settlement of this region dates back to the Achaemenid era. This province has always been of great importance due to its access to the Persian Gulf. The name "Hormozgan" comes from the Strait of Hormuz. Due to the importance of this strait for the country, since 1976, the coastal province, ports, islands of the Persian Gulf, and the Sea of Oman have been renamed to Hormozgan.
Geography
Hormozgan borders Kerman to the north and northeast, Fars and Bushehr to the west and northwest, and is adjacent to Sistan and Baluchestan to the east. The Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman lies in its south.
The mountains of Hormozgan are extensions of the Zagros Mountain range, covering large parts of the province. The mountains descend into hills and then to low coastal lands.
The province is divided into several cities and islands. Its cities include Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Minab, Jask, Bastak, Hajjiabad, Rudan, Parsian, Khonj, Bashagard, and Sirik.
Qeshm, Kish, Hormuz, Hengam, Abu Musa, Lavan, Hendurabi, Shidvar or Sheitor, Larak, Tunb-e Kuchak, Tunb-e Bozorg, Siri, Lesser Farvar Island, and Greater Farvar are among the islands in Hormozgan.
Climate
Hormozgan is located in a warm and dry region, with a semi-desert and desert climate. It experiences hot and humid summers and its winters do not get colder than 10 degrees Celsius. Humidity is high on most days and can reach 100 percent.
The best time to travel to this province is during winter and the Nowruz holidays. Although due to the affordability of hotels in summer, tourists also visit Hormozgan during the hot season.
Cities of Hormozgan Province
Bandar Abbas
Bandar Abbas is the largest port in the country. A migrant-friendly port that, in addition to trade, has been popular for fishing and agriculture. The Shahid Rajaei Bazaar is the venue for the exchange of a large volume of commercial goods.
Most tourists visit Bandar Abbas in the second half of the year and during the Nowruz holidays, when it has moderate weather. The seafront is scenic in every season and hour. Bandar Abbas Vishnu Temple or Bot-e Gouran Museum, Persian Gulf Ethnography Museum, Water Museum, Wildlife Museum, Galedary Historical Public Bath, Kolah Farangi Mansion, Fin Castle, Geno Hot Spring located 30 kilometers after Bandar Abbas, and the historical Latidan Bridge 70 kilometer off Larestan Road are among the tourist attractions inside and around Bandar Abbas.
Kish Island
Kish is one of the most popular destinations for Iranian travelers. The average annual temperature on this oval-shaped island is about 26 degrees Celsius and it has pleasant weather in autumn and winter.
Tourists can visit the Kish Recreational Pier, Bird Park and Dolphin Park, Ocean Water Theme Park, Coral Beach, Greek Ship, Indigenous Kish People's House, Artists' Passage, Mirmohanna Beach Park, Simorgh Beach Park, City Park, Baghu Village, Recreational Boats, and Green Tree.
The underground city of Kariz, also known as the Qanat of Kish, has remained from 2500 years ago and, along with the historical city of Harireh, are the main the historical sights of Kish that should not be missed. There are many facilities for water sports in this island including diving, jet skiing, water skiing and surfing. There is also the possibility of cycling and paragliding on the island.
Qeshm Island
Known as Abarkawan (meaning from the land of Kaweh) in the Sassanid era, Qeshm has today 69 cities and villages. This island is the largest in the Persian Gulf with the longest coastline.
Harra Jungle is one of the most popular attractions in Qeshm. This forest area, which is part of the Qeshm Geopark, has evergreen trees that live in brackish water. During high tide, Hara trees go underwater and are only visible above the trees. With the tide going down, it's hard to believe that these trees were underwater just a few hours ago.
Chahkooh Valley, Stars Valley, Bam-e Qeshm, Portuguese Castle, Kharbas Cave, Tandisha Valley, Laft Village, and Gur'an Dam are among the important sights of this island that should not be missed on a trip to Qeshm.
Hormuz Island
For several years now, the name Hormuz has been on nature lovers’ and tourists’ lips of, but the history of this shell-shaped island is very long. Its lifespan in some geological sources is estimated to be up to 600 million years.
Hormuz is a pristine island full of colorful soils and three-wheel motorcycles used for passenger transport. Visitors can watch the sunrise and sunset by the island's coast or view the convergence of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman at the Strait of Hormuz from atop the cliffs. However, the main attraction of Hormuz lies in its colorful soils, which are visible everywhere. Tourists on Hormuz Island visit Portuguese Castle, Rainbow Cave and Valley, Red Beach, Mofannagh Beach, Tak Derakht Beach, or Sang-e Marjan Beach.
Hengam Island
Hengam Island is located south of Qeshm. The waters around Hengam Island are home to dolphins. Therefore, the main goal of most tourists who come to Hengam is to watch dolphins swimming. Diving, watching sea turtles, and visiting the Dolphin Park are among the attractions of Hengam Island.
Minab
Minab is said to have been built on the ruins of ancient Hormuz, which is why it is also called Old Hormuz. This city is located 105 kilometers away from Bandar Abbas and, like most cities in Hormozgan province, has hot and humid summers and mild winters. Bibi Minoo Castle, the Independence Dam Lake, the Hara Jungle, and the Minab beach are among its attractions.
Jask
The city of Jask is located alongside the coast of the Oman Sea, surrounded by water on three sides. The pristine and clean beaches of Jask attract tourists to this place every year.
There are other tourist attractions in Hormozgan province, including the Ethnography Museum in Bandar-e Kong, the seasonal waterfall of Bedo near the village of Lamazan, 50 kilometers from Bandar Abbas, Komiz Castle, 12 kilometers from Roudan city, Sabzpushan Spring, 25 kilometers from Hajjiabad, and the village of Hindorabi on Hindorabi Island.
Accommodations
Most luxury hotels in the province are built on Kish Island. There are various hotels with different prices in the main cities and also on Qeshm Island, among which eco-lodges are noticeable.
Staying in eco-lodges on Qeshm Island and its villages such as Koldavang, Badgiran, Fardis, Pesar-e Nakhoda, Khaloo Mansour, or eco-lodges like Lard Souza in Souza city, Yusofi House in Bandar-e Lengeh, Musa Ibrahim and Jaroon on Hormuz Island offers a close experience of local life.
Local Foods
Nothing is as popular and high-quality as seafood in coastal cities. Fresh fish and shrimp, along with aromatic spices and herbs, are a constant part of Hormozgan cuisine. Grilled fish, mixed fish, dried shark, shark powder, kingfish or Malook Seashell stew, Sprats or Hashineh stew, katoogh, and shrimp rice are among the seafood dishes prepared by the people of the region.
Additionally, Motabbak Polo (rice), Ziboon, Souragh stew, Balaleet, Horray, Singu or lobster, and Dishu rice are counted as local dishes of Hormozgan. Baking Tomoushi bread, Cham Chamo bread, Malouki sweets, Ranginak, and making mango pickles are common in Hormozgan.
Restaurants
There are plenty of good restaurants in Hormozgan province. Travelers visiting Bandar Abbas, Kish, and Qeshm try high-quality seafood.
In Bandar Abbas, restaurants like Badgiran, Daryoush, Fanous, Traditional Restaurant of Setare-ye Jonoub, Bandar, and Sib restaurants are popular among tourists.
Some of the famous restaurants in Kish include Foodland, Damoon Food Court, Darchin, Lotus, Kuh-e Noor, Fanous, Royal Star, Shandiz Abshar, Paris, and Mirmohanna.
In Qeshm Island, restaurants such as Si Rol, Jijian Traditional Kebab, Naeim, Lebanese Shawarma, Qaleh, Khaleh, Badiyeh, Haji Ghafour Restaurant, Khan Boom, Alvand, Kurdistan, King Burger, and Abshar Waterfall offer high-quality food.
In Hormuz Island, Khanjizadeh kitchen, Khaleh Fatemeh and Khaloo Shahriar dining rooms, Salidoun, Benjamin breakfast and dinner, and Gelak Cafe are famous. Sadaf Hotel restaurant in Minab and Pizza Kolbeh in Bandar Lengeh are other examples of good restaurants in Hormozgan.
Handicrafts
Sea-based products made with shells and snails, as well as products made of straw, pottery, Chanteh weaving, Golabtoon embroidery, Badeleh embroidery, Gargoor crafting (fish trapes), needlework, local clothing such as Kandoreh, Chador Shab weaving, and Kamedoozi are among the handicrafts made by locals.
Woodworking, carpet weaving, rug making, especially Khersak weaving, are also common in this province.
Souvenirs
Hormozgan's dates, especially the famous chocolate dates, are one of the finest dates in the world. Various types of fresh fish and shrimp, guava fruit, and citrus fruits are among the edible souvenirs of this province.
Paintings, jewelry, and sculptures from shells and snails made by locals are unique. Local clothing and fabrics adorned with various traditional stitches, straw products, carpets and rugs are also considered souvenirs of Hormozgan.
Customs and Traditions
People in each region have customs and traditions that are intertwined with their culture. The people of Hormozgan province have preserved their customs to some extent for weddings, celebrations, and mourning. The Nowruz celebration begins with the spring house-cleaning, buying new clothes, and setting up the Haft-Seen table. Giving money gifts and visiting each other are also part of it. Applying henna is common in this region, and people still apply henna and draw patterns for Nowruz on different parts of their bodies in villages.
Nowruz Khawni, Sizdah Bedar, the day of the dead's table, and visiting the cemetery are also common. In villages, they shave animals on the day before the New Year
Zanbil Gardani, sacrifice for rain, and the hunter’s New Year are other customs of Hormozgan province. Fishermen who have a good catch from the sea, will take a day off from fishing to show their gratitude to nature. This New Year's custom is called the hunter’s New Year.
