Essentials
- City
- Kashan, Isfahan Province, Iran
- Population
- 310,000
- Internet Speed
- 15-25 Mbps (Fiber available at some hotels). Use a high-quality VPN (ExpressVPN, V2Ray) for access.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 600,000 IRR (Open Market Rate March 2026). Cash is king; foreign cards are not accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable but high mineral content; bottled water (Damavand, 1.5L for 100,000 IRR) is recommended.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlug
- SIM Card
- Irancell or Hamrah-e Aval. Tourist SIM at Fazel Naraqi St shops (~1,500,000 IRR for 10GB).
- Banking for Expats
- Mah Card or Daric Pay (Prepaid Iranian Debit Cards for tourists).
- Accommodation
- Traditional Houses (Saraye Ameriha) or guesthouses via local platforms like Alibaba.ir or SnappTrip.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, but only via local Iranian debit cards; cash needed for small vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Kashan Traditional House rentals via Homsa.ir or Jajiga.com (~$15-$40/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Sana Historical Hostel (Fazel Naraqi St) – Approx. $10/night for a dorm.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Historical District (Alavi Street) near the traditional houses and Bazaar.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Around Fin Garden (Amir Kabir St) for a quieter, greener environment with modern cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Kashan Science and Technology Park (Noor Blvd) – Basic desks available for residents.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Roozegar (Historical district) or Cafe Shazdeh; both have reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Tech meetings at University of Kashan; Couchsurfing meetups at Manouchehri House.
- Social Events for Expats
- Informal gatherings at Saraye Ameriha courtyard or English language exchange groups in local cafes.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Snapp (The Iranian Uber/Bolt). Very cheap, city rides ~200,000-400,000 IRR.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; available through boutique hotels like Negin Traditional Hotel (approx. $5/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (Desert City). Maranjab Salt Lake is the closest large body of water (80km).
- Top Regional Airline
- Iran Air or Mahan Air (Via Tehran/Isfahan airports).
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways (Connecting via Tehran IKA).
- Highway Access
- Route 7 (Tehran-Isfahan Expressway) provides direct access to Kashan.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Kashan Railway Station (Molla Sadra Blvd) for trains to Tehran, Isfahan, and Yazd.
- Public Transport Passes
- Contactless 'Kashan Card' available at main bus terminals for local buses.
- Regional Travel
- VIP Buses from Kashan Terminal to Isfahan (2 hrs, ~500,000 IRR).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Beheshti Hospital (Shahid Beheshti Blvd) – Modern emergency services.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Kashan Yoga House (Motahari St) – Range of classes for $5/session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygene Gym (Amir Kabir St) – Modern equipment and daily passes (~400,000 IRR).
- Laundry Services
- Clean Wash (Fazel Naraqi St) – Approx. $2 per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SnappFood – Wide selection of local restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Goosht-Loobia (Meat and Beans stew) at Abbasi House Restaurant.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Morshed House Restaurant offers great Kashke Bademjan (omit whey for vegan).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Kashan Baklava and Halva Pashmaki from Shirini-saraye Nabat (Bazaar).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Kashan Bazaar (Historical section) for spices and rosewater.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Digikala (The Amazon of Iran).
- Grocery Delivery
- Snapp Express or Okala for 30-minute delivery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No alcohol/bars (Illegal). Evening social life centers around Alavi Street tea houses.
- Local Brewery
- None (Non-alcoholic malt beers like Delster available in supermarkets).
- Wine Bars
- None. Try traditional Sharbat (herbal drinks) at Hamam-e Khan.
- Street Food Stalls
- Falafel and Sambuseh stalls on Mohtasham Street.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Italian food at Pizza Pizza on Amir Kabir St.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage), Tabatabaei House, Borujerdi House.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kashan Puppet Museum (Historical District).
- Historical Sites
- Sialk Hills (7,000-year-old Ziggurat).
- Religious Sites
- Agha Bozorg Mosque (Famed for its symmetrical design).
- Annual Events
- Rosewater Festival (Golab-giri) – May/June yearly.
- Cultural Districts
- Sultan Amir Ahmad district (Bazaar and Bathhouse area).
- Theater Venues
- Kashan Cultural Center (Mohtasham St).
- Local Markets
- Grand Bazaar of Kashan – Famous for its Timcheh Amin od-Dowleh dome.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Persian music nights at Manouchehri House.
- Street Art
- Murals on Baba Afzal St depicting local history.
- Cooking Classes
- Kashan Cooking Class (Near Agha Bozorg Mosque) – Learn Goosht-Loobia.
- Art Galleries
- Morteza Sharifi Gallery in the Bazaar area.
- Historic Buildings
- Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse (Visit the roof for great views).
- Local Heritage
- Hand-woven Kashan Carpets and Rosewater production.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Maranjab Desert (Dunes, Camel riding, Caravanserai).
- National Parks Nearby
- Kavir National Park (Accessible via 4WD tours).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking the historical Alavi street circuit.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The roof of Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse at sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Eko-Camp Matinabad (60km away) for desert bird species.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Maranjab Desert campsites (with guided tour permission).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Iran Post (Central office on Shahid Beheshti St); Tipax for fast domestic courier.
- Tech Repair Services
- Mobile phone and laptop repair shops on Rajaei St.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Kashan Sports Complex (near Fin).
- Language Classes
- Local Farsi tutors found through 'Kashan University' bulletin boards.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Molla Sadra Public Library (Bahonar St).
- Community Centers
- Kashan Municipality Cultural Organization spaces.
- Gaming Lounges
- Game Nets on Mohtasham St (mostly PS5/PC gaming).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Illegal).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $18,000) - Note: Foreign property ownership is restricted.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $12,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $420 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $25,200).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $280 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $16,800).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $32,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $250 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $20,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; varies for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; territorial for non-residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 9% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on property value assessment.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax approx. 5% of the regional value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None specifically; the main 'benefit' is the low cost of living due to currency devaluation.