Iran City Guides – Kish Island
- Kish Island located in the Persian Gulf
- free trade, tax free zone
- visa free for a stay of 14 days
- more relaxed socially than the mainland
- third most visited resort in the area after Dubai and Sharm-el-Sheikh
- area of 90 square miles
Kish (Kish), a semi-tropical resort island, 19 km off the mainland in the Persian Gulf, is a popular escape from the cold winters for well-to-do Iranians but as yet is really catching on with foreign visitors.
Planned during the days of the last Shah as a getaway for prosperous Persians and international jet setters, Kish had a casino (now the Shayan International Hotel) and its airport was built large enough to receive Concorde.
After the 1979 Revolution, Kish became a duty free shopping area to encourage continued tourism. Foreign nationals do not require a visa to visit Kish for a stay of up to 14 days. Foreign visitors are fingerprinted and have their passports stamped at the airport.
The island maintains a more socially relaxed atmosphere than the mainland although alcohol is forbidden and women must wear the headscarf.
Kish Island Attractions
Kish’s mild climate makes the island’s fine beaches the main attraction. The beaches are segregated with the women’s beach (Ladies’ Beach) near the Kish Free Trade Organization Building.
The coral reefs off the coast of Kish make for excellent snorkeling and scuba diving and there are a number of places offering scuba equipment and tours. Parasailing, jet skiing and water skiing are other fun activities on the island’s beaches.
The flat nature of the island also makes it ideal for cycling and bicycles can be rented from a number of outlets.
Shopping and dining are the next most popular attractions after relaxing in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Kish is home to several shopping malls such as Padide Legend City which includes a five star hotel and an amusement park with the world’s largest anchor.
The Damoon shopping center has a popular food court on its roof for dining al fresco.
Kish has several amusement parks aimed at families with children. Kish Dolphin Park is perhaps the most well-known with a saltwater aquarium with species from the Persian Gulf, birds, reptiles and a dolphin show. The place has mixed reviews, though, both for the standard of the long, compulsory tour through the park and the welfare of the animals inside.
Ocean Water Park a fun water park with numerous water rides and slides for kids, makes for a better experience for parents with youngsters than Kish Dolphin Park.
Green Tree Park is a free park containing the oldest trees on the island.
Kish has a long history and was explored by Alexander the Great’s navy while its pearls were mentioned by Marco Polo in China. Of Kish’s historical sights, the most impressive is Kariz-e-Kish, which is over 2,500 years old. A vast underground qanat or aqueduct to move water, the system of tunnels resembles an underground city. The water was filtered three times using coral and clay with the best water used for drinking and the rest in agriculture.
There are some impressive ruins at the ancient city of Harireh, a settlement dating from the 8th century. One house has been restored and can be visited. There are ruins of ancient walls and a hammam, or bath.
A popular photo opportunity or selfie is the Greek Ship at sunset. The boat, which was originally built in Scotland, ran aground in 1966. She was abandoned by her Greek crew and set on fire. Only the hull now remains.
Kish Island Accommodation
Accommodation on Kish is generally in the high end range. Some places to choose from include the four star Lotus Hotel offers spacious, air-conditioned rooms with a free shuttle service to the airport and restaurant.
The Grand Hotel is also four stars and south of the Ladies’ Beach. Rooms have a terrace overlooking the garden.
The three star Kish Tamasha Hotel provides air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom. There is a free shuttle service to Kish International Airport.
Kish Island Access
There are regular daily flights to Kish International Airport from Tehran with Kish Airlines, Iran Air and Mahan Air. There are also flights to Esfahan, Mashhad, Bandar Abbas and Shiraz.
There are connections by ferry from Kish to Bandar-e Charak and during the busy Nowruz period by catamaran to Bandar-e Lengeh.
There are international flights to Dubai and Kish is a popular visa hop for foreign workers in the UAE.
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