Masouleh Village is a small Mountain Village in Iran located in the southwest of Gillan province, the best choice to travel to Iran! The most iconic feature of this city is the odd and amazing stair-shaped architecture of its houses.
Masouleh Village’s establishment dates back more than ten centuries. Due to the lack of any flat land close by, the village was established in a vertical formation upon the face of the mountain. This mountain village (recently transformed into a city) in Iran is the only vertical city in the country and probably worldwide.
Since then, numerous villages in the country have adopted this form and were established on the mountain ranges, such as Sanandaj’s Uramanat village and Urmia’s Zonuzaq village.
All of these features have helped the village to transform into one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the country. Masouleh hotels, cafes, and restaurants will welcome you upon arrival.
The best time to visit Masouleh village is spring, summer, and fall. Being surrounded by tall mountain ranges, the weather here during winter is cold, mostly below zero.
Travel to Masouleh Village
Airplane: the closest airport to Masouleh City is Rasht City International Airport which is 65 km away. There are daily flights available from there to Tehran city and Mashhad city. Other towns have less frequent breakouts.
Bus: you can only get yourself as far as Fuman City or Rasht City by bus. You must use public transport (shared taxis) or minibusses to get to Masouleh city.
There is no train station available close to Masouleh city.
Masouleh Hotels
It is one of the most beautiful Masouleh hotels with a classic Masouleh village design and a great view of the city and mountains.
Address: at the end of the second level of Masouleh Bazaar
Phone number: +98 911 132 1870
Mehran Hotel
Another classic option of Masouleh hotels is located close to the Museum of Anthropology.
Address: Close to the parking and Bazaar entrance
Phone number: +98 1334752096
Aria Hotel
This is a more luxurious Masouleh hotel than the last ones located outside the city, with parking spaces.
Address: 3 km outside of Masouleh city, on Fuman Road
Phone number: +981136535 5810
Getting around in a Mountain Village in Iran
Masouleh village recently was turned into a city, becoming the only vertical city in the country. No roads are available here, except for a ring road that goes around this Village/City to the top.
Yet being a small city, you can walk all over it in just a few minutes. The only problem might be your stamina because it’s all about steps, ascension, and descent.
Masouleh Village Tourism Attractions
Masouleh village is a thousand-year-old vertical village. The architecture of this mountain village in Iran is unique; every house is built on top of the other, making a stairway-like shape. The extraordinary and unbelievable sight of this village alone is enough to attract any traveler here.
Inside Masouleh village, The Old Bazaar, The Museum of Anthropology, and The classic restaurants and Cafes of the city can keep you busy for some time.
The structures of the houses are also a sight to see. Most of them have colorful windows and balconies facing the mountain peaks on the southern side of the village.
The natural sights around the village are countless, considering that High peaked mountains and jungles surround the city. Masouleh RudKhan Castle and Terishum are two of the closest waterfalls to the village, eventually reaching the town to form the Masouleh River and water source.
Many Hiking trails are available around this mountain village in Iran, going through dense and mist-covered forests. If you are looking for more challenging and untouched natural sights around the town, you can go to Shah Moalem Peak or Kurbar Trail. For both, you need to have high stamina and a local guide.
What to Eat in Masouleh Village?
As in every other city, several local Ash are available here; aside from those, Mirza Qasemi and Kebab Torsh are the other popular choices of Iranian cuisine in Masouleh village. Agradak (اگردک) is the most famous local Iranian dessert, and last, but not least, it is the local cheese which is you have to try in Masouleh.
Souvenirs of Masouleh Village
One of the most beautiful souvenirs here is the Handmade dolls. These colorful dolls are made of cotton strings, manifesting the kindness and beauty inside the old grandmothers of the village who make them.
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