Kish Island

Iran

Kish Island is a beautiful island and tourist resort located on the north east of the Persian Gulf (Khalij-e Fars) about 17 km (10.2 miles) from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran. Kish is a free trade zone.

Kish Island Kish Island, often called the Pearl of the Persian Gulf has an area of 90 km² (36 sq. miles). It is known for being a beautiful resort in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, a unique coral island. Kish Island has relaxed laws in comparison to the rest of Iran. Like mainland Iran, the people of Kish are generally friendly and hospitable.

  • Kish Tourist Affairs Office: +98 764 4424423

Kish Dolphin & Crocodile Park A view of a Greek ship at sunset

  • Kish Dolphin & Crocodile Park. The Dolphin Park an ocean atrium, and offers dolphin and other sea mammal shows. The entrance fee is US$46.
  • The Green Tree Park. The park with the oldest trees on the island. Entry is free for all.
  • Mysteries of the World Zoo. A small zoo with exotic animals on display. The entrance fee is US$5.
  • Greek Ship. The historic and famous old ship resting on one of the shores of Kish Island. It has become a major tourist attraction. It is a beautiful scenic area, and you can bring food for a picnic and sit in a shaded area. Entry is free.
  • Giant Bird Sculpture. You can climb up inside of it.
  • Underground Town of Cariz. More than 2,500 years old, it has been converted into an underground town 16 metres below the surface, and with an area of more than 10,000 square miles. The entrance fee is US$5.
  • The Ancient Town of Harireh. Ruins of stone buildings in an area 3 by 1 kilometre. The structures were built of sandstone, with some plaster on the walls. Some were originally a number of storeys in height. Harireh town is estimated to be 800 years old, and is thought to have been destroyed by a powerful earthquake. Entry is free.
  • Marjon Beach Park. Entry is free.

Kish Dolphin & Crocodile Park. The Dolphin Park an ocean atrium, and offers dolphin and other sea mammal shows. The entrance fee is US$46.

The Green Tree Park. The park with the oldest trees on the island. Entry is free for all.

Mysteries of the World Zoo. A small zoo with exotic animals on display. The entrance fee is US$5.

Greek Ship. The historic and famous old ship resting on one of the shores of Kish Island. It has become a major tourist attraction. It is a beautiful scenic area, and you can bring food for a picnic and sit in a shaded area. Entry is free.

Giant Bird Sculpture. You can climb up inside of it.

Underground Town of Cariz. More than 2,500 years old, it has been converted into an underground town 16 metres below the surface, and with an area of more than 10,000 square miles. The entrance fee is US$5.

The Ancient Town of Harireh. Ruins of stone buildings in an area 3 by 1 kilometre. The structures were built of sandstone, with some plaster on the walls. Some were originally a number of storeys in height. Harireh town is estimated to be 800 years old, and is thought to have been destroyed by a powerful earthquake. Entry is free.

Marjon Beach Park. Entry is free.

Snorkeling on the beaches of Kish Island is said to be amongst the best in the world, while the scuba-diving offers an even more spectacular insight of life beneath the waters. A variety of other water sports are also available: jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, parasailing, reef walking, coral viewing, boating and water-skiing are some of the popular ways to enjoy yourself when visiting the Island. A variety of other water sports are also available. The Kish coastline is one of the least dangerous coasts in the world. Kish has gorgeous white sandy beaches for relaxing walks.

Women-only beaches are available for the female tourists to the Island. Women do not have access to most beaches, or to the prime snorkeling areas. There used to be an "international beach" where male and female foreign tourists could swim together, but it has been closed by the government.

Contrary to the above information regarding the Greek Ship, there is no restaurant on board what remains of the historic ship. Still, this is a beautiful island - and you could bring food with you and enjoy the site while sitting at a shaded table nearby.

Kish is a trade free zone, making it a good place for shopping and trading. The price of goods in Kish are notably cheaper than in mainland Iran. Many Iranians and tourists visit Kish to purchase duty free clothes, electronic goods, cosmetics, etc. There are a number of large shopping centres, most of them situated in the eastern part of the island. Due to the daytime heat, most shops are closed from 13:00 until around 17:30. Some stay open until late into the night. The shopping malls in Kish cater to every taste. However, be prepared to find numerous fake American and European brands such as Gucci, Prada, Diesel, The Gap and Starbucks. One exception is the 'Ikea' store, which imports genuine Ikea merchandise.

Paradise 1 International Mall.

Paradise 2 International Mall.

The Paniz International Mall.

Zaytoon International Mall.

Morvarid International Mall.

Venus International Mall.

Marjon International Mall.

Arab Bazaar.

Kish Trade Centre.

Kish Island offers a wide selection of restaurants which range from Persian to International cuisines. Some of the most well-known restaurants include:

  • Boof Fast Food Restaurant, Pardis II Mall, +98 764 4420554. Kish's answer to McDonald's.
  • Espadana Restaurant, +98 764 44220689.
  • Papa Restaurant, +98 764 4430130.
  • Hadee's. Pizzeria.
  • Kish KFC. Kish Fried Chicken.

Boof Fast Food Restaurant, Pardis II Mall, +98 764 4420554. Kish's answer to McDonald's.

Espadana Restaurant, +98 764 44220689.

Papa Restaurant, +98 764 4430130.

Hadee's. Pizzeria.

Kish KFC. Kish Fried Chicken.

  • Asal Kish Restaurant, +98 764 4424420.
  • Pars Khalij Buffet, +98 764 4430356.
  • Nahange Sefid. A variety of Iranian food (live music).

Asal Kish Restaurant, +98 764 4424420.

Pars Khalij Buffet, +98 764 4430356.

Nahange Sefid. A variety of Iranian food (live music).

  • Shandiz Safdari. Shishlik (lamb chop grilled) accompanied by Iranian Rice and Laban (Yoghurt) drink. expensive.
  • Kooh-e-Noor. The 5-star restaurant of Sadaf International Hotel. The restaurant has a "cave" theme. 'Kooh-e-Noor' is translated as "the mountain of light", and is also the name of one of the world's largest diamonds.
  • Pavion Restaurant, +98 764 4422614.
  • Nagshe Jahan Restaurant, +98 764 4420390.
  • Paayaab Restaurant, Olympic Boulevard Olympic Square, +98 764 4423638.

Shandiz Safdari. Shishlik (lamb chop grilled) accompanied by Iranian Rice and Laban (Yoghurt) drink. expensive.

Kooh-e-Noor. The 5-star restaurant of Sadaf International Hotel. The restaurant has a "cave" theme. 'Kooh-e-Noor' is translated as "the mountain of light", and is also the name of one of the world's largest diamonds.

Pavion Restaurant, +98 764 4422614.

Nagshe Jahan Restaurant, +98 764 4420390.

Paayaab Restaurant, Olympic Boulevard Olympic Square, +98 764 4423638.

Like mainland Iran, alcoholic beverages are not served on the Island. The tea is light, good in taste and is kept at every home, shop and other social places.

'Cafe Aquarium' (ground floor of Pardis II Shopping Mall.) This popular hangout serves "Starbucks" coffee, Italian style sandwiches, banana splits, and fresh fruit juice to a young, hip crowd.

  • Area code for Iran: 0098 (+98)
  • Area code for Kish: 0764
  • Kish mobile phone code: 0934

There are various internet cafés on Kish Island. Internet speed varies from café to café. A popular internet café is the Kish Cyber Café at Shayan Hotel, Tel: 4422771-5 (2623), ahlesaadat@postmark.net. One hour is around US$2.5.

Qeshm is another beautiful island, although not as tourist-friendly as Kish and is mostly visited by those interested in trade. Close to Kish, travel is by boat or plane.

Bushehr for somewhere cultural and beautiful in mainland Iran.