Dehnamak Caravanserai

Iran


An historic yet fair-value place to break the Tehran–Semnam journey, this sizeable Safavid-era caravanserai was built in 1570 but has been thoroughly restored around fountain pools with a semi-traditional restaurant tucked into the brick arches in one corner. The menu includes excellent Gilani specialities like mirza ghasemi. They also have very simple guest rooms (mats on floors, shared toilet block; IR600,000). No English.

The site is 300m off the Imam Reza Expressway, 74km west of Semnan (from which Garmsar-bound savaris cost IR120,000). A taxi dar bast costs IR450,000. Dehnamak is just one of several fascinating Silk Route villages along the Semnan–Tehran route.


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