The front gate of Arg-e Rayen

Rayen is a city in Kerman (province). Rayen is everything Bam used to be before the earthquake. Rayen has a historic Arg (fortress) built entirely of sun-dried mud bricks. Its historic city has countless mudbrick houses, some of them decaying, but it is this decaying charm that makes the city even more attractive. Feel like an explorer. Be welcomed like a king. See a city whose beauty is overpowering. Meet people, who enjoy every visitor.

Get in

Bus

Traveling by bus is the easiest way for getting in this city.

Car

The way from Kerman to Rayen is open for buses and cars.

Train

Some distance from the city, there's a railway station if you are coming for Bam or Zahedan.

• 1 Rayen railway station. (updated Nov 2019)

Get around

Everything is in walking distance.

Fortress inside Arg-e Rayen

See

• The Arg, the beautifully restored historic fortress. Open 08:00-13:00.
• Old houses around town feel like an explorer finding the old mudbrick houses
• Desert landscape climb one of the hills and see how ingenious this oasis was built in the desert

Do

See the citadel, but be cautious not to damage the mud brick construction.

Buy

Inside the 'arg' is a small workshop where a craftsman manufactures for sale tools and knives made from wood and steel.

Eat

There are small supermarkets between the main square and the 'arg'.

Restaurants are around city in main streets.

Drink

Non alcoholic malt beverages and all other standard drinks are available in the town.

Sleep

• Rayen Arg Tourist Hotel, turn right at the roundabout right when getting into town and a couple of hundred meters further, you will see the ultra-friendly Rayen Arg Tourist Hotel. Prices are negotiable.

Go next

Buses only leave in the direction of Kerman, but you can hitchhike to Bam. Shared taxis are available at the main square and will leave when full. There is a military/police checkpoint between Rayen and Kerman, and there may be 'sniffer dogs' looking for drugs.