Benelar Caves

The Benelar (Bineh-Lar) Caves are located in the abandoned village of Benelar, 6 kilometres along the road from the city of Lahrud to the Shabil hot spring, on the edge of the Qarasu River valley in Meshgin Shahr County, Ardabil Province. This complex of historic caves is one of the lesser-known but valuable tourist attractions of northwestern Iran, and showcases the art and architecture of earlier generations in the heart of the Zagros mountains.

The Benelar Caves were built as interconnected units, and in some cases have two or three storeys. In the distant past they were used as human dwellings. Some of the caves were designed to shelter livestock, while others served as living quarters for people. These structures reflect the class divisions and the way of life of the people of that era.

To reach the Benelar Caves, head from the city of Lahrud towards the Shabil hot spring and, after about 6 kilometres, you will arrive at the village of Benelar. The access road is mostly unpaved, and an SUV is recommended for the trip. The best time to visit the caves is spring and early summer, when the weather is mild and the surrounding landscape is lush and beautiful. When visiting the area, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, such as not harming the environment and keeping the site clean.