Photo Tour: 10 Must-Buy Gifts From Shiraz’s Markets

Is there a city more beautiful than Shiraz? With its pleasant gardens, tall cypress trees, and rose bushes, Shiraz is one of Iran’s crown jewels. If you want a trip that blends history, the city of sweet-spoken poets, and lush gardens, make sure Shiraz is on your list.

If you’re traveling by tour, Shiraz is an excellent option — the tour handles logistics and helps manage costs. After planning the trip, it’s good to think about buying souvenirs. Below we introduce Shiraz souvenirs after dividing them into sweets, distillates, and handicrafts.

If you enjoy souvenirs and want to learn about other Iranian cities’ specialties, see our article on souvenirs of Iranian cities.

Confectionery — Shiraz souvenirs

A large portion of Shiraz’s souvenirs are its various delicious sweets. This is true for many Iranian cities, but let’s look at which sweet varieties are typical souvenirs of Shiraz.

1—Muscat of Shiraz

Muscat is a well-known and delicious sweet made in many cities across the country. It is prepared with starch, sugar, and saffron. The Shirazi varieties differ by the flavoring or toppings used: some are topped with mixed nuts, which makes them especially tasty; others are dusted with Persian hogweed (golpar), and some include almonds or pistachios on top.

2—Yookhe (Yo-khe)

Another Shirazi sweet is yookhe. Yookhe is made from very thin dough. Several layers of this dough are wrapped together and then sprinkled with powdered sugar, cinnamon, or pistachio powder.

3—Shirazi Koloocheh (Rice bread)

When you hear “koloocheh” you might expect a pastry like northern Iran’s cookies — but Shirazi koloocheh is a kind of rice bread. Note that Shirazi rice bread differs from the rice bread made in Kermanshah.

4—Caramelized almonds (Badam Sookhteh)

Caramelized almonds are also a type of Shiraz sweet. To make them, almonds are boiled with water and sugar. The process continues until the water evaporates and the sugar crystallizes. In some cases sesame is sprinkled on the almonds to enhance flavor.

Faludeh of Shiraz

Faludeh Shirazi is another delicious local treat. Although you cannot take faludeh home as a souvenir, you must try it while in the city. Good faludeh can be found behind Karim Khan Citadel.

Shirazi Halva

Shirazi halva is like faludeh in that it is hard to carry as a souvenir, but you can certainly enjoy it on the spot. Order Shirazi halva in restaurants — especially after sampling the city’s famous kalleh-polo (rice) dish.

Shiraz souvenirs — Distillates (Araghiyat)

Shiraz is the city of flowers. With so many fragrant blooms, it’s natural that aromatic distillates and rosewater production thrive here. One place noted for excellent distillates is the Zandieh Hotel Mashhad.

Orange blossom distillate (Narenj blossom water)

If you visit Shiraz in late April or early May you’ll be intoxicated by the scent of orange blossoms. Distilling those flowers produces orange blossom water — a wonderful souvenir for friends and family. Each time they sip a drink flavored with orange-blossom syrup, they may think of you.

Nastran distillate (Nastaran)

Another famous distillate in Shiraz is nastaran water, made from a white, beautiful flower of the same name.

Bīdmeshk distillate (Willow-herb)

Bīdmeshk is an aromatic plant sometimes used as a decorative element, especially on Haft-sin tables. Shiraz has an abundance of bīdmeshk and produces a fragrant distillate from it.

Rosewater (Golab)

Rosewater is a souvenir of both Shiraz and Kashan. The abundance of damask roses in both cities has led to significant rosewater production. Rosewater isn’t only used for refreshing drinks — it plays an important role in Iranian cooking. Dishes such as sholeh-zard, rice pudding, and halva often include a splash of rosewater.

Concentrated lemon juice (Aab Limoo)

Nearby towns around Shiraz, such as Jahrom, have favorable climates for lemon cultivation. As a result, Shiraz is a place to find high-quality concentrated lemon juice — and faludeh Shirazi is especially delicious with a squeeze of lemon.

Handicrafts — Shiraz souvenirs

As in other cities, talented artisans live in Shiraz and their works form part of the city’s souvenirs. Below are some of the notable crafts you’ll find.

Qalamzani (Engraving)

Qalamzani is one of Iran’s most fascinating traditional crafts. In this art, metals like gold, silver, and copper are engraved. Qalamzani pieces such as vases and sugar bowls are sold in the markets.

Woodcarving (Monabat-kari)

Woodcarving is another of Shiraz’s handicrafts. It involves carving and detailed handwork on wood. Woodcarved panels and frames make beautiful, precious souvenirs.

Khatam-kari (Inlaid marquetry)

Khatam-kari is also among Shiraz’s recognized handicrafts. In this technique, tiny, colored wood pieces are arranged with exceptional precision. You’ll find small and large khatam boxes and pen cases in Shiraz’s bazaars.

Travel and collect a keepsake from Shiraz souvenirs

When you travel around Iran — including Shiraz — besides enjoying the city’s sights, buying souvenirs gives you a memento of the place. It also supports the local economy.

At-a-glance

Ingredients table

Practical Tips

(If unsure about preserving or transporting certain food items, consult local sellers or a qualified professional.)