Shiraz is a two-sided shopping city — fragrant, labyrinthine bazaars where carpets and sweets rule, and modern malls with cinemas, arcades and thousands of shops.
It’s true that Shiraz has countless sights and tourists rarely find time to see them all, but don’t let poetry and orange blossom festivals keep you from visiting Shiraz’s shopping centres. Alibaba will guide you through Shiraz’s markets.
Shiraz is one of those cities you can visit several times and still not have seen everything. Its historic houses, fragrant gardens and landmarks such as Hafezieh and Saadieh will keep you busy; a short trip flies by. But a trip without shopping and souvenirs feels incomplete — especially when Shiraz’s traditional gifts are so well known.
You may enjoy strolling old bazaars, or prefer modern shopping centres. We’ve compiled Shiraz shopping centres so you can plan and pick what suits your taste.
There’s no doubt you can buy a variety of delicious treats in this charming city. Perhaps Shiraz’s sweet-voiced poets once ate these very temptations and wrote their beautiful lines.
Muscat (masqati), Shirazi rice biscuits (koloocheh), yookhe, caramelized almonds and Shirazi halva are all sweeter and more tempting than the next. Eat them at a café or confectionery — or, if possible, take them home as souvenirs.
Then there are Shiraz distillates, led by orange-blossom water, but also bīdmeshk, nastaran and chicory are not to be overlooked. Add dried orange blossoms, concentrated lemon juice and spices to your shopping list before moving on to non-food items.
Many visitors love handicrafts: colourful gabbeh rugs, inlaid woodwork, qalamzani engraving, copperware, and hand-woven or machine-made carpets are delightfully absorbing to browse. Others use free time to shop for clothing, accessories or small trinkets. Now see the main Shiraz shopping centres and where to find them.
You can’t talk about Shiraz markets without opening with Vakil Bazaar. Shopping at Vakil is like nowhere else. This covered market sits in the heart of Shiraz; it was built in the Zand period at Karim Khan Zand’s order. Vakil Bazaar is part of the larger Vakil complex, which includes a bathhouse, mosque and water reservoir.
Unlike some historic markets that have lost vitality, Vakil remains busy and active. The covered market has striking architecture and stands on its stone columns for decades.
Various lanes are lined with shops selling mostly carpets and textiles. The vaulted brick domes of the lanes are impressive to behold. The central chaharsuq has a tall, beautiful ceiling that never tires the eye. Though the marble basin beneath the chaharsuq no longer exists, the bazaar still divides into four main markets. Beyond distillates and muscat sweets, you’ll find hand-woven and machine carpets and copperware here. While in the chaharsuq, visit the confectioners for Fasa rice biscuits, yookhe, muscat and koloocheh.
For carpets, kilims and gabbehs, head to the western lane and stop by the apothecaries. The handicraft stalls are hard to pass. Many shoppers are tempted by the colourful fabrics. If you follow the southern lane of Vakil Bazaar — the tailors’ lane — you’ll arrive at Saray-e Moshir.
Main entrance address: Zand Street, east side of Municipality Square
South of Vakil Bazaar you reach Saray-e Golshan, also known as Saray-e Moshir. Built in the Qajar period, some consider it part of Vakil Bazaar though it forms a distinct courtyard. The entrance to Saray-e Moshir is grand and beautiful; admire its tilework and historic inscriptions before stepping into the courtyard.
Inside a large octagonal eight-sided pool is a pleasant sight. Around the pool stands a two-storey square structure holding rows of shops. You can sit under an orange tree and enjoy the scene, then browse shops full of colourful handicrafts — khatam inlay, marquetry, carving, gabbehs and qalamzani. “Gallerie Gram” is one popular handicraft shop in Saray-e Moshir.
Address: South side of Vakil Bazaar
Turning to modern shopping centres, the Khalij-e Fars complex is first on the list. This enormous out-of-town complex is vast. Its architecture is inspired by the Achaemenid era — you notice this in the grand entrance columns — yet the complex feels thoroughly modern and large.
About 2,500 shops operate in the complex selling clothing, bags and shoes, home appliances, electronics, cosmetics and food. You’ll find well-known brands such as Koton, Zara and Defacto. Stores are not always clearly zoned, so finding a specific item might mean walking many aisles.
But this is more than a mall: it hosts a hypermarket, an amusement park, a multiplex cinema and a food court. After shopping you can catch a film and eat at a restaurant. Don’t miss the arcade, billiards and bowling either. Services such as banks, taxi stands, laundry, car wash and government service desks make the complex convenient.
The six-floor car park has 15 entrances and 10 exits, so remember where you park to avoid confusion on the return.
From Vakil Bazaar in the city centre to Khalij-e Fars is about 22 km — roughly a half-hour drive. Enter via Chamran Boulevard onto Dr. Hassabi Highway, exit at Golestan underpass and follow the signs to the mall entrance. Follow parking signage.
Address: Dr. Hassabi Highway, entrance to the new city of Sadra
A popular city mall among locals and tourists, Setareh Fars has nine floors — three levels of parking and four shopping floors. It fulfils most expectations of a modern mall. About 400 shops sell clothing, perfume, shoes, even gold. World-famous brands are scarce, but quality, reasonably priced goods are available. The restaurants and cafés are well regarded and include Chinese, Indian and Mexican options.
Address: Afif-Abad Street
Zeytoon is another modern mall option. Like other malls, it offers many colourful shops, restaurants, a 3D cinema and an amusement area. Many recommend Zeytoon for its wide selection and fair prices. You can find trinkets and jewellery, formal dresses, kitchenware, gold and mobile phones here.
Address: 15 Khordad Square (Paramount)
Aftab Fars, on Maaliabad Street, is recommended to tourists. It’s a pleasant mall for browsing and its surrounding juice bars and fast-food outlets attract visitors. Shops here sell clothing — from mantos to shirts and scarves — as well as cosmetics and accessories like watches and sunglasses.
Address: Maaliabad Boulevard
For clothing shopping and a casual day of browsing and eating, visit Negin Fars. The mall focuses on apparel and perfume but also offers gold and jewellery. Prices are above average, though the clothes are stylish and well made. There’s an amusement floor for kids and adults — bowling and billiards — and a food court for meals.
Address: Vahdat-e Maaliabad, Parastar Boulevard
Hamun is a solid choice for men’s and women’s clothing, cosmetics, accessories such as glasses and watches, and leather and art products. The complex includes fast food and an amusement area.
Address: Sattar Khan Boulevard, near Afif-Abad Street
One of the city’s older shopping centres, Sina remains popular. It’s a cosy, quieter mall with many shoe and clothing shops. The shopping areas are separated by a few staircases; to see everything you’ll need to explore its corners. Sina is calm and intimate, and prices tend to be relatively high.
Address: North Motahari Street (Zargari)
Opposite Setareh Fars you’ll find another shopping spot that complements your route. Hafez Shopping Center is not large but its quality stores make up for scale.
A compact mall on Zargari Street, Elahieh sells quality clothing that’s not especially cheap. It’s small, but spending an hour here is pleasant.
Address: South Motahari Street (Zargari)
The last centre in this list, Soltaniyeh is known for its luxury goods and higher-end shops. The quiet mall offers various clothing and accessories and finishes nicely with cafés to rest in after shopping.
Tip | Source text anchor |
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Vakil Bazaar remains lively — visit for carpets, confectionery and apothecaries; follow the southern tailors’ lane to reach Saray-e Moshir. | |
Khalij-e Fars mall is huge — expect ~2,500 stores plus cinema, hypermarket, amusement facilities and multi-level parking (remember where you parked). | |
For traditional handicrafts and an atmospheric courtyard, Saray-e Moshir is ideal — sit under the orange tree and browse khatam, qalamzani and gabbeh. | |
Zeytoon offers variety and mid-range prices — good for clothes, kitchenware and casual shopping with a 3D cinema and play area. | |
If you’re visiting as a tourist, try both the bazaars for local souvenirs and one modern mall for dining and entertainment. |
