From a 500,000 m² Mega-Mall to a 400-Year-Old Bazaar(Where Isfahan Actually Shops!)

Monday, August 25, 2025

From sprawling, museum-packed malls to fragrant flower alleys and a 400-year-old bazaar, Isfahan’s shopping scene blends modern convenience with timeless charm.

From a 500,000 m² Mega-Mall to a 400-Year-Old Bazaar(Where Isfahan Actually Shops!)

Isfahan — the “Half of the World” — ranks among Iran’s largest and most visited cities, drawing domestic and international tourists to its historic sites every year. Visiting Si-o-se-pol, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun and Khaju Bridge, sampling local dishes like beriani, mast-khoresh and polaki with local doogh, picking colorful souvenirs and chatting with locals in their distinctive dialect all create vivid, lasting memories. But for many travellers, no trip is complete without shopping — and this article introduces the most important shopping centres and bazaars in Isfahan.

Join Alibaba Magazine to the end of this guide to learn the city’s markets and get more out of your next visit.


Modern shopping centres of Isfahan

If you’re after stylish clothes or want a modern retail experience, Isfahan has several contemporary shopping centres worth visiting.

1- Isfahan City Center

Isfahan City Center sits outside the city on the Isfahan–Shiraz highway and is often described as the heart of the city’s retail life. It’s about a five-minute drive from Azadi Square (Shiraz Gate).

With roughly 500,000 square metres, Isfahan City Center is the largest commercial, recreational, cultural and tourist complex in Iran and is recognised as one of the world’s largest shopping centres; it even houses a museum.

You can find almost anything here: more than 750 diverse stores, cinemas, international conference halls, an amusement park, an art gallery, a museum and a food court with traditional, international and fast-food options.

Address: Isfahan–Shiraz Highway, Second Entrance to Sepahan Shahr.


2- Owsan (Osun) Commercial Complex

Owsan Commercial Complex is located on Chaharbagh Bala Boulevard and is a frequent destination for clothing, jewellery and accessories. The mall hosts over 130 shops from reputable domestic and international brands. If you want a centrally accessible mall where you can complete many purchases at once, Owsan is recommended.

Address: Isfahan, Chaharbagh Bala Boulevard, beside Park Complex and Saadatabad Palace.


3- Park Shopping Complex

Park Shopping Complex sits next to Owsan on the same Chaharbagh Bala boulevard. While you might not find everything you saw in Owsan, Park offers essentials at more affordable prices.

Park is a popular local hangout where people spend time in green spaces, restaurants and cafés. The centre covers about 1,500 square metres and contains over 400 shops.

Address: Isfahan, Chaharbagh Bala Boulevard, beside Owsan Commercial Complex.


4- Orkideh Commercial & Office Complex

Orkideh stands at the intersection of Hakim Nezami Street and Khaghani Street. Distinctive modern architecture and attractive lighting define this seven-storey complex: one floor of food court, two floors of offices and four floors of retail — in total more than 200 shops.

You can buy clothing, accessories, jewellery, perfumes, home décor and luxury decorative items here. The ground floor features Italian, Iranian and fast-food restaurants and cafés.

Address: Isfahan, intersection of Hakim Nezami Street and Khaghani Street.


5- Arg Azim Jahan-Nama Shopping Centre

Arg Azim Jahan-Nama lies at Darvazeh Dowlat Square, near Imam Hossein metro station. As one of Isfahan’s more upscale malls, it spans about 80,000 square metres.

The complex includes over 350 stores, a handicrafts centre, a cinema and galleries. Notably, the mall also contains a hotel with 150 rooms integrated into the complex.

Address: Isfahan, Darvazeh Dowlat Square.

6- Jolfa Shopping Centre

Jolfa Shopping Centre sits on Khaghani Street, Sheikh Tusi Street. Despite modest size, it offers good variety: clothing, accessories, jewellery, furniture, decorative items, fabrics and toys.

Note that items bought at Jolfa may be pricier but are generally high quality.

Address: Isfahan, Khaghani Street, Sheikh Tusi Street, Cheharsoughi Alley.


7- Martin Commercial Complex

Martin Commercial Complex is on the same lane as the historic Vank Church. It’s worth a stop after visiting the church.

You’ll find sportswear and formal clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and jewellery here. Locals associate Martin with brand clothing — a good spot for a range of reputable domestic and international labels.

Address: Isfahan, Hakim Nezami Crossroads, start of Nazar Sharqi Street, near Vank Church.

8- Kosar Shopping Centre

Kosar lies near Si-o-Se-Pol and the Zayandeh-Rud River, and close to Owsan and Park complexes. Kosar provides a pleasant evening shopping option.

The centre includes restaurants, cafés, a multi-storey parking facility and more than 450 shops selling clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery, accessories and electronics. Opening hours are daily from 09:30–13:00 and 16:30–22:30.

Address: Isfahan, Chaharbagh Bala Boulevard, Shahid Amini-Nejad (Seven West).

9- Azadi Commercial Complex

Azadi Commercial & Office Complex sits in Shahin-Shahr and offers a wide range of goods — clothing, bags, shoes, jewellery, home décor and electronics — at reasonable prices, making it a good choice for affordable shopping. Cafés and restaurants provide leisure time for visitors. Azadi is open daily from 09:00–22:00.
Address: Shahin-Shahr, between North Hafez Street and North Saadi Street.

10- Maryam Commercial Complex

Maryam Complex covers 11,000 square metres across six floors combining modern and traditional architecture. With more than 130 commercial and office units, it sells clothing, bags, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics, perfumes, mobile phones and leather goods.

Beyond the shops, Maryam offers lighting, a chic modern interior, an amusement area, a food court with cafés and restaurants, and multi-storey parking.

Address: Isfahan, Nazar Sharqi Street, corner of Nazar Miani Street, before Towhid Street.


Now let’s close the modern shopping chapter and turn to Isfahan’s historic quarters and charming traditional bazaars — a different delight altogether.

Traditional bazaars of Isfahan

If you prefer traditional markets, Isfahan’s historic bazaars deliver an especially atmospheric shopping experience.

1- The Grand Bazaar of Isfahan

The Grand Bazaar of Isfahan is among the largest and oldest bazaars in the Middle East, with origins stretching back more than 400 years. Built in the Safavid era and expanded under the Qajars, historians say the bazaar was once vast enough to shape the city’s urban fabric; today it runs roughly from Naqsh-e Jahan Square to the Grand Mosque.

The Grand Bazaar is the best place to buy Isfahan souvenirs — nearly all local foods, condiments and handicrafts are available here.

The bazaar has many entrances, but the most important is the Qeysarieh entrance north of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, easily found by its impressive monumental portal and old wooden door. As you approach, you’ll notice muqarnas, marquetry, painting and tilework. Inside the Qeysarieh you’ll find several mosques, bathhouses, a major school and rows such as the Khansari, Golshan and Fakhr stalls. The Grand Bazaar itself contains alleys of goldsmiths, coppersmiths, gunsmiths, cobblers, Arab merchants, hatmakers and confectioners.

Address: Isfahan, Naqsh-e Jahan Square.


2- Honar (Art) Bazaar of Isfahan

Honar Bazaar forms part of a Safavid-era waqf trio built in the same period. Constructed in 1083 (solar calendar), it was once called the Caravanserai of the Mother King and later became known as the Art Bazaar.

The Mother King Caravanserai — today’s Abbasi Hotel — together with Honar Bazaar and Shah Sultan Hoseyn School form this triplet. Honar Bazaar used to be Isfahan’s tallest market (the “Tall Bazaar”) because of its eight-metre-high ceiling. Built in the Safavid style in two storeys from brick and adobe, the bazaar was placed in the care of local artists in 1961 and restored in 1966. Today it is best known as Isfahan’s gold and silver market.

Address: Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street, beside Hasht Behesht Park.


Specialized markets in Isfahan

3- Flower & Plant Market (Hamedanian)

If you love plants, the Flower & Plant Market is worth a visit. Located on Jey Highway — Hamedanian Street — the market (also called the Hamedanian Flower Bazaar) is busiest in Esfand and Farvardin (late winter/early spring), but it’s beautiful year-round.

The Flower Market comprises five complexes and sections for cut flowers, bamboo and decorative leaves, novelty ornamental plants like bonsai and spider ferns, a ceramics hall, garden tools and pots, orchards and nursery plants, cacti, houseplants, floral design and terrarium services, nurseries, compost, pesticides, seeds, and even dry and artificial flowers. Facilities include toilet, prayer room and training halls. The market is open daily 08:00–12:00 and 14:00–21:00.

Address: Isfahan, Jey Highway, Hamedanian Street.


4- Mobile Phone Market

The Mobile Market is a modern seven-storey complex on Ferdowsi Street focused on phones, tablets and accessories. The ground floor hosts a permanent mobile exhibition where you can test new phones and get advice from specialists.

Floors 1–5 are shops for phones, tablets, accessories and SIM cards; the basement provides after-sales services.

Address: Isfahan, Ferdowsi Bridge, start of Ferdowsi Street.


5- Hakim Grand Carpet Bazaar

Hakim Grand Bazaar is one of Isfahan’s largest carpet markets near Naqsh-e Jahan Square on Sepah Street. It specialises in hand-woven carpets offered at reasonable prices. Even if you don’t plan to buy, visit for the priceless collection of finely woven Persian carpets assembled here.

Address: Isfahan, Sepah Street.


6- Persian Gulf Fish Market

The Persian Gulf Fish Market sits on Saffeh Street and is a paradise for seafood lovers. You can find all kinds of fresh seafood — shrimp and fish from the south and north, imported and farmed — sold fresh here.

If you fancy cooking seafood at home while in Isfahan, this market is the place to pick your catch.

Address: Isfahan, Saffeh Bazaar.


Other shopping centres in Isfahan

Below is a compact table listing additional malls and their addresses as provided in the original article.

Shopping centre

Address

Sepahan Bazaar

Isfahan, Enghelab Square, opposite Si-o-Se-Pol

Nozhan Commercial Complex

Isfahan, Towhid Crossroads, Nazar Miani Street

Jashnvareh Shopping Centre

Isfahan, Hakim Nezami Crossroads, start of Nazar Sharqi Street, Koocheh Khorshid

Negin Complex

Isfahan, Jolfa, Towhid Street, Nazar Miani Street, Boghos Khani (Nazar to Si-o-Se-Pol)

Mehrsan Shopping Centre

Isfahan, Bozorgmehr Street, corner of Mobarazan Gharbi Street

Kavian Commercial Complex

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Bala, before Azadi Square

Chaharbagh Complex

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street

Sepah Bazaar

Isfahan, Sepah Street

Ali Qapu Complex

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street, beside Ali Qapu Hotel

Sepahan Commercial Complex

Isfahan, Enghelab Square, start of Kamal Esmaeil Street

Enghelab Commercial Complex

Isfahan, Enghelab Square

Eftekhār Commercial Complex

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street, opposite Aramgah Street

Five-Storey Complex

Isfahan, Malekshahr, House of Isfahan, opposite Al-Mahmoud Mosque

Eiffel Passage

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street

Jafari Passage

Isfahan, Imam Ali Square

Takht-e Jamshid Passage

Isfahan, Chaharbagh Abbasi Street