You have many options in shopping in Iran. There are various types of commodities with different qualities, offered in different types of shopping centers.
Iran is most famous for its handicrafts. Usually, any tourist will have a visit to the Iranian transitional markets. These markets (or bazaars) are also different; there are large bazaars in historical cities of Iran and small handicraft village markets in rural areas. However, if you seek modern bazaars and passages, there are several of them in each city that would not let you go empty handed and without souvenirs. The Iranian traditional bazaars provide you with carpets, rugs, Persian hand-woven carpets, silverware, handicrafts, and traditional costumes; and, you also have the opportunity to buy modern and up-to-date items.
1- Tehran bazar: The maze of bustling alleys and the bazaris that fill them make Tehran Bazar a fascinating, if somewhat daunting, place to explore. Traders have been hawking their wares on this site for nearly a thousand years, but most of what you see today is less than 200 years old; it’s no architectural jewel. The bazaris are a conservative bunch and there will be far more chadors than bleached hair. (Tehran, Iran)
2- Jomeh Bazar: A car park and adjoining shopping centre near the corner of Jomhuri-ye Eslami Ave and Ferdosi St is where hawkers from across Iran and Central Asia lay out their rugs to sell whatever they can on Friday mornings. It’s a lively, social scene that one reader compared with Portobello in London. The higher floors of the car park can hide the best bargains. (Tehran, Iran)
3- Moses Baba: A member of Tehran’s small Jewish community, talkative Moses Baba has been presiding over this wonderfully chaotic treasure trove of antiques and curiosities for 50 years. Expect lacquer work, coins, jewellery, enamels, porcelain and pottery (though some may be younger than what Moses might suggest). (Tehran, Iran)
4- Mr Motashami’s Shop: Located in a small room overlooking the courtyard in Khan-e Tabatabei, this small shop sells a range of locally produced manteaus, scarves, blouses and dresses in cotton and silk. It’s an excellent place for females to source locally appropriate clothing. (Kashan, Iran)
5- Bazaar-e Farsh: Bazaar-e Fash , is a multi-unit carpet market mostly aimed at bulk dealers so prices can be excellent. It even has an interesting top-floor repair workshop and remarkably there seems to be no sales pressure. (Mashhad, Iran)
6- Fish Market: Self-caterers should head for this fish market for fresh Gulf fish, filleted if you ask. Even if you don’t plan to cook, this is a fun place to wander round with a camera. (Fish Market)
7- Bazar-e Reza: Upstairs in the 800m-long Bazar-e Reza, jewellery stalls proffer turquoise (mined at nearby Neishabur) but their sales pitch is often more impressive than their gems. (Mashhad, Iran)
Visitors will also find that there are plenty of western-style shopping malls in Iran's capital and new ones are popping up every year. The main malls include the Kourosh Shopping Center and Milad e nour Shopping Center. Visitors will find international brand names as well as local stores. Shopping at the malls is less intimidating than the bazaars, but expect to pay a little more since there are fixed prices.
