SHIRAZ | Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz is the main section of the Shiraz Bazaar which was built in 11th Century by Karim Khan as part of a plan to make Shiraz into a prominent trading center. This architecturally beautiful building is a trade hub for merchants selling spices, rugs, handmade copper pieces, antiques, Persian sweets and much more.
Vakil Bazaar has a really vibrant and bustling atmosphere. This isn’t just a tourist trap like you find at similar spots around the world. Vakil Bazaar is a place where locals actually do their shopping.
Considered to be the most beautiful baazar in Iran, Vakil Baazar’s gorgeous vaulted brick ceiling regulates the temperature of the building by keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. This makes it a great place to escape the heat which can at times during the summer, be suffocating.
The halls are filled with the smell of spice which lingers throughout the bazaar. It is an amazing sensory experience.
As with everywhere we visited in Iran, the people here were incredibly friendly and happy to say hello and chat.
There is a very larger selection of handcrafted items on offer. If you’re interested in buying something I would recommend going with a local. Despite the fact people are nice, there is still, in many circumstances, one price for locals and another for tourists. We found this out when we wanted to buy a plate, we were quote twice the amount that one of our Iranian friend’s was quoted. In these situations we found it easier to have a look around, find the product we wanted and then to send in our friend to make the purchase.
Vakil Bazaar’s attractions are not limited to shopping, there are also numerous cafes, a bath house, and several restaurant’s that you can visit. I would recommend finding a little restaurant that serves dizi (a meat stew) and faloodeh (rice noodles served with a sweet rose syrup) which are synonymous with Shiraz cuisine. It’s a must while you are at the Bazaar. For more information on the kind of food you can find in Shiraz, check out our Shiraz Food Guide.
Vakil Bazaar is a must visit spot in Shiraz. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you’ll be mesmerised by the beauty and atmosphere of this market.