The city’s ancient trading district is home to several bazaars dating from different periods. The finest and most famous of these is the Bazar-e Vakil , a cruciform structure commissioned by Karim Khan as part of his plan to make Shiraz into a great trading centre. The wide vaulted brick avenues are masterpieces of Zand architecture, with the design ensuring the interior remains cool in summer and warm in winter. Today the bazaar is home to almost 200 stores selling carpets, handicrafts, spices and clothes and is best explored by wandering without concern for time or direction, soaking up the atmosphere in the maze of lanes leading off the main thoroughfares.
Chances are you’ll stumble across the Seray-e Moshir just off the main drag, Rouhollah Bazaar. This tastefully restored two-storey caravanserai is a pleasant place to gather your breath and do a bit of souvenir shopping. The nearby Seray-e Mehr Teahouse is a great choice for lunch or a tea. Also worth checking out is the Shamshirgarha Bazaar , an arcade where you’ll find tribal handicrafts. It leads to the forecourt of the Masjed-e Vakil (Vakil Mosque).
On the other side of Zand Blvd are the Bazar-e Vakil (North) and the Bazar-e Nou (New Bazaar), both built during the Qajar era.
