RocApply dedicates this guide to students whose itch for shopping needs a tame. Iran has something perfect meant to satisfy the crave! The old souks and winding lanes of the country with its traditional mosques and inns have particular streets given to spices, gold, silverware, and animal skins. There're beautiful jewelry and perfume shops, filled with racks of blended oils and fragrances and old warehouses devoted to mineral creations.
Shopping in the country is more than just a trip to the local bazaar. In fact, one of the things that makes it a breeze is that typical products are clustered in one area. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve made the best guide for shopping stores in Iran, Tehran in particular, to fulfill your shopping needs. The main shopping area in the capital is the Grand Bazaar, which is a maze of alleys and storefronts. Bargaining is a must and travelers will discover anything their heart desires, from carpets, jewelry and souvenirs to trinkets and more.
There is a wide range of goods from cheap to expensive, so every visitor should be able to find what they are looking for. A popular item to purchase in the country is rugs, which should come as no surprise, as the country has years of history in the art of carpet-making or more precisely, carpet knotting. Be careful not to spend more than you are willing to, no matter what the seller insists it is worth.
There are valuable and antique carpets, but these cannot be figured by an average person, so it is better to trade away from the so-called "antique" carpets. If you're looking for top quality rugs, the major shops in Tehran are Azimzadeh Carpet and Shafaghi Carpet (both on Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran), which can also ship to your ultimate destination. Silk rugs tend to be softer than wool, but tend to wear easier and are more expensive.
A good rule of thumb when shopping here is to look for muted colors, which shows that the yarn used was dyed naturally, rather than with chemicals, which tend to be more lively. Iran is also known for its intricate and wonderful metalwork and wood carving. Metal handicrafts, comprising of intricate enamel, is popular and beautiful, and can be found at affordable rates. It is well worth shopping around to get a touch for the prices and do not forget to haggle to get a good bargain.
Visitors will also find that there are plenty of western-style shopping malls in the capital and new ones are popping up every year. The major malls include the Golestan Shopping Center and Tirajeh Shopping Center. Foreigners will find international brand names as well as malls. Shopping at the malls is less intimidating than the bazaars, but you should expect to pay a little more since there are fixed prices.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
