In the age of the superstore, most Iranians continue to rely on these mazes of covered lanes, madrasehs and caravanserais for much of their shopping.
Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and Kashan all have atmospheric bazaars where you can browse beneath domed ceilings, dodge motorcycles and stop in tiny teahouses for a hot brew and qalyan (water pipe). But perhaps the greatest bazaar is the World Heritage-listed Bazar-e Tabriz, the world's largest covered bazaar and once among the most important trading centres on the Silk Road.