Kashan’s historic bazaar is one of the best in Iran. Busy but not hectic, traditional but with a wide variety of goods, large enough to surprise but not to get lost in, it’s a great place to wander for a couple of hours, especially in the late afternoon. The multidomed roof of the bazaar dates from the 19th century, but the site has been the centre of trade in Kashan for almost 800 years. If you step off the main thoroughfare, you’ll discover caravanserais, madrasehs, mosques and hammams (public bathhouses).
When exploring, be sure to make your way to the magnificent Khan Amin al-Dowleh Timche , a caravanserai with a soaring, beautifully decorated dome. Dating from 1868, it’s currently being restored by the Kashani Culture & Heritage Office. There’s a tea stand at one of its entrances where you can sit and watch a steady stream of shoppers pass by. Alternatively, the 19th-century Hammam-e Khan is a popular spot for a tea and qalyan (water pipe) in the late afternoon. Other notable features in the bazaar include the Seljuk-era Masjed-e Soltani (Soltani Mosque), located on the main thoroughfare (known as ‘The Main Line’), and the 800-year-old Mir Amad Mosque , located on a thoroughfare known as ‘The Copper Line’. The latter is also where the most interesting shops are located.
For a delicious snack, purchase some Kashani biscuits from one of the bazaar’s many patisseries – the nargili (coconut macaroons) are particularly delicious.
