Isfahan is one of the best cities in Iran for buying handicrafts, and the quality of local craftsmanship genuinely justifies the effort. The Grand Bazaar is the obvious starting point, but dedicated workshops and boutique shops along Chaharbagh Boulevard and in the Jolfa district often have more interesting stock and are more open to negotiation. The crafts most associated with Isfahan are khatam (geometric inlaid woodwork on boxes, frames, and backgammon sets), malileh-kari (delicate silver filigree jewellery), and ghalamkari (hand-block-printed cotton textiles using traditional carved wooden blocks). Carpets are sold everywhere, but Isfahan carpets — with their dense knotting and floral medallion designs — are among the finest in Iran.