The Ashar district is Basra's historic commercial heart, and its bazaar — a dense network of covered lanes and open-fronted shops — is one of the most atmospheric in Iraq. The market stretches for several blocks behind the Corniche, selling everything from spices and textiles to electronics and household goods. The streets are narrow and overhung in places by traditional wooden-balconied buildings that survive in various states of repair.
Gold and jewellery shops cluster in one section; fabric merchants in another. The fruit and vegetable market runs along the east side. Basra was historically a trading city, a gateway between the Persian Gulf and the inland waterways, and the bazaar still has something of that mercantile energy. The best time to visit is mid-morning before the heat peaks; much of the market winds down by early afternoon. Friday is the quietest day. The bazaar is a good place to simply walk and observe daily life, even if you are not buying anything.