The bazaar is one of the largest and most active in the Kurdistan Region, a sprawling traditional market covering several city blocks in the old centre with covered streets, specialised sections for different goods, and a constant flow of shoppers and traders. It is primarily a working market rather than a tourist experience — clothing, fabrics, spices, household goods, electronics, and food are the main trade.
The spice section is the most atmospheric part, with high piles of dried herbs, seeds, and powders. The gold bazaar — a cluster of jewellery shops — is busy on Friday mornings. The dried fruit section sells excellent local produce: figs, apricots, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts from the Kurdish mountains.
Haggling is expected in most sections. Prices for tourists and locals are often the same, but persistence helps in the cloth and household sections. The tea houses on the market's edges are informal and welcoming; most will let you sit without being a customer.