Often located within (or on the site of) former caravanserai, these may be enclosed or open-air. They usually have a large number of "streets" which may radiate out from a central courtyard, or be arranged in a grid pattern. Stores with similar products are often gathered together, so there will be different streets for clothing, footwear, carpets, jewellery, toys, spices, etc.

    They are almost always crowded, with handcarts and the ubiquitous motorcycles competing with pedestrians. The enclosed bazaars are usually very brightly lit by hundreds of high-watt lights (which adds to the difficulty for photographers).