Shopping in Multan means the old city's bazaars more than any mall: Hussain Agahi for sweets, fabric and dry fruit, the lanes around it for khussa shoes and embroidery, and Saddar Bazaar and Gulgasht Avenue if you want fixed-price, air-conditioned shopping instead. This guide organises Multan's shopping by what you're looking for, with notes on bargaining and what genuinely makes sense to carry home.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Old city bazaars | Hussain Agahi, Chowk Bazaar, Kachehri Bazaar |
| Modern shopping | Gulgasht Avenue, Cantt-side plazas |
| Signature buys | Sohan halwa, Multani blue pottery, khussa shoes, embroidered fabric |
| Bargaining | Expected in bazaar stalls; fixed prices in branded shops and malls |
| Best time to shop | Late afternoon into evening, once the day's heat has eased |
| Payment | Cash for bazaar stalls; cards accepted in most modern shops |
Hussain Agahi: the old city's main bazaar
Hussain Agahi, named after the Sufi Pir Hussain Agahi, is Multan's oldest and busiest bazaar, running through the heart of the walled city near the fort mound. It is the place for sohan halwa and other dairy sweets, a dedicated dry-fruit market, embroidered and block-printed fabric, and general wedding shopping, all packed into narrow, crowded lanes. Our Multani sohan halwa buying guide covers the sweet shops here in detail, and our famous food guide covers what else to eat while you're browsing.
Go in the late afternoon or evening, when the bazaar is at its busiest and most atmospheric, and keep a hand on your phone and wallet in the crowd, as in any dense market.
Khussa and embroidered footwear
Multan is one of Pakistan's centres for khussa, the traditional embroidered slip-on shoe made by hand from leather and decorated with thread work, mirrors, beads or brass studs. Shops specialising in khussa cluster in and around Hussain Agahi and the lanes near it, with styles ranging from plain, everyday leather khussa to heavily embellished bridal versions. Sizing runs differently from ordinary shoes, so try a pair on rather than guessing, and expect handmade pairs to vary slightly from one another, since that variation is part of what makes them handmade rather than a fault.
Multani blue pottery
The blue-and-turquoise glazed pottery that decorates Multan's shrines is also sold as plates, vases and tea sets in the old city's craft shops and in Saddar Bazaar on the Cantt side. It is genuinely fragile and needs careful packing to survive the trip home. Our separate guide to Multani blue pottery covers how to judge quality, where to buy it and how to pack it.
Fabric, embroidery and general goods
Beyond khussa and pottery, the old city bazaars are strong on textiles: hand-embroidered and block-printed Multani fabric, ready-made and tailored clothing, and general household goods. Kachehri Bazaar, near Ghanta Ghar, is more of a wholesale and retail market for textiles, stationery and everyday items, useful if you want practical goods rather than crafts. Our guide to Ghanta Ghar and the old city covers that part of town, including the walk between the clock tower and Hussain Agahi.
Modern shopping: Gulgasht Avenue and Cantt plazas
If bazaar crowds and bargaining aren't for you, Multan also has conventional, fixed-price shopping. Gulgasht Avenue, in Gulgasht Colony, has become one of the city's main commercial strips, with national clothing and footwear brands, food chains and shopping plazas alongside newer restaurants. It's a reasonable option in the hottest months, when an air-conditioned strip is more comfortable than an open-air bazaar in the middle of the day, though it has little of the character of the old city.
Bargaining in Multan's bazaars
Bargaining is normal and expected in the old city's bazaars, particularly for crafts, fabric and clothing sold from stalls rather than fixed shopfronts. A few basics apply as they do across Pakistan:
- Prices in the old city are usually a starting point, not a final figure, especially for anything aimed at visitors.
- Fixed-price shops, malls and branded stores don't expect haggling. Look for a printed price tag as the signal.
- Comparing two or three stalls selling the same thing before committing gives a fair sense of the going rate.
- Bargain politely and without pressure. Multani shopkeepers are used to visitors and generally straightforward to deal with.
- Cash is still the norm in the bazaars, so carry enough on you rather than relying on cards outside the modern shopping areas.
What actually makes sense to take home
Not everything sold in Multan travels well or is worth the space in your bag. A short, honest list of what to prioritise:
- Sohan halwa, sold in sealed tins that survive travel well if kept out of the heat.
- A small piece of blue pottery, chosen for how well it will pack rather than the largest one you can find.
- A pair of khussa, tried on and checked for fit before buying.
- A length of embroidered or block-printed fabric, which packs flat and light compared with crafts.
Heavier crafts, large pottery sets and anything with delicate, protruding parts are the things most likely to arrive home broken or simply too bulky to have been worth carrying.
Is a shopping trip to Multan worth planning around?
For most visitors, shopping is something to build into a broader Multan trip rather than the reason for one. If you are already in the city for the shrines and the fort mound, an evening in Hussain Agahi and a stop for blue pottery or khussa rounds the trip out well. If shopping specifically for crafts is your priority, allow a full afternoon and evening for the old city alone, since the bazaars reward slow browsing rather than a quick pass-through. Our Multan itinerary shows where shopping fits alongside the shrines and food in a one- or two-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is bargaining expected when shopping in Multan?
Yes, in the old city's bazaars and stalls. Fixed-price shops, malls and branded stores on Gulgasht Avenue and in Cantt don't expect it.
What is the best area for traditional crafts in Multan?
Hussain Agahi and the surrounding old city lanes, for khussa, blue pottery, embroidered fabric and sweets, all within walking distance of each other.
What should I buy in Multan to take home?
Sohan halwa, a small piece of blue pottery, khussa shoes and embroidered fabric cover the city's main crafts and pack reasonably well for travel.
Is it safe to carry cash while shopping in the old city?
The bazaars are busy and crowded rather than dangerous, but keep valuables secure and carry only the cash you plan to spend, as in any crowded market.
Where can I shop if I want air-conditioned, fixed-price shops instead of bazaars?
Gulgasht Avenue and the plazas around Multan Cantt have national clothing and footwear brands and modern shopping centres.
