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Qom Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
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Typical Souvenirs from Qom (2026)
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Typical Souvenirs from Qom (2026)
Sohan is a rich, brittle toffee made from wheat germ, butter, saffron, and pistachios, and it is Qom's most iconic edible souvenir. The city is the undisputed capital of⦠𧿠Sohan: Saffron Brittle
Sohan is a rich, brittle toffee made from wheat germ, butter, saffron, and pistachios, and it is Qom's most iconic edible souvenir. The city is the undisputed capital of sohan, with shops like Sohan Haji Badri (on Eram Street) and Sohan Sohanpour (on Moallem Street) selling it fresh daily from 8 AM to 10 PM. A 500-gram box costs between 150,000 and 300,000 Iranian rials (about $3 to $6 USD), depending on the quality and amount of pistachio. Historically, sohan was prepared in Qom for special occasions and offered to pilgrims returning from the nearby holy shrine of Fatima Masumeh.
𧡠Qom Silk and Termeh
Qom has been a center of silk weaving for centuries, and its fine silk fabrics and termeh (a handwoven brocade with intricate floral or paisley patterns) are highly prized. You can find authentic pieces at the Qom Bazaar, particularly in the textile section along Taleghani Street, or at dedicated shops like Termeh Sara on Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Street. Prices for a small termeh tablecloth start around 2,000,000 rials ($40 USD), while silk scarves range from 500,000 to 1,500,000 rials. The craft reflects Qom's historical role on the Silk Road and its tradition of luxury textile production.
πΏ Prayer Stones and Turbah
A turbah is a small clay tablet used by Shia Muslims for prostration during prayer, and Qom is a major source of these, often made from the soil of Karbala or local clay. They are sold at religious supply shops around the Hazrat Masumeh shrine, such as the stalls in the covered bazaar on Eram Street, and typically cost between 20,000 and 100,000 rials (under $1). Many are stamped with elegant Arabic calligraphy or the names of saints. Buying a turbah from Qom connects the pilgrim to the city's spiritual significance as a center of Shia scholarship.
π Religious Calligraphy
Hand-painted or printed calligraphy panels featuring Quranic verses or the names of Imams are popular souvenirs, often created by local artists. The best place to browse is the art shops along Jomhuri Street near the shrine, where you can watch artists at work. Prices vary widely: a small unframed piece starts at 300,000 rials ($6 USD), while large, hand-painted works can exceed 5,000,000 rials ($100 USD). This art form is deeply tied to Qom's identity as a theological hub, where calligraphy has been taught and practiced for generations.
π¬ Saffron and Herbal Distillates
Qom's dry climate and proximity to saffron-growing regions make it a good place to buy high-grade saffron threads, as well as traditional herbal distillates like rosewater and mint water. Head to the spice section of the Qom Bazaar or shops like Attari Bazaar on Moallem Street, open from 9 AM to 9 PM. A gram of premium saffron costs around 150,000 to 250,000 rials ($3 to $5 USD), while a liter of rosewater is about 100,000 rials. These products are staples of Persian cuisine and traditional medicine, and locals often gift them to relatives outside the city.
π§Ά Handwoven Rugs and Kilims
While not as famous as Tabriz or Isfahan, Qom produces fine handwoven rugs and kilims, often with silk highlights and intricate medallion designs. The Qom Carpet Bazaar, located on Ayatollah Khomeini Street, is the main place to compare pieces from local weavers. A small 1x1.5 meter rug starts around 20,000,000 rials ($400 USD), and prices rise with knot density and silk content. Qom's rug industry grew in the 20th century, and today local workshops are known for their high-quality silk blends.
π Religious Books and Manuscripts
As a major center of Islamic scholarship, Qom has numerous bookstores selling religious texts, prayer books, and even rare manuscripts. The most famous is the bookstore row on Eram Street near the shrine, with shops like Ketabforushi Dar al-Hikmah open from 8 AM to 8 PM. A pocket-sized Quran costs from 100,000 rials ($2 USD), while scholarly commentaries can run into millions of rials. These books are not just souvenirs but tools for study, reflecting Qom's role as a seminary city.
ποΈ Where to Shop and Tips
The best concentration of souvenir shops is around the Hazrat Masumeh shrine, especially in the covered bazaar and along Eram Street, but for lower prices and less touristy options, try the Qom Bazaar on Taleghani Street. Most shops are open Saturday to Thursday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and closed on Fridays until after noon prayers. Bargaining is acceptable in smaller shops, though fixed prices are common in larger stores. Remember that customs regulations may restrict bringing certain food items or large quantities of saffron into your home country, so check before you buy.
good writeup, the sohan price range is pretty accurate from what ive seen this year. one angle nobody mentioned yet is weight and packing, sohan is basically butter and sugar so it goes soft fast in summer, if ur buying it in July grab the tins not the open boxes and keep it out of the car trunk. also for the saffron, the 1-gram vials at the shrine shops are convenient but check the label for a date, some of the cheap ones sit on the shelf for years and lose their punch.
solid list, the turbah detail is the one most tourists miss. one thing id add is that sohan gets weirdly regional even inside qom, the stuff from the smaller bakeries off Eram is often fresher than the big name shops and cheaper too, just look for the ones pulling trays out around 4 or 5pm. also if ur flying out of tehran instead of qom, buy ur saffron at the airport last minute, customs at IKA sometimes flags loose threads and the prices there arent as bad as u'd think for small amounts
one thing missing here is timing for the shrine area. if u go during Muharram or Fatimiyya the whole bazaar around Hazrat Masumeh turns into a different scene, way more stalls pop up selling turbah and prayer stones on the street itself, plus free tea and nazri food everywhere, but the actual shops get so packed u can barely move. for termeh specifically id skip the shrine shops and go to the little workshops behind Taleghani, some of them let u watch the weaving and u can order a custom size piece instead of just buying what's on the shelf. prices there were maybe 20 percent less than the front stores last time i checked
Qom Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
In Qom, men typically greet each other with a handshake, but women should not offer their hand to men unless the man extends his first. A common greeting is 'Salaam alaβ¦ π Greetings and Handshakes
In Qom, men typically greet each other with a handshake, but women should not offer their hand to men unless the man extends his first. A common greeting is 'Salaam alaikum' (peace be upon you), to which the reply is 'Alaikum salaam'. When meeting someone of the opposite gender, a simple nod and placing your right hand over your heart is respectful. Avoid physical contact like hugging or kissing on the cheek unless you know the person well.
π Religious Site Rules
At the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the main shrine building, but they can visit the surrounding courtyards. Women must wear a full chador (available for free at the entrance) and men should wear long pants. Photography is prohibited inside the shrine, and you should keep your voice low. Remove your shoes before entering any prayer area.
π½οΈ Dining Etiquette
When dining in a traditional Qom restaurant like Shabestan, you'll often sit on floor cushions around a low table. Wait for the eldest or most senior person to start eating before you begin. Tipping is not customary in Iran, but leaving a small extra amount (around 10%) is appreciated in tourist areas. If you're invited to someone's home, bring a small gift like sweets or flowers, and expect the host to insist on paying the bill when eating out.
π Dress Code for Visitors
Women must cover their hair with a scarf and wear loose, long-sleeved tops that cover the hips, even in non-religious areas. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. In Qom, the dress code is stricter than in Tehran, so dark colors and a manteau (long coat) are common. Bring a light scarf in summer, as temperatures can reach 40Β°C (104Β°F) in July.
πΈ Photography and Privacy
Always ask permission before taking photos of people, especially women, and never photograph military or government buildings. At the shrine, photography is only allowed in the outer courtyards, not inside the holy areas. If you're unsure, look for signs or ask a guard. Avoid taking photos of worshippers in prayer.
π£οΈ Public Behavior and Volume
Keep your voice down in public spaces, especially in bazaars and near religious sites. In Qom, loud laughter or shouting is considered rude. When queueing, maintain a respectful distance and avoid pushing; lines are generally orderly. Men and women should avoid prolonged eye contact or casual conversation in public unless necessary.
π Transport and Tipping
On public buses, men sit in the front and women in the back; this segregation is enforced. Taxis are plentiful, but you should agree on the fare before getting in; a ride within the city center costs around 50,000 to 100,000 Iranian rials (about $0.10 to $0.20). Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up is polite. For intercity buses, women are usually seated in the back half.
ποΈ Bazaar and Shopping
In the Qom Bazaar, bargaining is common but should be done politely and with a smile. Never offer a price less than half of the initial quote, as it may offend the seller. When you agree on a price, you're expected to buy. Avoid touching items you don't intend to purchase, especially in carpet shops.
good guide, covers the main stuff. one thing i'd add that nobody mentions: the etiquette around taarof gets confusing in Qom specifically, more than Tehran. if someone offers you something, tea, a seat, food, you're supposed to decline once or twice before accepting. but if you decline three times genuinely, they'll drop it. took me a while to read which was which.
the shrine shoe token thing the other commenter mentioned is real, but also worth knowing there's a separate entrance for foreign visitors and they'll assign you a guide if you ask at the info desk near the courtyard. free, and they'll walk you through the rules so you don't get scolded.
on dress, locals in Qom wear the chador way more than Tehran, but tourists can get by with a manteau and scarf in the bazaar and streets, just not at the shrine. nobody really polices it outside the holy areas as long as you're covered properly.
One thing the guide misses is the metro, Qom finally got its line running and it's segregated too with women's cars at the front, but honestly it doesn't reach the shrine yet so you'll still be doing taxis for that last stretch. The bigger tip is Friday, the whole city basically shuts down around midday prayer and the bazaar goes quiet for a couple hours, so don't plan your shopping trip for Friday morning thinking it'll be business as usual. Also if you're there during Muharram or Ramadan the rhythm of everything shifts, restaurants close during daylight in Ramadan and
solid writeup, the chador bit is spot on. one thing i'd add is the shoe situation at Fatima Masumeh, there's a shoe guardian (amin) at each entrance who gives you a token and you hand over your shoes, so don't just leave them in a pile or you'll be hunting for them later. also the courtyards do allow non-muslims but the main shrine itself is a hard no, and the guards will gently redirect you if you drift too close.
on taxis, the rial numbers you quoted are way off for 2026, a short ride is more like 500k to 1m rials now, the currency has moved a lot. also snapp works in Qom now which takes the haggling out of it if you don't feel like negotiating every time
for food, don't sleep on sohan, it's a Qom specialty, a saffron pistachio brittle, buy it from a proper sweet shop near the bazaar not the tourist stalls by the shrine, way better quality & half the price