Antalya is one of Turkey’s top tourist destinations, known for its beautiful beaches, ancient sites, and lively atmosphere. Over 15 million tourists visited Antalya in 2021, making it the most visited city in Turkey. With its location on the Turkish Riviera along the Mediterranean coast, Antalya offers visitors a perfect mix of sun, sea, history and culture all in one place. The city is situated in a stunning natural setting, surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and facing the turquoise blue waves of the Mediterannean.
Antalya’s old town, known as Kaleiçi, features Ottoman-era architecture and charming cobblestone streets perfect for wandering. Just outside the city are famous ancient Greek and Roman ruins like Aspendos theatre and Perge. Along Antalya’s coastline are long stretches of sandy beaches dotted with beach clubs and restaurants. Inland you’ll find verdant nature awaits at spots like Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls. Antalya truly has something for every type of traveler – relax on the beach, explore historic sites, or enjoy outdoor activities.
Importance of Markets and Bazaars
No trip to Antalya is complete without visiting its famous markets and bazaars. These lively marketplaces are the heart of Antalya, where locals and tourists alike shop for spices, textiles, souvenirs and more. Wandering through Antalya’s bazaars offers an authentic glimpse into Turkish culture and a chance to practice your haggling skills. The sights, sounds and smells of these bustling markets are an essential part of the Antalya experience.
Markets and bazaars have been an integral part of Antalya for thousands of years, from the time it was an important Roman port city. Today these shopping areas offer visitors a chance to soak in Antalya’s history while hunting for unique treasures and meeting friendly vendors. Trying new exotic foods, finding handmade crafts, and bargaining for deals makes exploring Antalya’s markets a memorable adventure.
Antalya Bazaar
Location and Schedule
The Antalya Bazaar is located right in the center of Antalya’s walled old town, very close to the iconic circular stone Hıdırlık Tower. It sits just inland from the old city harbor, about a 10 minute walk from Kalekapisi entrance gate. This market operates year-round, daily from early morning around 7-8am till evening around 7pm. However, the liveliest and most interesting time to visit is in the morning between 8am to noon when locals flock here to shop.
Products Available
As a traditional Turkish bazaar, the Antalya Bazaar sells mainly food items including fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olives, eggs, herbs, spices, sweets, nuts and more. The overflowing stalls feature giant mounds of fresh colorful produce, aromatic spices overflowing from sacks, hanging bunches of dried peppers and herbs, barrels of pickled items, blocks of cheese and tubs of olives, nuts and sweets.
You can also find household products like towels, linens, and clothing items embellished with traditional Turkish motifs and patterns. Souvenir shops abound with items like ceramic dishes, evil eye amulets and lanterns. It’s easy to spend hours wandering the market browsing everything on offer.
Haggling Tips
Haggling and bargaining is very much expected and part of the fun at the Antalya Bazaar. Don’t be shy to negotiate! The first price quoted will always be inflated, so start by offering about 30-40% less than what the vendor states. Many will immediately take your counteroffer, while some may require a bit of friendly back and forth bargaining.
Remember to keep a smile on your face and maintain a playful, relaxed attitude when haggling. Never lose your temper. Often walking away for a few minutes will result in the seller calling you back to accept a lower price. For the best deals, visit near closing time when vendors are willing to discount items to avoid taking produce home unsold.
Kaleiçi
Location and Schedule
The historic neighborhood of Kaleiçi is located directly adjacent to the Antalya Bazaar, just south and west along Antalya’s winding cobblestone streets. Most shops and stores in Kaleiçi are open daily from around 9am to 9pm. However some do close for an afternoon break between 1pm to 3pm. Kaleiçi is very walkable and shopping here can be combined with exploring the ancient narrow alleyways.
Products Available
Kaleiçi offers higher-end boutique style shopping with a focus on handicrafts, souvenirs and gourmet food items. You can find artisan crafted ceramics, metal ware, textiles and jewelry here made with high quality materials and fine workmanship. Intricate hand woven carpets, vividly painted tiles and plates, and filigreed silver jewelry are some top purchases.
Other popular Kaleiçi finds are soft Turkish cotton towels and robes, olive oil soaps, boxes of baklava and lokum, evil eye beads to ward off bad luck, aromatic teas and spices. Scattered amid the shopping are cute cafes to stop for a break over Turkish coffee or apple tea. Kaleiçi does have more fixed prices than other markets, but polite bargaining is still welcomed.
Unique Shopping Experience
Wandering through the stone Ottoman-era buildings, arched alleyways draped with bougainvillea flowers, and outdoor courtyards makes shopping in Kaleiçi a one-of-a-kind travel experience. The quaint old world ambiance creates a romantic backdrop while hunting for the perfect souvenir. Compared to other more hectic bazaars, Kaleiçi offers a more relaxed refined place to buy quality handicrafts and gifts to take back home.
Çağlayan Bazaar
Location and Schedule
The Çağlayan Bazaar is centrally located just east of the Kalekapisi entrance gate into Antalya’s walled old town. It sits above the busy Atatürk street along the Saburhane riverbank. This sprawling market operates year-round, daily from around 8am to 7pm. However, Saturday is the major market day when you’ll find all the vendors open and the largest crowds.
Products Available
With over 2000 stalls and shops crammed into a small labyrinth of alleyways, Çağlayan Bazaar carries a hugely diverse range of goods. Compared to Antalya Bazaar, Çağlayan has far less food items. You’ll find mainly clothes, shoes, household goods, electronics, jewelry, handicrafts, fabrics, toys, and knick-knacks here.
There are also specialized zones within Çağlayan Bazaar, like the gold jewelry section and clothing district where you’ll find rows of similar shops. It’s also a great place to buy Turkish souvenirs like evil eye beads, lamps, spices, coffee and tea. With patience you can find some amazing deals at the Çağlayan Bazaar if you enjoy bargaining.
Tips for Shopping
The bazaar gets extremely crowded on Saturday, almost to the point of being uncomfortable. For a more relaxed experience, try visiting during the weekday when the vendors are less busy and more willing to negotiate prices. It’s easy to get lost in the small streets, so pay attention to landmarks.
Be sure to compare prices between different stalls selling similar items. Break large bills at the currency exchange booths before shopping to have small change for payments and bartering. Keep your valuables secure and beware pickpockets in crowded spots.
Wednesday Bazaar
Location and Schedule
As the name suggests, this open-air market sets up only on Wednesdays in Cumhuriyet Meydanı city square near the Iskele harbor. Vendors begin setting up early around 7am and operate until around 4pm. It’s busiest between 10am to 2pm.
Products Available
The Wednesday Bazaar mainly sells clothing, textiles, fabric and household linens. You can sift through piles of robes, kaftans, pantaloons, shawls, skirts, shirts, dresses, towels, tablecloths and more. Vendors display their wares on racks and tables or spreaded on tarps on the ground.
In addition to the endless clothing, you can also find shoes, kitchenware, electronics, toys, pet supplies, luggage and discount brand cosmetics. Anything goes at this diverse flea market style bazaar! But textiles and cheap clothing remain the highlight.
Best Time to Visit
Get here in the early morning between 7am to 9am for the best selection, before the crowds arrive. Many vendors are willing to give good deals during this time to attract early customers. Prices start dropping later afternoon around 2pm as sellers discount remaining wares rather than packing them up unsold. But if you want to avoid the peak crowds, early is best.
Laura Street Market
Location and Schedule
This small street market is located along Laura Street within the Kaleiçi old town, about a 5-minute walk from the Kalekapisi entrance gate. It spans both sides of the street for a few blocks and operates year-round from around 10am to 7pm daily. Some individual stall owners may take a lunch break so hours can be variable.
Products Available
Laura Street Market offers higher end and locally handcrafted items like Turkish carpets, artistic ceramics, metalwork lanterns and decor. You can also find evil eye beads to ward off bad luck, soft pashmina scarves, aromatic spices and herbal teas. Compared to the major bazaars, Laura Street Market has a more curated selection focused on quality.
Tips for Bargaining
Laura Street Market vendors do expect customers to haggle and negotiate over prices for items that don’t have fixed price tags. Feel free to start around 30% below the stated price. Sellers may offer a complimentary tea to potential buyers to build rapport. Don’t feel pressured, you can always politely walk away.
Dogu Garaji Market
Location and Schedule
The Dogu Garaji Market is a large indoor second-hand goods market located inside the historic Dogu Garaji tram station, just east of Antalya’s old town across the bridge. It’s open on Saturdays only from around 7am to 4pm. You’ll find the best selection and crowds in the morning.
Products Available
As a flea market, Dogu Garaji consists primarily of used items like clothes, shoes, household goods, toys, luggage, electronics, appliances, books, sports equipment, children’s items, and furniture. You can often find nearly new products for heavily discounted prices if you don’t mind pre-owned condition.
In between the used goods, you will also see booths selling handicrafts, fabrics, jewelry, t-shirts and more. It’s like an indoor yard sale meets bazaar shopping! Dogu Garaji is a great spot to discover hidden gems and really test your bargaining skills.
Best Time to Visit
Hit the Dogu Garaji early on Saturday mornings starting at 7am for the best selection, before the serious shoppers arrive. Many locals come around mid-morning to hunt for amazing deals on used products, so competition gets fiercer for the quality goods later on. Prices drop dramatically in the afternoon as vendors discount everything rather than packing it back up.
Conclusion
Visiting the bustling bazaars and markets is one of the best ways to experience local Antalya culture, hunt for unique souvenirs, and practice your haggling skills. Wandering past mounds of fresh produce, displays of handmade crafts, and hanging textiles while meeting friendly vendors allows you to soak in the sights, sounds and aromas of an authentic Turkish marketplace.
Return home from your Antalya travels with a suitcase stuffed full of delicious edible treats, high quality handicrafts and textiles, and memories of lively market adventures that you’ll cherish forever. The bazaars bring Antalya’s rich history and cultural spirit to life in an unforgettable way for tourists and locals alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Antalya’s markets and bazaars?
The ideal time is morning between opening hours to about 10am when foot traffic is lively but the markets are not overcrowded yet. For food-focused markets, earliest morning will have the freshest just-arrived produce.
What are the most popular items to buy at Antalya’s markets and bazaars?
Handicrafts like Turkish rugs, ceramics, metalware, jewelry and evil eye charms are top souvenir purchases. Edible treats like spices, Turkish delight (lokum) candies, nuts and tea make excellent food gifts. Textiles like robes, towels and table linens also represent great Turkish shopping finds.
How can I get to the markets and bazaars in Antalya?
Most markets are centrally located within Antalya’s historic Kaleiçi old town district, so they are walkable from nearby hotels or pensions. For further spots, public transportation like tram, bus or taxi can help you reach the markets. Guided tour groups are another option that take care of transport and offer insider tips.
What’s the best way to haggle and bargain at Antalya’s markets?
Start with an offer around 30-40% below the vendor’s quoted price. Have a maximum price in mind that you’re willing to pay and stick close to it. Maintain a friendly smile and attitude, don’t lose your temper. Being willing to walk away is key bargaining leverage. Near closing time, vendors may give deep discounts rather than leaving goods unsold.
What are Antalya’s top markets and bazaars for shopping?
- Kaleiçi – High-end handicrafts, ceramics, jewelry
- Antalya Bazaar – Food, spices, housewares
- Çağlayan Bazaar – Clothing, fabrics, souvenirs
- Wednesday Bazaar – Textiles, clothing, discount goods
- Dogu Garaji – Used items, flea market finds
