The Best Neighborhood Markets in Turkey

Every Sunday Istanbul’s Kastamonu Market (also known as Tarihi İnebol Pazarı) is set up in the Kasımpaşa neighborhood, and is the perfect place for the health conscious. You’ll find fresh produce from the villages, as well as chickens, eggs and dairy products. The market starts at 7.30 am, so make sure to arrive early before the good runs out.

Located about a half hour drive outside of Bodrum in Yalıkavak, the fantastic Yalıkavak Market has been setting up its stalls every Thursday for the past 43 years. Here you’ll find produce grown in local gardens, fresh charcuterie items, spices, and countless olive varieties. The handmade Bodrum sandals are also quite famous, while textiles, such as handmade tablecloths and curtains, sway in the soft summer breeze.

Izmir’s famous market is said to be the city’s true heart, and its narrow winding streets are full of places to eat, artisan’s workshops, and shops, as well as hidden courtyards and mosques that are amazing to get lost in. Make sure to visit the historic Kızlarağası Han, an Ottoman-era caravanserai that has retained its grand charm.

No mention of markets in Turkey would be complete without the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s biggest covered markets. Here you’ll find everything from antiques to textiles, jewelry to leather goods, and so much more. The nearby Egyptian Bazaar is also a must for food shopping, including Turkish sweets, spices, cheeses, and coffee.

Tire’s market has been around for more than 600 years, and up to 30 thousand people visit every Tuesday. More than 1700 sellers display their goods from nearby villages, including fresh produce, herbs, flowers, cheeses, and oils. The handmade textiles produced by Tire’s village ladies are also beautiful.

Safranbolu makes for a great weekend trip, as their market has been setting every Saturday for more than 100 years. Fresh produce and herbs cultivated by the sellers themselves in nearby villages are displayed on numerous stalls. Make sure to buy the famous Taşköprü garlic and to drop by the city’s historic Arasta Çarşı (Ottoman Bazaar) for some souvenir shopping and a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.

The best place to shop for organic produce, dairy products, and even cleaning and beauty products sets up every Saturday in Istanbul’s Şişli neighborhood. Make sure to end your organic shopping spree with a freshly made gözleme and some freshly squeezed juice.

Located in the very popular summer town of Alaçatı, the market sets up every Saturday to display a colorful spectrum of fresh local goods from Urla, Tire, Izmir, and Milas villages. Apart from the amazing produce, you can also find textiles, shoes, and clothing.

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