Turkey is known for inexpensive and varied shopping, very popular among Russians. These oriental markets are a separate attraction of this country. Tourists often come to Turkish markets not only for shopping, but also to enjoy the unique atmosphere and gain experience. One of the most beloved in Russia and the most visited tourist regions of Turkey is Antalya.
Overview of Antalya Markets
Antalya is one of the largest cities in Turkey and the largest on the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a beautiful picturesque corner where tourists always have something to do. Beach holidays and architectural sights, oriental sweets and Turkish ice cream, boat trips and hammams - all that Antalya gives its guests cannot be listed. Local markets are a separate area of tourism. A feature of Antalya markets in Turkey is their nomadic way of life. We can say that the same market operates once a week in different areas of the city. Nevertheless, everyone has their own charm.
Having decided to plunge into the atmosphere of the oriental bazaar, it is better to check with the hotel which markets and which days work nearby. On the markets in Antalya, you can buy absolutely everything that you want, and meet something that was not even dreamed of. Fruits, sweets, decorations, souvenirs, spices - dizziness may begin from a variety. Special attention is paid to the city's clothing markets. No wonder Russia and Turkey are connected by a long and successful shopping. In Russian stores, Turkish items are not the last in terms of volume. In Turkish bazaars you can find clothes, shoes, textiles, accessories of any quality and at any price. The article provides a brief overview of some of the most popular markets in Antalya.
Central market
The central market is also called the Big Bazaar. This is the main clothing market in Antalya. However, there is no lack of products here either. This covered market is located on a vast area. The peculiarity of this place is that all sellers work in national costumes to preserve and convey the atmosphere of a real oriental bazaar. They succeed in this. It is in this market that you can buy very high-quality items at prices that are much lower than in stores. In addition, being able to bargain, you can reduce the price by half, which you will not do in the store. In general, the products at the bazaar are of high quality.
The day Antalya's Central Market awaits guests is Wednesday. It is worth paying attention to authentic goods: oriental sweets, original hookahs, fragrant spices, teas, gold and silver jewelry. You can spend the whole day at the Central Market and, in addition to successful shopping, gain unforgettable impressions, smells and sounds of the East.
Market "Altinkum"
Market Day in Altinkum - Friday. It is good to come here for the freshest vegetables and fruits. Tasty and beautiful tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, watermelons, berries can be bought at a very low price. In this market, prices are generally much lower than in other areas, since it is remote from the main tourist routes. Most local people shop here.
The clothing market in Antalya in Altinkum is also inexpensive and varied. The quality may be slightly lower than at the Grand Bazaar, but, for example, you can buy a variety of beach accessories and accessories here. In addition to low prices, sales are regularly held at the market with substantial discounts. It is profitable to buy bed linen, towels, pajamas and baby products. Altinkum, in addition, is one of Antalya's most vibrant markets in terms of national flavor.
Market "Estuary"
On Tuesday, citizens and guests of Antalya will enjoy a market in Liman. This bazaar is much smaller than other Antalya markets. It has its own characteristics: it is better to visit it at lunchtime, when all the sellers gather, the goods here are laid out beautifully, prices are set on each. And if there is a desire to buy things or products at the lowest price, it is worth visiting the "Estuary" in the evening, since sellers sharply reduce prices before closing.
Market "Lara"
In the Lara region is one of the largest clothing markets in Antalya in Turkey. Its peculiarity is that merchants are not located in specially organized places, but simply in the streets of the Lara district. You can combine shopping with a walk along the streets of the city. At the bazaar low prices and a huge assortment of things. It is worth fearing scammers and outright low-quality fakes, which are enough on the Lara market in Antalya. Another popular market is also open in the area on Saturdays - Dedeman.
Charshamba
In Sharampol on Wednesday, the market "Charshamba". It is large and very popular among tourists. The quality of things in this market, as our compatriots note, is not very high, but the choice is very large. Many tourists from Russia are happy to buy inexpensive everyday things (jeans, t-shirts) here for the whole family.
It is also recommended to look at leather and fur products. It is on the Charshamba market in Antalya that you can choose inexpensive quality things. Another attractive feature of “Charshamba” - here you can buy amazing gizmos produced by local craftsmen and rare antique items.
Flea market "Kemaralti"
This is one of the oldest flea markets in the country. It is located in the center of Izmir, near Antalya. Coming here, a person enters the world of magical things. Ancient mysterious figurines made of glass, clay and wood, jewelry made of gold and silver, handmade carpets - all this will be a wonderful acquisition for guests of Turkey.
Shirinyaly
In the Lara district, another popular Antalya market, the Shirinyaly, is noisy on Saturdays. The local population calls it a secular market. There is always a large selection of fresh products.
On the market in the Shirinyala area in Antalya, you can buy fairly high-quality fakes of famous world brands. And you can even find real branded items, though without labels. And all this at very nice prices. Shirinyaly is advised to come for quality textiles.
"Market navigator"
As already mentioned, the markets in Antalya operate once a week, each time scattering shopping tents in different areas of the city. All of them share common features and approximately the same assortment of goods. Here in different markets you can easily meet the same sellers. But still, each of them surprisingly has its own characteristics, atmosphere. They are different in scope, price, quality of goods.
The market work schedule looks something like this (by microdistrict):
- Monday - Etiler;
- on Tuesday - Bayyndyr and Persimmon;
- on Wednesday - the Central Market and the district of Yesilbahce;
- on Thursday - Yildiz, Shirinyaly, Meltem;
- on Friday - Guzeloba;
- on Saturday - Lara;
- Sunday - Barynaklar, Konyaalti.
Opening hours of the markets: 6.00-22.00.
There is one bazaar in Antalya that works every day. It is located in the historic center of Kaleici. Here you can buy a wide variety of souvenirs. For original Turkish souvenirs, it is best to come here.
In the area of Antalya International Airport, there is a duty-free market where you can buy everything, including electronic equipment. The name of the market speaks for itself. Sellers accept any currency here, but purchases can only be made upon presentation of a passport.
Not far from the exhibition complex Sabanchi is the market of organic products. Here you can buy organic local vegetables and fruits. This market operates during the harvest season: summer and autumn.
How to get to the markets of Antalya from different areas of the city, it is better to check with the hotel staff. Regular buses (otogars) and minibuses (dolmushi) regularly run between the districts. Private taxi service is available. It is expensive, but bargaining is possible with local taxi drivers. Often at hotels they offer special shopping tours.
Tourists reviews
If you look at the reviews of tourists about the markets of Antalya, it can be noted that each of them has its fans. Some tourists are attracted by the lowest prices, while others purposefully go for authentic Turkish products. There are also those who prefer to buy quality fakes of famous brands in Turkey. In any case, in this state you can buy the same things that you liked in Russian stores, but at much lower prices. Well, of course, this country remains the center of wholesale trade for entrepreneurs from Russia. You can buy goods for sale in almost any market. All tourists note the special atmosphere of the eastern bazaar, an incredible amount and variety of goods.
Of the negative impressions, the excessive importunity of local sellers leads. It affects the difference between European and Eastern mentalities. Experienced tourists are also advised to be careful with money when calculating a purchase, as they can be trivialized.
Travel Tips
When planning to visit the markets of Antalya, you need to remember a number of simple tips and rules:
- Bargaining is necessary, and not only to reduce prices, but also so as not to offend the seller.
- To expedite the bidding process, experienced buyers are advised to carry a notebook with a pen.
- Prices in the recreation area are designed for foreign tourists, so the initial figure indicated on the price tag is never real. In areas remote from the center you can buy everything at bargain prices, but it may be difficult to understand with traders if there is no knowledge of Turkish.
- You need to carefully monitor money and things (this is still a market).
- To buy the freshest products and not get tired of the heat, it is better to go to the market early in the morning, and if you are interested in the lowest prices, then it is better - in the evening.
- It must be remembered that meat is not sold in the food markets of Turkey, if you need this product, you must visit a special store.
- Experienced tourists especially recommend trying fresh and natural local cheeses, which lovers of this product will appreciate. The choice is very large, prices vary depending on the variety, sold by weight. Before buying, you must definitely try the product, because the taste of Antalya cheeses is very different from the usual one for Russians.
- Remember that there are a lot of fakes on the market (not always high-quality), so you need to be careful.
- Prices and assortment in the markets are constantly changing, so getting reliable information about them in advance is problematic.
- Sellers accept lira as payment, will not refuse to take dollars and euros, but at a very unfavorable rate. Therefore, it is better not to be too lazy and change money in the bank.
- In any market, you can buy a special volumetric bag on wheels for a small fee, which is very convenient.
- It should be remembered that prices in the tourist area are always higher than in other areas of the country. Therefore, if there was a desire to buy a small wholesale, then it is better to do it in Istanbul in special centers. Although in any market of Antalya you can organize any batch of goods.
If you set a goal - to visit all the markets of sunny Antalya during your vacation, then you can forget about the other types of recreation. But at least once to visit the eastern bazaar is a must. And even if you come here with sightseeing purposes, leaving the Turkish market empty-handed does not work.