Hotels near Kemeralti Bazaar

Kemeralti Bazaar is the beating commercial heart of Izmir old town and one of the oldest continually operating marketplaces in Turkey, with roots stretching back to the 17th century. The maze of narrow, tent-canopied lanes fans out east of Konak Square through the historic Namazgah and Basmane quarters, taking in more than a dozen restored hans (Ottoman caravanserais), spice shops, jewellers, coppersmiths, and cay (tea) courtyards where old traders still gather at midday. Highlights include the beautifully restored 18th-century Kizlaragasi Han, the 16th-century Hisar Mosque and the aromatic spice alley off Havra Sokak, the former Jewish quarter with several surviving synagogues.

Opening hours: shops generally trade from 09:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday, with many stalls closed on Sundays. Entry is free.

Pro Tip: Come hungry and start early. Grab a boyoz pastry and a glass of Turkish tea in Kizlaragasi Han before 10:00, when the alleys are still quiet enough to actually see the architecture.