Some of the best shopping may be found in the Kaleici district, near the city walls. Meander down through the side streets in the old quarters where it's possible to find anything your heart desires. Old Turkish kilims, original gold jewellery, leather products, natural cotton clothing, handmade wood items as well as traditional Turkish handicrafts abound here. Ataturk, Cumhuriyet and Isiklar are the three other shopping avenues. Don't miss the colourful open air vegetable and fruit market, the place for food shopping as well as a great place for capturing that perfect picture.
There is a wealth of handicrafts available to the discerning shopper. Traditional items such as the world famous hand made kilims (rugs) in bold colours, beautifully hand-painted ceramics, copper and brassware and ornate Meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs and gifts.
Excellent quality gold, silver and leather goods are to be had at prices considerably less than abroad.
Busy street markets (the most central one takes place on Wednesdays between Isiklar street and the Talya Hotel) are packed full of stallholders jostling to sell you their best tasting fruit and freshest vegetables. Aromatic spices and herbs such as cinnammon, saffron, paprika and mint entice the senses.
For more stylish boutiques Antalya can offer excellent quality fashion clothes and accessories for a fraction of the price in Europe. Look no further than Ataturk Street, Konyaalti street, or the recently opened shopping mall called Migros 5M (situated on the Konyaalti Beach side of town).
Carpets and rugs are very much part of the Turkish tradition.
The Yoruks, who are semi nomadic, live throughout the winter on the plains.
They hand produce carpets using vegetable dyes and wool from their own sheep.
The design and patterns used in the carpets reflect their nomadic culture which is expressed in the harmonious use of blues, dark greens and reds. This traditional style of carpet making is concentrated in the villages around Antalya.
OLD CITY (KALEICI)
The ancient city of Antalya was protected by two walls, in the shape of a horseshoe, one running along the shoreline and the other inland. There were also walls built specifically to separate settlements from each other and watch towers were built every fifty feet or so along the outer walls. These walls date back to ancient times when the Romans built on the Hellenic foundations. Eventually these were widened and repaired by the Selchuks. Many stone blocks with ancient inscriptions were used and the walls were well protected until the 19th century. Some remains of the walls can still be seen today as well as a few turrets, Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower and the Hidirlik Tower. Nowadays the ancient city centre surrounded by sea and land walls is called the Kaleici. The streets and buildings still bear the marks of Antalya's history. The characteristics of the old houses tell not only a tale of architecture but also reflect the social lives, customs and habits of the people who dwelled in old Antalya and provide us with much valuable information about that time. The streets in the old town are narrow and slope upwards from the harbour. Some very interesting historical sites to visit within the old town are the mosque with the truncated minaret, the fluted minaret (Yivli Minare) the Keyhusrev Medrese, the Karatay Medrese, the iskele Mosque and the Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque and various old chapels especially the Church of St. George which has been beautifully restored by the Suna-Inan Kirac foundation. The presence of churches in the old town reflects the recent chequered history of the area. During the 19th century there were many inhabitants of Greek and Armenian origin who lived and traded happily alongside their Turkish counterparts. And it is this multicultural aspect of the old town that gives it its very distinctive atmosphere.
The yacht harbour and surrounds offer awe-inspiring views both day and night that have moved many a local and foreign painter, poet and writer to achieve great works.
MIGROS SHOPPING CENTER IN ANTALYA
3th Shopping center of Migros opened at 6th of June 2001.
It is located in the city center of Antalya near Konyaalti Beach, which is the most popular holiday resort of Turkey. Migros Shopping Center Antalya includes a 9000 sq m hypermarket, 96 selective stores in different sizes, an entertainment center,8 cinema and a 700 customer capacity food court.
Address:100. Yil Bulvari Arapsuyu Mevkii ANTALYA
Tel:0(242) 230 13 00
ATATURK STREET& ISIKLAR STREET
Above the Kaleici is the Old Bazar with many small shops and this is the best place to buy golden jewelry since there are many goldsmith stores. If you are more interested in clothing or leather products (like bags, belts, purses, wallets and jackets) shopping you can find this in Ataturk and Isiklar Streets. Even if you are not that much interested in shopping, if you enter one of this shops you'll soon decide to spend whole day shopping since the goods are good quality and low prices, especially the leather products.
As you are standing on modern Antalya's dual carriage way, lined with palm and orange trees, Ataturk Caddesi, while behind you is ancient Attaleia, the past and the present separated by Pamphylia's most beautiful Gate, which itself has on either side towers representing the art and civilization of two different epochs. This blending of the epochs is something peculiar to Antalya and can be often seen.
DOGU GARAJI
Serving you a textile market with its discount prices and local food and cuisine Dogu Garaji is a must to visit in Antalya. Easily reachable and affordable market can be visited all day long.
The Antalya Bus Terminal has moved out of the city and can be reached either by 'dolmus' (an inexpensive mini-van taxi) or by taxi. Ask for the Yeni Oto Bus Garaj. Buses are the most popular form of travel in Turkey and all the major bus companies operate from this terminal for long distance travel, as well as to smaller towns and villages outside Antalya. If you're going a long distance, choose a comfortable, up-market company with air-conditioned buses and plenty of leg room. The cheap and cheerful can be Hades on a hot day. Local travel is mainly by 'dolmus' or mini-bus from the municipal terminal at Dogu Garaj on Ali Cetinkaya Caddesi.
MEDRESE
For over 600 years building has been rebuilt to be a shopping center. You can taste "sherbet" special Turkish drink free when you enter. Spice shop, beauty shop, silver shop, ceramic shop, handmade Turkish embroideries, onyx and antique shop are serving for you. |
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