This comprehensive Kemeraltı Bazaar guide will walk you through the bustling alleyways, centuries-old caravanserais, and mouth-watering street food spots that make this open-air market a must-visit destination in Türkiye.
What Makes Kemeraltı Bazaar So Special?
Stretching from the iconic Clock Tower at Konak Square all the way to Agora, Kemeraltı is one of the world’s oldest and largest open-air markets. Dating back to the 17th century, this historic bazaar has served as the commercial heart of İzmir for hundreds of years.
While wandering through its maze-like streets, you will encounter a captivating blend of the past and the present. Traditional artisans, spice merchants, jewelers, and modern boutiques all coexist side by side. Consequently, visiting the market feels like stepping into a living museum where history seamlessly meets modern daily life.
Morning and early afternoon are ideal for shopping and exploring before the midday heat.
While many larger shops accept credit cards, it is always a good idea to carry small amounts of Turkish Lira for street food vendors and small stalls.
Half of interesting shops/workshops are closed on Sundays.
First Bullet Monument
We start our Kemeraltı Bazaar Guide from Konak Square, the heart of the city. This large square is home to the Clock Tower(C), which is the symbol of Izmir, and the Konak Mosque(B), as well as the First Bullet Monument.
(A) People erected the monument for journalist Hasan Tahsin. He fired the first shot at Greek troops on May 15, 1919. Enemy soldiers martyred him right after this brave action.
Today, the monument symbolizes the strong Turkish resistance against invaders. Furthermore, historians consider this critical event the beginning of the War of Independence. Consequently, his courageous act started nationwide resistance across the country.
Konak Yalı Mosque
(B) Ayşe Hanım, the daughter of Katipzade Mehmet Pasha, built a madrasah in 1748-1749. Builders constructed Konak Mosque as the main mosque for this madrasah. Unfortunately, the madrasah, mosque yard, and epitaph did not survive to the present day.
However, Konak Mosque still displays a classic Ottoman architectural style. Indeed, it stands as an elegant structure with a single dome and a single minaret. Furthermore, master builders crafted its minaret out of cut stone on an octagonal plan.
Over time, workers repaired the building twice, in 1964 and 1997. As a result, the glazed tiles on the outer face reflect these important stages.
Clock Tower
(C)Sultan Abdulhamid II built the Clock Tower in 1901 to celebrate his 25th year on the throne. Indeed, this structure provides a significant example of the Orientalist style in Türkiye. French architect Raymond Charles Péré designed the tower. Therefore, it reflects a blend of Ottoman and Western architectural influences.
Originally, Ottoman builders adorned the windows with the sultan’s tughra in relief form. However, workers replaced these with crescent-star reliefs during the Republican period to symbolize the new era.
Meanwhile, the German Emperor Wilhelm II reputedly gave the clock on the upper section as a gift. Caretakers access the clock mechanism via a internal staircase from the ground floor room. Furthermore, someone must wind the clock every six days to maintain accurate time.
Salepcioglu Mosque
Our first stop in Kemeraltı Bazaar Guide is Salepçioğlu Mosque (D), which we will reach after a short walk.
You are now looking at Salepçioğlu Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in İzmir. The building features a striking baroque design. Patron Salepçizade Hajji Ahmet Effendi built the mosque under the supervision of Judge Mehmet Emin Effendi.
According to the epitaph on the middle door, builders started construction on October 15, 1895. They completed the project on February 20, 1906. Consequently, officials opened the mosque for worship on April 14, 1906.
Masons used smooth cut stone and white marble as main construction materials. Furthermore, lead coats the main sanctuary dome and the three smaller front domes. Master craftsmen crowned these domes with a crescent and star motif.
Additionally, the adornments inside Salepçioğlu Mosque combine Greek, Roman, and Renaissance styles together. Therefore, these decorative elements clearly reflect a strong Orientalist influence.
Food Recommendations
If you are getting hungry, it is time to try traditional Turkish cuisine. There are many restaurants near Kızlarağası but i would suggest Kısmet Lokantası(E) because you can have delicious food with great variety for great prices. You can also try Kuyum Pide(Flatbread with meat) or Köfteci Salih Usta(Meatballs). For dessert Süt Çiçeği(Very light milk dessert) or Basmane Lokmacısı(fryed dough with syrup) are tasty choices.
You can also check our Culinary Map for more delicacies to explore around town center.
Kızlarağası Inn
Our next stop will be the crown of our trip, Kızlarağası Inn(F). Kızlarağası Inn is a historic caravanserai in İzmir, Turkey, dating back to 1744. Merchants originally built the inn to accommodate travelers. Consequently, it served as a vital trade hub along the Silk Road.
Today, visitors find a bustling marketplace inside the building. Indeed, you can discover various goods here, ranging from antiques and carpets to traditional Turkish crafts.
Furthermore, the inn features well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Its lively atmosphere makes the location a significant historical and cultural landmark in İzmir.
Antiques Market & Çini Workshop
We will continue to explore the roots of these lands by visiting Kemeraltı Antique Dealers’ Bazaar (G). Indeed, this unique location serves as a key highlight in our Kemeraltı Bazaar Guide.
Inside the bazaar, you can find a wide range of products. For instance, shops offer everything from old furniture to porcelain and silver items. Moreover, collectors can discover old books, records, and antique jewelry.
Each shop functions like a small museum in itself. Therefore, every single store tells fascinating stories from past periods.
After a small walk we arrive to a wonderful Tile Workshop by Ebru Çamkıran(H).
Tile art, or “Çini,” is a significant branch of traditional Turkish ceramic art. It refers to ceramic pieces made from clay, fired, glazed, and decorated with colorful patterns. Tile art was widely used in architectural decorations, tiles, plates, and other decorative objects, especially during the Ottoman period. Geometric patterns, floral motifs, and figurative designs are characteristic features of tile art. If you are interested in workshops, there are many more around.
Agora
Our last stop will be Agora(I) with its thousands years of history.
The İzmir Agora is a historical site dating back to the 4th century BC, located in the heart of the ancient city of Smyrna. Serving as the commercial, political, and religious center of the city, the agora played a significant role during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Especially rebuilt in the 2nd century with the support of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the structure offers visitors the atmosphere of the ancient era today.
With Agora we are ending our small but -hopefully- satisfying Kemeraltı Bazaar Guide. If you need more details on Kemeraltı Bazaar on or on town center in general you should check our Guides page for detailed information on Museums, Culinary Map and Transportation Guide.