As an important port on the Aegean coast, Izmir has always been an influential trading center throughout history, so it's no surprise that the city is home to one of the most impressive covered bazaars in the world.
Everyone knows about the Big Bazaar in the Stambul, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, but right on the Aegean coast, Izmir also has its own historic open-air marketplace that has continued to function for centuries.
Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, has been an important Aegean port since ancient times, when it was the Greek settlement of Smyrna. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, with Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Jewish, and Levantine communities having inhabited the area for centuries. Izmir is undoubtedly the beating heart of western Turkey and its trade. Situated as one of the most important ports during the Ottoman Empire, the city attracted merchants from all over the world.
The historic Kemeraltı Bazaar (meaning "under the arch" in English) is a labyrinth of narrow alleys and streets stretching from Konak Square in the city center to the ancient Agora. Built in the 17th century, Kemeraltı is home to shops, eateries, craft workshops, mosques, coffee houses, tea gardens, and synagogues.
Although the bazaar is one of the busiest spots in this Aegean city, Kemeraltı began as just a small Ottoman marketplace, complete with vaulted ceilings, from which it took its name. Over time, first thanks to traders arriving from France and England, and then from mainland Greece and the islands, the bazaar grew to become Izmir's commercial center.
The market was first built by the Ottomans in the second half of the 17th century as a safe haven for merchants and travelers, a place to spend the night and trade. As interest grew, it developed into a commercial center and food market, with old inns and small bazaars. The market featured blacksmiths, charcoal burners, and spice and herb shops that doubled as pharmacies. By the early 20th century, the bazaar began to lose its charm. The inns and caravanserais began to close, and Kemeraltı became just another permanent trading center for the city.
Today, Kemeraltı is home to many modern shops, business centers, cinemas, and offices. However, the old buildings certainly haven't lost their glory. For example, the Kızlarağası Inn, once home to visitors from all over the world, is now a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the best Turkish coffee in the city.
The bazaar is also a magnet for modern shopaholics, as everyone can find something to suit their taste: from fashionable jewelry to the city's best spices, clothing, kitchenware, and food, Kemeralti has it all.
If you want to travel back in time to see what shopping was like three centuries ago, be sure to get the full jewelry experience when you are in Izmir.
Access to the bazaar is very easy because it's located in Konak, which is considered the heart of İzmir. Access from Konak is via the roads behind the Clock Tower. You can enter Kemeraltı from many other locations. For example, you can reach the historic bazaar by getting off at Konak or Çankaya stations via the İzmir Metro. You can get off at Halkapınar Station via İzban, then reach Kemeraltı via İzmir Metro from the same stations.
All public transportation to Konak or Çankaya will take you to the historic Kemeraltı Bazaar. It's important to note that passengers wishing to use Izmir's public transportation must have an Izmir Card.
