Izmir's shopping scene is fun and vibrant with a variety of shopping options to choose from; from trendy boutiques, to open-air markets and the winding streets of Izmir's old district. Our Izmir and Ephesus Shopping Guide provides some great Izmir shopping and souvenir information, along with contact details for a number of local retailers. Grab a bite to eat at one of the Izmir restaurants that adorn the shopping streets. Check out our Turkey Shopping Guide for shopping details across the country.

Izmir and Ephesus Shopping Guide

Shopping Centres

Konak Pier is a small mall on the Kordon Promenade. It has a cinema and stores that sell both local and other brands. The Forum in Bornova is a huge mall. It has a supermarket and stores that sell all brands.

Kemeralti Bazaar

This market with its nineteenth century atmosphere is a bustling centre of commercial activity. Old briquettes, low ceilings, pull down shutters, and door thresholds on the buildings all remind one of an older era. Kemeraltý Bazaar is the most important centre of commerce now. Ancient shops, modern business centres, cafés, stores, and cinemas all conduct their businesses side by side here.

Anafartalar Caddesi is lined with bronzed workers, fishermen, and noisy street vendors. The street vendors sell clothes, antiques, interesting jewellery, dried figs, and raisins, the last two being Izmir's famous products. Fevzipasa Bulvari is well known for its leather goods. The Kordon Promenades in Passport, Karsiyaka, Alsancak, and Cumhuriyet Avenue have the most sophisticated and modern shopping opportunities.

Also available in the market in Izmir are the local fish specialities of çipura, trance, and two varieties of sea bream. They are served in the many seafood restaurants here.

Izlaragasi Han

This popular market is housed in a building that effectively showcases the architectural style of the eighteenth century Ottoman Empire, making it a great place to shop in Izmir. Lovely pieces of ceramic ware, silver jewellery, traditional gifts, souvenirs, and carpets are the best selling products here. A refreshing cup of Turkish coffee at the cafés in the building provides a welcome break while shopping.

Open Air Markets

Particular days of the week in Izmir are open-air market days. The open-air market culture in Bodrun and its surroundings is so well known that many tourists plan their holiday in Izmir around market days. The markets sell a large variety of things, from fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices, olives, milk products, cheeses, and olive oil to fabrics, clothes, shoes and plastic homeware.

Izmir and Ephesus Souvenirs

Lokum

This sweet Turkish delight makes for a wonderful gift or souvenir. It is available in many tastes and sizes. The boxes are a great way to gift them. Just three simple ingredients - starch, water and sugar - are used to make lokums but what a delight they are! Turkish coffee is often accompanied by a serving of lokum in many cafés.

Jewellery

The narrow streets leading to the harbour are dotted with jewellery shops that mostly sell gold and silver jewellery. The jewellery in these Izmir shops is of excellent quality and there is a lot of variety. The jewellers can usually speak many languages and are very polite. However, be ready to haggle. Without some good natured bargaining, you may end up paying quite a lot.

Evil Eye Beads

Evil eye jewellery is very common and popular in both Turkey and Greece. Bracelets, necklaces, and rings are made of white, yellow, and blue beads. These colourful trinkets that are believed to protect people from the evil eye are affordable enough to be gifted to everyone back home! On walls, on babies, this popular symbol is visible everywhere.

According to local belief, the good fortune of people can evoke so much envy in some people that all the good fortune turns to misfortune. Just the hateful gaze of an envious person is believed to be enough to bestow a curse on the victim. The more common belief is that the envious person casts the evil eye quite unintentionally. Whether you believe the sentiment or nor, evil eye jewellery makes for a great Izmir and Ephesus souvenir.