Kemeralti Bazaar

A Maze Of Lanes With An Ottoman Caravanserai (Kizlaragasi Han), Mosques, A Synagogue, A Coffee And Spice Trade, Tailors And Street Food, In The Oldest Commercial District Of Izmir. A Lively Place To Eat, Shop And Wander In A Working Neighbourhood, Busiest On Saturdays And Quietest On Sundays · Konak, Izmir

Kemeralti is the old bazaar district of Izmir, a maze of lanes between Konak Square and the Basmane railway station that has been the commercial heart of the city for centuries. Behind the clock tower and the Konak waterfront, the lanes open into streets of tailors, spice and coffee sellers, shoe makers, jewellers and fabric shops, with an Ottoman caravanserai, the Kizlaragasi Han, whose courtyard holds cafes and craft stalls, and the large Hisar Mosque at the entrance. Smaller mosques and old synagogues stand within a few blocks, and the Agora of ancient Smyrna lies close to the western edge. Kemeralti is a working neighbourhood rather than a museum, so it is best for eating, wandering and shopping among locals. Look for boyoz pastries, stuffed mussels, lokma and strong coffee, expect noise and crowds on Saturdays, and plan on quieter lanes on Sunday when many shops close. Confirm hours before a visit.

Kemeralti, the old bazaar district of Izmir between Konak Square and the Basmane railway station, with Hisar Mosque and the Kizlaragasi Han; coordinates approximate, Konak, Izmir, Turkiye

Kemeralti is an open district, so the main lanes can be walked at any hour, though most shops open from about 09:00 or 09:30 and close by 19:00 or 20:00, and many close on Sundays (confirm). Cafes and food stalls open early for breakfast and stay open into the evening. Han courtyards and mosque visits keep their own times, and the mosques close to visitors during prayer. Saturday is the busiest day, with weekday mornings calmer. Evenings are dim and quiet once the shutters come down, so most visitors leave before dusk. Confirm hours for the shops you plan to visit.

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