Local markets, large and small, happen in all the towns on the peninsula, the biggest being in the center of Bodrum. They are the most popular places where local colorful products are sold. Both locals and foreigners come to Bodrum in a magnificent riot of color.

Three essential elements attract crowds to the local markets: the first is organic, good village products sold by the villagers; the second is good value; and the third is the authentic atmosphere. Tourists also enjoy buying products made by village women.

Not only Bodrum residents but also Greeks coming from nearby islands such as Kos and Kalymnos come to shop in the pazaars (markets), so much so that even the names of Greeks such as Panayot, Vasilis, and Anastasia appear in the credit books of the market tradesmen.

In Bodrum and other local pazaars, hand-embroidered drapes and curtains are on sale, made in Milas using local fabrics. Clothes and decorative weavings made from batik fabrics, cotton fabrics, beach wraps, special hand-woven felt fabrics, sponges, and many different handcrafted ornaments are among just some of the products exhibited.

Handmade herbed pastries made by village women, Milas’s distinctive light brown olives, olives with oil, and cheeses made in the surrounding villages are just some of the wonderful delicacies on sale in the food section. Village cheese, tulum curd, salted and unsalted cottage cheese, several types of goat cheese, fresh and old cheddar cheeses, and feta cheese are some of the types of cheese you can find.

Oranges, mandarins, and lemons collected from the local orchards covering most of the peninsula are among the essentials in Bodrum vegetable markets.

There are so many different local herbs that you may feel a bit lost. Things such as garden tomatoes, fresh basil, rosemary, cowpea, kenker, wild radish, tangerines, orange jams, and pure olive oil are just some of the healthy produce, plus a thousand different kinds of vegetables and herbs that we have not even heard of.

Established Markets and Their Characteristics
The clothes market, which was established 20 years ago on Tuesdays, is located in the indoor area just behind the bus station in the center of Bodrum. It is the largest market area on the peninsula. From Thursday afternoon to Friday, it sells vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices.

The number of visitors to this market, which spans approximately 5 acres of land, varies according to the season. The market is home to 350 shopkeepers and 50 villagers who have stalls. In summer, this number reaches up to 3,000.

Yalıkavak Pazarı

A market has been held on Thursdays in Yalıkavak each week for 43 years. Vegetables, fruits, spices, and dried fruits grown in local gardens are sold in the market. Red tomatoes, fragrant daffodils, lush hibiscus, herbed pancakes, pastries, meters of colorful fabric, leather bags, silver jewelry, souvenirs, jugs, and tile casserole dishes are all on display.

Tourists from the neighboring Greek islands also show interest in the market, where 1,200 tradespeople from all over the country, including Aydın and Denizli, have stalls.

Turgutreis Pazarı

It’s held on Saturdays. It’s one of the largest markets in Bodrum and its surrounding area…

The marketplace, which opened in the newly constructed indoor area in recent years, is one of Bodrum’s liveliest spots.

This street, where household goods and clothing are sold, draws its colors from fabric and plastic products. Bags, towels, and throws, sold at high prices in shopping malls, are available at very reasonable prices in the Turgutreis Bazaar. Suppose you’re looking for a souvenir from your vacation. In that case, you can buy handmade lace, cross-stitch, or plain linen tablecloths, curtains, and pillowcases in all sizes and qualities at very reasonable prices.

The food aisles offer a wide variety of food products, from nuts and fruits to spices and cheese. Depending on the season, you’ll find tomatoes, colorful peppers, and even tiny, globe-shaped pumpkins you’ve never seen before. The breakfast foods sold by villagers from the local villages, as well as the gözleme (Turkish flatbread) made right on the spot, and homemade sarmas (dolma), are all delicious. On Saturdays, there is also a separate market in the city centre where haberdashery products are sold.

Bitez Pazar

Every Thursday, you can buy fruits and vegetables from the small neighborhood market in Bitez. The Bitez market offers its customers not only fresh vegetables and fruits but also clothing, household goods, and fresh dairy products. On the way from Bitez, turn towards Bitez village; it is on the left and is opposite the Health Centre and the council building.

Mumcular Pazarı

Mumcular bazaar is an Aegean market in a way we are not used to. I don’t know what time the market opens in the morning, but we usually go around 07:30 and can’t find a parking place! Sometimes we have to park a long way away. Going to the market on Sundays here is a tradition, a ritual, and it’s good to go early.

At this market, we can find local and natural products, beautiful watermelons, pink and red field tomatoes, and fresh and cut cucumbers. Everybody in the surrounding villages comes to this market, and also residents of summer houses in regions such as Güvercinlik, Tuzla, and Bargilya come. Foreign tourists can organize tours to this market by bus from surrounding towns. By the way, many of our sellers can speak English.

Milas Pazarı

It is interesting to visit the market in Milas on Tuesdays. You can immerse yourself in the village environment and discover a wide range of local products. You can buy the famous Milas rugs and carpets here at a more reasonable price.

Covers and curtains made with hand-woven Milas fabrics and colorful striped towels are among the other favorites of the market. Turkish Eye beads, jewelry, ornaments, carpets, glassware, ready-made clothing, and souvenirs are also sold in these markets.

Olive Oil from Bodrum Markets

Producers Market

The producer’s market, which aims to sell directly to the producer, is set up on Wednesdays in the central bazaar of Bodrum. Here, through the Tarko Agricultural Cooperative and Bodrum Municipality, only the producers can sell the vegetables and fruits they produce first-hand.

Second-Hand Bazaar

Bitez Second-Hand Bazaar, which was established on Sundays in the marketplace (opposite the Courthouse) in Bitez, is one of the famous markets for Bodrum residents. Hundreds of pieces from old records, clothing, pottery, and tools, which are no longer used in homes but will be helpful to someone, are offered for sale here.

The market, which opens on Sundays, has been a well-established and ongoing marketplace for years. The popularity is very high. If you’re on the way, drop by. It could be a lovely tin box or an antique household item; there’s a good chance you’ll find something that no one notices but is valuable to you. Lovely tin box or an antique household item; there’s a good chance you’ll find something that no one notices but is valuable to you.

Colorful Traditional Summer Clothes from Bodrum Markets

Hand-made artisan fabrics in many colors in Markets

In many regions we haven’t mentioned in the article, small local markets are set up on various days of the week… If you come across such markets in visible places in towns, you can have a fun time shopping there, getting to know the local fruits and vegetables, and especially tasting the wonderful fruits.

This article is taken from the book “All about the Bodrum” by Necip Damar.
Author: Necip Damar