Adana is a city of the commerce: the bazaar of the old city, the shops of the center, and the malls of the modern districts. The shopping of the city holds the goods of the south — the textiles, the copper, the spices, and the produce of the plain — and the market of the old city has served the trade of the region for the centuries. This guide maps the shopping of Adana — the streets, the goods, and the best of what to buy. Here is the shopping guide to the southern city.
The Bazaar of the Old City
The old bazaar of Adana — the lanes around the Great Clock Tower and the Ulu Cami — is the heart of the city’s commerce: the covered streets, the shops, and the trade of the south. The bazaar holds the goods of the region: the textiles, the copper, the spices, and the produce of the plain. The lanes spread through the old quarter — the jewelry street, the fabric street, and the food stalls of the market — and the tea houses of the bazaar serve the glasses of the day. The bazaar is the authentic shopping of Adana: the market of the old city, in the streets around the great tower. The visitor shops the bazaar for the atmosphere and the goods: the commerce of the south, in the lanes of the tradition.
The Copper of the City
The copper is the craft of the Adana market: the pots, the pans, and the wares of the coppersmiths. The copper workshops of the bazaar — the ateliers where the metal is worked — hold the craft of the city: the hammered pots, the trays, and the vessels of the tradition. The copper of the market is the practical and the decorative: the cookware of the tradition, and the ornaments of the craft. The connoisseur’s copper is in the quality: the weight, the hammering, and the polish of the wares. The copper of Adana is the essential purchase of the craft: the work of the city’s artisans, in the lanes of the bazaar.
The Textiles of the Region
The textiles of the region — the fabrics and the goods of the south — hold the shopping of the Adana market. The textile shops of the bazaar and the center sell the fabrics of the region: the cottons of the plain — the Çukurova is the cotton region of Turkey — the towels, the linens, and the goods of the textile trade. The souvenir textiles — the scarves, the handkerchiefs, and the small goods — make the practical gifts of the trip. And the ready-made of the city — the clothing of the Turkish market — fills the shops of the center. The textiles of Adana are the honest purchase: the goods of the region’s industry, at the prices of the market.
The Spices and the Food of the Market
The spices and the food of the market hold the tastes of the south: the spices, the dried goods, and the produce of the region. The spice stalls of the bazaar hold the colors and the scents of the trade: the red pepper of the region — the Urfa and the Maraş peppers of the south — the spices of the kebab, and the herbs of the plain. The dried goods — the bulgur, the legumes, and the grains of the region — fill the sacks of the market. And the produce of the plain — the citrus of the winter, the fruits of the summer — fills the stalls of the season. The food shopping of Adana is the taste of the south: the spices of the kebab, and the produce of the plain, bought in the market.
The Sweets of the City
The sweets of Adana are the gifts of the trip: the künefe, the pastries, and the sweets of the south. The künefe — the hot pastry of the cheese and the syrup — is the great sweet of the region, and the künefe houses of the city serve it fresh: the purchase of the hot sweet, or the boxes of the shops. The pastries of the city — the baklava and the phyllo sweets of the region — fill the pastry shops of the center. And the fruits of the plain — the citrus of the winter, the pomegranates of the autumn — make the natural gifts of the season. The sweets of Adana are the sweet shopping of the trip: the künefe of the tradition, and the pastries of the city.
The Crafts of the Market
The crafts of the Adana market — the goods of the region’s artisans — fill out the shopping. The woodwork of the region: the carved boxes, the ornaments, and the goods of the woodcarvers. The jewelry of the bazaar: the gold of the Turkish tradition, the jewelry street of the market. The evil-eye beads and the small amulets — the souvenirs of the trade — and the small crafts of the market. The craft shopping of Adana is the wandering commerce: the lanes of the artisans, the goods of the region, and the small treasures of the market.
The Modern Shopping of the Center
The modern shopping of Adana — the stores and the malls of the city — holds the contemporary commerce. The main streets of the center hold the stores of the city: the clothing, the shoes, and the goods of the fashion. The malls of the city — the shopping centers of the modern districts — hold the full retail: the international brands, the cinemas, and the food courts. The modern shopping of Adana is the air-conditioned shopping of the heat: the malls of the city, in the cool of the buildings. The visitor shops the modern city for the contemporary goods — and the malls of Adana for the full retail of the region.
The Art of the Bargaining
The bargaining is the art of the bazaar — the dance of the price that the market tradition requires. The rules of the bazaar bargaining are the simple ones: the starting price of the shop, the counter of the buyer, and the middle of the meeting. The bargaining applies to the crafts and the copper of the market; the fixed prices apply to the packaged goods and the modern stores. The visitor bargains with the respect and the humor — the process as the conversation, not the conflict — and the prices of the bazaar settle at the fair ones. The bargaining of Adana is the participation in the market’s life: the banter, the tea, and the deal — the commerce of the city, played by its rules.
The Practical Notes of the Shopping
The practical notes of the shopping keep the purchases smooth. The cash of the bazaar — the small notes — serves the market best, though the cards work in the established shops. The receipts of the larger purchases — the guarantees and the certificates of the quality — protect the buyer. The shipping of the bulky goods — the copper and the large items — arranges through the shops or the couriers. And the customs of the home countries — the allowances and the limits of the luggage — govern the quantities. The visitor shops with the plan: the gifts list, the budget, and the space of the luggage — the purchases of the city, carried home without the trouble.
The Rhythm of the Shopping
There is a rhythm to the shopping in Adana that the market sets. The morning belongs to the bazaar — the lanes of the old city in the early hours, before the heat and the crowds. The midday belongs to the shade and the modern — the malls and the air-conditioned stores, in the hours of the sun. And the evening belongs to the river — the promenades and the night markets of the season. The visitor follows the rhythm: the copper in the morning, the malls at midday, and the river in the evening. The shopping of Adana becomes part of the city’s experience — the commerce of the southern capital, in the market that has served it for the centuries.
Frequently asked questions
What is Adana famous for shopping?
Adana is famous for its bazaar — the market of the old city around the Great Clock Tower — and for its copper, its textiles, its spices, and its sweets. The shopping of the city holds the goods of the south, from the crafts of the bazaar to the malls of the modern city.
What should I buy in Adana?
The essential purchases are: the copper of the bazaar, the spices of the south, the textiles of the region, and the sweets of the city — the künefe and the pastries. The produce of the plain — the citrus of the winter and the fruits of the summer — makes the seasonal shopping.
Is bargaining expected in Adana?
The bargaining is the tradition of the bazaar — the art of the price in the market of the crafts and the copper. The packaged goods and the modern stores hold the fixed prices. The bargaining of Adana is the conversation of the commerce, played with the respect and the humor.
All Over Information
The All Over Information editorial team researches and writes practical English-language guides to Turkey. Facts are checked against official and local sources before publication, prices are published as dated ranges rather than quotes, and guides are revised when things change. We accept no sponsored posts, paid placements or paid links.
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