Aksaray is a province in Central Anatolia (İç Anadolu), Turkey, on the southwestern edge of the Cappadocia region. It is best known for the Ihlara Valley, a 14-kilometre canyon lined with Byzantine rock-cut churches and frescoes, the towering Selime Monastery, and the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, the largest Seljuk han in Turkey. With the volcanic cone of Hasan Mountain on the horizon, the salt expanse of Lake Tuz to the north, and Göreme roughly an hour east, Aksaray serves as an uncrowded gateway to Cappadocia.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lake Tuz salt — coarse mineral salt harvested from Tuz Gölü, sold in small sacks at the pazar and market stalls; ₺20-60 (≈$0.44-1.30) per 500g
Nazar boncuğu (evil eye bead) — blue-and-white glass amulets in all sizes; ₺20-150 (≈$0.44-3.30) from market stalls
Tarhana — a dried fermented soup paste made from yoghurt and wheat, a traditional Central Anatolian pantry staple; ₺50-150 (≈$1.10-3.30) per 500g from the Saturday market
Aksaray honey (bala) — high-plateau wildflower and thyme honey from beekeepers around Hasan Mountain; ₺150-400 (≈$3.30-8.70) per jar from village markets
Hand-woven kilim bags and cushion covers — available from Güzelyurt craft shops and occasional market stalls; ₺200-800 (≈$4.35-17) depending on size
Marble and onyx items — carving workshops near the Ihlara Valley entrance sell bowls, vases, and decorative pieces; ₺100-600 (≈$2.20-13)
Local spice mixes (baharat) — cumin, sumac, isot (dried pepper), and tarhana spice blends from the covered bazaar; ₺30-80 (≈$0.65-1.75) per 100g
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Aksaray Pazar (Saturday Market)
Fresh produce, village cheese, butter, tarhana, dried vegetables
Where: Aksaray City Centre
Hours: Saturday 07:00-16:00
Aksaray Kapalıçarşı
Fabrics, housewares, spices, dried goods, prayer beads, and leather goods
Where: Aksaray City Centre
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:30-19:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Aksaray Kapalıçarşı (Covered Bazaar)
The historic covered market in central Aksaray, concentrated around Camikebir Mahallesi, selling fabrics, shoes, hardware, and household goods alongside dried foods and local spices
Bankalar Caddesi
Aksaray's main commercial street with clothing shops, bakeries, jewellers, and electronics stores; most concentrated in the Zafer and Camikebir districts
Pazar (Saturday Market, Aksaray)
Open-air weekly market held every Saturday near the city centre, offering fresh produce, village cheese, dried herbs, tarhana, and seasonal vegetables from surrounding villages
Güzelyurt Village Market
Small daily-goods market in Güzelyurt town centre; locally made jams, honey, and dried herbs available from cottage producers
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Aksaray Optimum AVM
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Fixed prices are standard in shops, restaurants, and covered market stalls — do not bargain at the counter
In the Saturday open-air market, gentle negotiation is acceptable when buying multiple items from the same stall, especially for produce
Negotiate taxi prices before getting in for non-metered rural journeys; agree clearly and confirm the currency (TRY)
Artisan workshops selling kilims, ceramics, or marble may accept modest negotiation for larger purchases
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Market etiquette
- Rule
- Greet stallholders with 'Merhaba' before handling produce; always ask price first (Ne kadar?)
- Custom
- Bargaining
- Rule
- Acceptable in open-air markets for produce; not expected in shops or restaurants
- Custom
- Payment
- Rule
- Cash (Turkish Lira) is essential at the pazar and village stalls; city shops accept cards; village markets do not