Amasya is a historic city and province in north-central Turkey, set in a dramatic gorge on the Yeşilırmak river beneath the rocky heights of Mount Harşena. Known as the Şehzadeler Şehri, or City of Princes, where Ottoman heirs trained as provincial governors, Amasya is famous for its Pontic royal rock tombs carved into the cliffs, its riverside Ottoman timber mansions, and its sweet apples. The birthplace of the ancient geographer Strabo, it blends Hellenistic, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman heritage in one of Turkey's most scenic provincial towns.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Amasya Misket Apple Products
The Amasya Misket apple — small, striped, and intensely sweet — is the city's most famous product. Buy fresh apples from the bazaar in season (August–November), or apple jam (elma reçeli), apple vinegar, apple tea, and dried apple chips year-round.
Price: ₺50–200 (approx $1–4.50) for jams and packaged products
Where: Amasya Kapalı Çarşı; bazaar produce stalls; Apple Garden Cafe
Amasya Çöreği (Anise Ring Bread)
The anise-scented ring bread unique to Amasya, sold vacuum-packed in the bazaar to take home as a gift.
Price: ₺30–80 (approx $0.70–1.80) per ring
Where: Bakeries in the Kapalı Çarşı and on Atatürk Caddesi
Handmade Copper and Brassware
Traditionally crafted copper bowls, trays, coffee pots (cezve), and decorative plates — a centuries-old Amasya craft. Look for the coppersmiths (bakırcı) in the bazaar quarter.
Price: ₺150–1,500 (approx $3.30–33) depending on size and work
Where: Old bazaar workshops near the Taşhan; Yalıboyu craft shops
Local Honey
Black Sea floral honey and chestnut honey (kestane balı) from the province's mountain villages, sold in sealed jars at the bazaar.
Price: ₺150–400 (approx $3.30–8.70) per jar
Where: Bazaar produce stalls; Friday market
Kilims and Handwoven Textiles
Small kilim rugs, woven cushion covers, and embroidered table runners from the Amasya region, sold in craft shops along the Yalıboyu promenade.
Price: ₺300–3,000+ (approx $6.50–66+) for kilims
Where: Yalıboyu craft shops; bazaar
Ottoman-Style Ceramics
Hand-painted ceramic plates, tiles, and bowls with Iznik-inspired patterns, produced and sold in tourist-oriented craft shops.
Price: ₺100–800 (approx $2.20–17)
Where: Yalıboyu craft shops; bazaar
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Amasya Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
Apple products, copperware, local spices, dried fruits, çöreği bread
Where: Old town, near Taşhan
Hours: Monday–Saturday 08:00–19:00
Friday Weekly Pazar
Seasonal produce, local dairy (cheese, butter), olives, nuts, budget clothing
Where: Central open-air market area
Hours: Friday 07:00–16:00
Yalıboyu Craft and Souvenir Row
Handmade copper trays, kilims, miniature Ottoman houses, locally painted ceramics
Where: Yalıboyu north bank, Hatuniye Mahallesi
Hours: Daily 09:00–20:00 (in season, April–October)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Amasya Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
The historic covered market in the old town, centred on Atatürk Caddesi near the Taşhan, is the heart of shopping in Amasya. Stalls sell local produce, Amasya apple products, spices, copperware, textiles, and the emblematic Amasya çöreği ring bread.
Atatürk Caddesi and Surroundings
The main commercial street running through the city centre has a mix of small shops, jewellers, clothing boutiques, and modern chain stores alongside traditional tradespeople.
Yalıboyu Craft Shops
A handful of artisan and souvenir shops line the north-bank promenade near the Hazeranlar Konağı, selling handmade crafts, copper items, kilims, and locally themed gifts for tourists.
Friday Pazar (Weekly Market)
The large weekly open-air market held on Fridays brings together farmers, textile merchants, and household-goods sellers from across the province.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Amasya Forum (small shopping centre)
Hours: Daily 10:00–22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is normal and expected in the bazaar for carpets, kilims, copper items, and some souvenir goods — not for food, fixed-price shops, or modern retail
Start at 50–60% of the asking price and negotiate toward a meeting point; the process is friendly, not confrontational
Always inspect the item carefully before agreeing a price; quality varies widely in the bazaar
Accepting tea during negotiations does not oblige a purchase — enjoy it and walk away politely if the price is not right
For food items such as apple products and çöreği, prices are usually fixed and fair; there is no reason to bargain
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Tea as social ritual
- Detail
- Shopkeepers in the bazaar will offer çay (tea) as a matter of course. Accepting is polite and is not a commitment to buy. The ritual is a genuine part of Anatolian commercial culture.
- Custom
- No-pressure browsing
- Detail
- Unlike in some tourist markets, Amasya's bazaar is largely pressure-free. Shopkeepers greet visitors warmly but seldom pursue them. Take time to browse without obligation.
- Custom
- Cash is king
- Detail
- Market stalls, small bazaar shops, and bakers accept only cash. Bring Turkish lira; ATMs are available on Atatürk Caddesi. Larger gift shops and the hotel boutiques accept cards.