Beypazarı is one of Turkey's best-preserved Ottoman towns, set in a valley 100 km northwest of Ankara. The town is famous for its magnificent 19th-century Ottoman mansions (konak), silver jewellery workshops, dried carrot sweets (a local speciality), and bustling weekly market (Tuesdays). Narrow cobbled lanes wind between overhanging wooden-balconied houses. A completely authentic Turkish provincial town.
Beypazarı sits in a deep valley 100 kilometres northwest of Ankara, a 1.5-hour journey by bus from AŞTİ terminal or by car along the D.200 highway. It is one of Turkey's finest surviving Ottoman provincial towns, where more than 600 original 19th-century mansions — many with overhanging upper floors, ornate wooden balconies, and carved stone ground floors — line narrow cobbled lanes winding through the old quarter known as the Dutlu and Keçeciler districts.
The town rewards slow, exploratory walking. Silver jewellery is Beypazarı's most celebrated craft, produced in small workshops throughout the bazaar district; pieces tend to be heavier and more intricate than typical tourist silver, reflecting a genuine local tradition that has persisted for generations. The weekly Tuesday market (Salı Pazarı) draws villagers from across the region with fresh produce, textiles, and local foods, and represents the most lively day to visit for anyone interested in authentic rural Turkish commerce.
Beypazarı's signature food product is dried carrot sweet (havuç lokumu) — a dense, chewy confection made from the local carrot variety and coated in sugar. Sold in almost every shop, it makes an excellent and distinctive edible souvenir. The town also produces well-regarded sourdough bread (Beypazarı ekmeği) baked in wood-fired ovens; bakeries open from early morning. The Beypazarı Museum of Ethnography, housed in a restored Ottoman mansion, displays rural household artefacts and regional costume.
A suggested day itinerary from Ankara begins with a 09:00 bus from AŞTİ, arriving in Beypazarı by 10:30. Morning is ideal for walking the mansion streets of the old quarter and visiting the Ethnography Museum before midday heat sets in. Lunch at a traditional lokanta in the bazaar area is inexpensive — a full meal costs under 200 TRY. The afternoon is well spent browsing jewellery workshops, the market (on Tuesdays), or sitting at a çay bahçesi (tea garden) overlooking the valley. Return buses to Ankara depart until early evening. Visitors with a rental car can combine Beypazarı with a morning visit to Gordion, making a single efficient loop from the capital.
Highlights
- Ottoman mansion streetscapes
- Silver jewellery workshops
- Tuesday market (Salı Pazarı)
- Dried carrot sweets (havuç lokumu)
- Beypazarı Museum of Ethnography
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a Tuesday for the market. Try the carrot sweets (havuç lokumu) and Beypazarı bread. Silver jewellery is good value.
When to visit
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal for Beypazarı, when temperatures are comfortable for walking the cobbled streets and the valley landscape is photogenic. Visiting on a Tuesday adds the weekly market year-round. Summer is warm but the narrow lanes of the old quarter provide shade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tuesday the only good day to visit Beypazarı?
No — the Ottoman mansion district and silver workshops are open daily. However, the Tuesday weekly market (Salı Pazarı) adds considerable energy to the bazaar area and is worth arranging the visit around if schedules allow.
Where do buses to Beypazarı depart from in Ankara?
Buses to Beypazarı depart from AŞTİ, Ankara's main intercity bus terminal, roughly every hour throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes and costs around 80–100 TRY one way.
What are the best things to buy in Beypazarı?
The most popular purchases are silver jewellery (heavy traditional designs at competitive prices), dried carrot sweets (havuç lokumu), and locally baked sourdough bread. Copper goods and hand-woven textiles are also available in the bazaar.
Is Beypazarı suitable for families with children?
Yes. The historic core is largely car-free and easy to navigate on foot. The market day provides engaging variety and the town's relaxed pace suits families. There are no dedicated children's attractions, but the scale of the old quarter is manageable for younger visitors.