Inside and around the Ankara Citadel walls, a cluster of small shops sells carpets, kilims, copper goods, silver jewellery, ceramics, evil eye amulets, traditional clothing, and antiques. Bargaining expected.
Ankara Citadel Bazaar occupies the medieval lanes and courtyards running through and beneath the ancient limestone walls of the Ankara Citadel, located in the Altındağ district. The bazaar cluster comprises dozens of small family-run shops set within converted Byzantine and Ottoman structures, giving the shopping area an atmospheric character entirely distinct from modern retail environments. Goods available include hand-knotted Central Anatolian carpets and kilims in a wide range of sizes, hand-hammered copper trays, pitchers, and samovars, silver filigree jewellery, hand-painted Kütahya ceramics, glass evil eye amulets (nazar boncuğu), traditional embroidered clothing, leather goods, and antique metalwork. The quality of goods varies considerably from stall to stall: dedicated carpet dealers often carry authentic vintage kilims alongside mass-produced tourist rugs, and discerning buyers are advised to examine knot density and dye quality carefully. Bargaining is fully expected and integral to the shopping culture here; opening prices are typically set 30–50 percent above the seller's minimum, and polite negotiation over tea is standard protocol. Most vendors operate on a cash-only basis in Turkish lira, although some larger carpet and jewellery shops accept credit cards and may offer a VAT refund form (KDV iade) for purchases over a set threshold. Compared with Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, the Citadel Bazaar sees considerably lower tourist footfall, which means less aggressive hawking and more room to browse comfortably. The bazaar is open daily from approximately 09:00 to 19:00, though some antique sellers keep shorter hours. The inner citadel lane closest to the Şark Kahvesi café and the direction of Aslanhane Mosque concentrates the highest-quality copper and carpet vendors. Food options within the bazaar itself are sparse, but several traditional tea houses and lokanta restaurants serving pide, soup, and Ankara tava (lamb casserole) operate inside the citadel perimeter. Parking is limited in the narrow Altındağ streets; arriving by taxi or using the Ulus-area bus stops is recommended. The bazaar is reachable on foot from Ulus Square in approximately 15 minutes uphill.
Good to know
- Best for
- Carpets and kilims, Copper craft, Silver jewellery, Ceramics, Souvenirs, Antiques
Highlights
- Hand-knotted Central Anatolian carpets and kilims from multiple regional weaving traditions
- Hand-hammered copper trays, pitchers, and samovars crafted by local artisans
- Silver filigree jewellery and nazar boncuğu amulets alongside hand-painted Kütahya ceramics
- Atmospheric medieval stone lanes set within the Byzantine-era Ankara Citadel walls
- Antique Ottoman metalwork and embroidered textiles at negotiable prices
Tips for visiting
- Arrive on weekday mornings to browse with fewer visitors and more attentive service from sellers
- Bargain on carpets, copper, and jewellery — open with half the asking price and expect to settle around 30 percent below
- Carry Turkish lira in cash; card machines are rare and exchange rates offered on-site are unfavourable
- Examine carpet knot density and check for natural versus synthetic dyes before committing to a purchase
- Combine with the adjacent Aslanhane Mosque and the Roman Column of Julian — both are a short walk inside the citadel
Frequently asked questions
Is bargaining expected at the Citadel Bazaar?
Yes, bargaining is standard practice for carpets, copper, jewellery, and most craft goods. Sellers set opening prices with negotiation in mind. Antique shops may be slightly less flexible, but polite offers are still welcomed.
Can visitors get a VAT refund on purchases?
Some larger shops issue VAT refund forms (KDV iade) for purchases above a minimum threshold by non-EU residents. Ask the seller before paying; not every stall participates in the scheme.
What is the difference between kilims and carpets sold here?
Kilims are flat-woven rugs with no pile, typically lighter and more affordable than hand-knotted pile carpets. Both are available, and sellers can explain regional weaving origins including Konya, Kayseri, and Hereke styles.
Are there food options inside the bazaar?
The bazaar itself has limited food vendors, mainly tea sellers. Several lokanta restaurants and traditional tea houses serving Ankara-style dishes operate inside the citadel compound within a five-minute walk.