Urfa's old covered bazaar, spreading out near Balıklıgöl, is one of the most evocative traditional markets in Turkey, its vaulted lanes and stone khans little changed in feel for centuries. Coppersmiths, felt-makers, tailors, and spice sellers work their trades along dedicated alleys, and the air carries cumin, isot pepper, and roasting coffee. The centerpiece is the Gümrük Han, a 16th-century caravanserai whose shaded courtyard is packed with low stools where local men drink bitter, cardamom-scented mırra coffee and play games in a scene that feels ageless. Look for isot, the smoky Urfa pepper, along with hand-woven textiles and copperware to take home. It is a genuine working bazaar rather than a tourist bubble, so haggling is expected and warm banter goes a long way. Nearby, the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum are outstanding and well worth pairing with a market wander. Go slowly and let yourself get lost among the stalls.
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