Why to visit Arasta Bazaar
This is the best place to go if you're seeking for pottery, especially hand-painted Iznik tiles (in both traditional and contemporary patterns). There are various shops here that sell a wide variety of ceramics. The Arasta Bazaar is a laid-back and easier alternative to shopping for Turkish handicrafts than the Grand Bazaar because it is smaller, less congested, and open-air. It's also one of the greatest places to come to get your buying bearings and see what kind of crafts are available, similar to the Grand Bazaar.
This shopping arcade was once part of the mosque complex and would have generated revenue to the mosque. Today, the stores here are solely dedicated to the tourism industry, with a focus on ceramics and textiles.
After leaving the Arasta Bazaar, make a point of exploring the mountainous cobblestone roads that radiate out behind it. This region is home to a number of high-end textile emporiums specialising in Turkish and Central Asian carpets, kilims, and felt work.
