FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Turkey > Ankara

Local time Ankara

Currency

YTL

Shopping in Ankara

Ankara offers shoppers plenty of choice, from fancy boutiques, supermarkets and department stores to street vendors and weekly bazaars.

Key areas

Kızılay, considered the heart of the city, is easily the city's most crowded shopping area, with bookstores, clothes stores and bustling small arcades. Ulus, the old shopping district, boasts an eclectic mishmash of dirt-cheap shops in its narrow streets as well as vendors selling jewellery, carpets, costumes, textiles and embroidery. For upscale shopping, check out Arjantin Caddesi in GaziosmanpaşŸa, a retail zone aimed squarely at Ankara's well-heeled with its stylish cafés and restaurants, delicatessens, jewellery stores and designer boutiques.

Markets

You can snap up second-hand books and bric-a-brac bargains in and around Sakarya Caddesi, but if it's fine antiques and exquisite copperware you're after, browse the emporiums and collectable stores of Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu, near Ulus. Many of the dealers also ply their wares at the weekly Antika Pazari antique market, held in Ayranci on the first Sunday every month.

Shopping centres

For clothing, electronics and perfume, head to one of Ankara's many modern shopping malls. Wedged between the Sheraton and the Hilton hotels, The Karum Is Merkezi is renowned for its upscale designer boutiques and chichi stores. The huge ANKAmall, near the Crowne Plaza hotel, is home to Turkish and international brands, including Benetton, H&M and Mango.

Opening hours

Standard hours are Monday to Saturday 0900-2000, although Ankara's largest malls often stay open later.

Souvenirs

Traditional souvenirs include handwoven carpets and jewellery.

Tax information

Value-added tax (KDV in Turkish) is usually already included on most items. Foreign passport holders are exempt on goods costing more than YTL100 in the specially designated tourist shops, and should present invoices at customs for refunds at the airport. You should always make sure you get an invoice for antiques, as the penalty for smuggling antiquities is very high, and customs officials are often poorly informed as to what constitutes an antique.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Sheraton Ankara Towers

This prominent landmark hotel soars high above the central city and offers unrivalled views of Ankara's bustling Kavaklıdere district. Rooms are classically styled in earthy tones and come with full modern amenities, while the hotel has bars and restaurants, a pool and fitness centre.

Otel Mithat

Neat and tidy (though small) rooms, friendly staff who speak some English and a central location are the major bonuses at this downtown Ulus hotel, just off the main road. The included breakfast is very good and unlike a lot of hotels in the Ulus district, rooms aren't too noisy.

Murat Bey Konağı

Nestled amongst the alleyways of the citadel district, this charming small hotel delivers oodles of cosy appeal, wrapped up in a restored, wooden Ottoman mansion. The outdoor courtyard is a tranquil escape from the city, while the smallish rooms have original Ottoman features but are decorated in a modern style.

Grand Sera Hotel

This is a solid budget choice in downtown Ulus which punches above its weight, offering decent-sized rooms freshly decorated in light colours, comfortable beds and modern amenities. Staff don't speak much English but are very friendly and helpful.

Hotel Abro

For a mid-range, comfortable option, this place takes some beating. Highly popular with both business and leisure travellers, Abro's minimalist-style, spacious rooms are fitted out with modern amenities and are in a prime Kızılay location, close to Ankara's vibrant cafe and restaurant scene.

Divan Çukurhan

One of Ankara's most atmospheric hotels, this luxury property is set inside the restored Çukurhan caravanserai building which dates back to the 16th century. Rooms boldly fuse Turkish and Asian decoration with contemporary, colourful design, while the central courtyard holds onto its historic features but has a glass roof.