Let’s be honest. While the history of Perge and the waterfalls are stunning, half the fun of a holiday in Turkey is the shopping. And we aren't talking about H&M or Zara. We are talking about the famous "Genuine Fakes," the bustling weekly bazaars, and the thrill of the haggle.
If you are coming to Antalya or Lara Beach in 2026 with an empty suitcase hoping to fill it with designer-lookalike hoodies, handbags, and trainers, you are in the right place. But the prices have changed, and the sellers are smarter than ever.
Here is your no-nonsense guide to navigating the shopping scene in Antalya this year.
Where to Go: The Best Markets & Bazaars
Antalya has two faces: the glossy shopping malls (like TerraCity or Mall of Antalya) where prices are fixed, and the chaotic, colorful bazaars where cash is king.
The Manavgat Grand Bazaar
If you are staying near Side or Belek, this is the big one. It’s huge, covered, and intense.
Best for: Clothes, spices, and endless rows of "designer" bags. Vibe: Loud and crowded. Expect to be called "Del Boy" or "Lovely Jubbly" at least ten times.
Antalya Old Bazaar (Iki Kapili Han)
Located just north of the historic Kaleiçi (Old Town), this is a more traditional experience. It’s slightly more expensive than the weekly markets, but the quality of goods—especially leather and jewelry—tends to be higher.
Best for: Gold, silver, leather jackets, and higher-quality souvenirs.
The Weekly Street Markets
Every district has a market day. In Lara, it’s usually Saturdays. In Antalya Center, different neighborhoods have different days. These are where the locals shop for fruit and veg, but you'll find plenty of tourist stalls too. Prices here are often lower than in the purpose-built tourist bazaars.
The "Genuine Fakes": What to Look For
You will see them everywhere: "Adibas," "Gucci," "North Face." In 2026, the quality of replicas in Turkey has actually gone up, but you need to know what you are looking at.
Textiles (T-Shirts, Hoodies, Football Kits)
Check the material. Don't just look at the logo. Feel the cotton. Is it thick? Is the stitching straight?
Price Guide: A decent quality replica football kit (shirt + shorts) should set you back around £10 - £15. If they ask for £30, walk away. Tip: Turkish cotton is world-famous. Often, the unbranded t-shirts are better quality than the ones with a giant logo plastered on them.
Handbags and Shoes
This is tricky. You will see three tiers of quality:
- The "Market Special": Cheap plastic, smells like glue. Avoid.
- The "A Class": Good stitching, leather-look, decent hardware. Good for everyday use.
- The "Mirror Quality": Often kept in the "back room" of the shop. Real leather, heavy hardware, indistinguishable from the real thing. These can cost £100+.
The Art of Haggling: How to Play the Game
British people are generally terrible at haggling. We feel rude doing it. But in Turkey, if you pay the first price, you are insulting your wallet.
The 4-Step Strategy
- Look Uninterested: Never show how much you love that item. Pick it up, look at it, put it back down.
- The Calculator Dance: The seller will type a price on a calculator. It will be high.
- The Counter Offer: Offer 50% of what they typed. They will laugh, pretend to be offended, and type a new number.
- Meet in the Middle: Your goal is to pay about 60-70% of the opening price. If they don't agree, walk away slowly. 9 times out of 10, they will call you back.
Golden Rule: If you are buying multiple items (e.g., 3 t-shirts and a bag), you have much more power to get a discount.
Beyond the Fakes: What Else to Buy?
If you want something authentic to take home, look past the neon Nike signs.
Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Don't buy the pre-boxed stuff at the airport. Go to a spice shop in the bazaar where they let you taste it fresh. The ones with double-roasted pistachios or pomegranate are incredible.
Leather Goods
Turkey is a massive producer of leather. You can get a genuine, buttery-soft leather jacket in Antalya for a fraction of the price in the UK. We are talking £80 - £150 for a jacket that would cost £400+ on the high street.
Practical Tips for 2026
- Currency: Traders love Sterling (GBP). You often get a better deal paying in cash Pounds than using a card. However, for small items (water, bus fare, an apple), always use Turkish Lira.
- Scams: Be careful with "perfume sellers" on the street. It’s often colored water. Stick to the shops.
- Space: Remember your luggage allowance! It’s easy to get carried away, but easyJet and Jet2 won’t be as forgiving as the shopkeepers.
Happy shopping!