Gaziantep, in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities and its undisputed culinary capital. Famous worldwide for its baklava, pistachios, and complex spiced dishes, the city pairs 2,000 years of history with a thriving modern food culture. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum — one of the world's great mosaic collections — anchors a city packed with Ottoman bazaars, ancient hilltop citadels, and a copper-craft tradition that dates back centuries.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Fıstıklı baklava
Price: ₺300–₺600/kg (~$9–$19 USD)
Where: İmam Çağdaş, Güllüoğlu, Parlak Baklava
Antep fıstığı (pistachios)
Price: ₺300–₺500/kg (~$9–$15.50 USD)
Where: Zincirli Bedesten, wholesale pistachio shops in bazaar
Isot biber (dried urfa chili)
Price: ₺80–₺200/500g (~$2.50–$6 USD)
Where: Spice shops in Uzun Çarşı
Hand-hammered copper tray
Price: ₺500–₺3,000 (~$15.50–$93 USD)
Where: Coppersmith Bazaar
Antep pepper paste (biber salçası)
Price: ₺100–₺300/jar (~$3–$9 USD)
Where: Bazaar shops
Handwoven kilim (rug)
Price: ₺2,000–₺20,000+ (~$62–$620 USD)
Where: Antique shops in Suburcu Mah.
Nazar boncuğu (evil eye)
Price: ₺20–₺200 (~$0.60–$6 USD)
Where: Everywhere in bazaar
Gaziantep spice blends
Price: ₺100–₺250/bag (~$3–$8 USD)
Where: Spice shops; airport duty-free
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Uzun Çarşı (Long Bazaar)
Pistachios, baklava, spices, dried fruit, olives, textiles, handicrafts
Where: Old city, running alongside the castle
Hours: Monday–Saturday 08:00–19:00; most closed Sunday
Bakırcılar Çarşısı (Coppersmith Bazaar)
Hand-hammered copper trays, ewers, coffee sets, decorative items
Where: Adjacent to Gaziantep Castle, old city
Hours: Monday–Saturday 08:30–18:30
Zincirli Bedesten (Covered Spice Market)
Isot chili, sumac, cumin, pistachio powder, Antep pepper paste
Where: Old bazaar covered market
Hours: Monday–Saturday 08:00–18:30
Saturday Market (Pazar)
Fresh produce, herbs, seasonal vegetables, cheap textiles
Where: Şehitkamil district
Hours: Saturday 06:00–14:00