Kahramanmaraş is a city of roughly 550,000 people in southeastern Turkey, perched between the Taurus Mountains and the upper Euphrates plain. Famous throughout Turkey and the world for its uniquely stretchy dondurma (ice cream) and fiery Maraş pepper, the city pairs a proud culinary identity with a rich layered history — Hittite, Roman, Byzantine, Dulkadirli, and Ottoman — visible in its hilltop castle and archaeology museum. The city was at the epicentre of the devastating February 2023 earthquakes and has undergone significant reconstruction; visitors today witness both historic resilience and ambitious rebuilding alongside remaining ancient monuments.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Maraş Biber (Maraş Pepper Flakes)
Price: 100–350 TRY (~$3.03–10.60 USD) per 200–500 g vacuum pack
Where: Biber Pazarı or Kapalı Çarşı
Hand-hammered Copper Tray
Price: 400–2000 TRY (~$12–60 USD) depending on size
Where: Bakırcılar Çarşısı
Maraş Dondurma Gift Pack (vacuum-sealed)
Price: 200–450 TRY (~$6.06–13.60 USD)
Where: Trabzon Caddesi dondurma shops
Salep Powder
Price: 200–600 TRY (~$6.06–18 USD) per 200 g — genuine orchid-derived salep
Where: Aktarlar (spice shops) in bazaar
Maraş Çul (Coarse Woollen Blanket)
Price: 300–800 TRY (~$9–24 USD)
Where: Tekstilciler Çarşısı
Dried Maraş Pepper (whole)
Price: 80–200 TRY (~$2.42–6.06 USD) per 200 g string
Where: Biber Pazarı and Kapalı Çarşı
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Kapalı Çarşı
Maraş biber, copper, spices
Hours: 08:00–19:00 Mon–Sat
Biber Pazarı
Wholesale Maraş pepper
Hours: 06:00–14:00 Mon–Sat
Saturday Pazar
Village produce and textiles
Hours: 06:00–14:00 Sat