Trabzon Bazaar Guide: From Kunduracılar to the Bedesten

Almost everyone who visits Trabzon spends at least half a day in the city centre, either before or after the highlands and Uzungöl. At the heart of that half day is the Trabzon bazaar: Kunduracılar Street stretching west from Meydan, Uzun Sokak running parallel to it, and the area around the Bedesten, where trade has thrived for centuries. In this guide, we cover what you'll find where, which products are genuinely local, how much time to set aside for shopping, and the most common mistakes visitors make. At the end, you'll also find tips on fitting the bazaar into your tour itinerary for a relaxed, unhurried city break.

Where Does the Trabzon Bazaar Begin and End?

When locals say they're "going down to the bazaar," they don't mean a single street but an entire shopping district stretching between Meydan Park and the seaside Çarşı neighbourhood. You can roughly divide it into three parts:

• Meydan and its surroundings: The eastern end of the bazaar. Here you'll find cafés, patisseries, bank branches and the park that serves as a popular meeting point.
• Kunduracılar Street and Uzun Sokak: The two main arteries running west from Meydan. One stands out for its more modern shops, the other for its old stone façades and local tradespeople.
• Çarşı Neighbourhood: The historic trading quarter, home to the Çarşı Mosque and the Bedesten, where wholesalers, spice sellers and nut shops are concentrated.

Strolling from Meydan to the Bedesten at a leisurely pace, browsing the shop windows, takes about 15–20 minutes. The area has been the city's commercial hub throughout history: the market area on the harbour side, outside the walls in the Komnenos era, grew with inns and the bedesten during the Ottoman period. Today, the layout of the streets you walk along still follows these old trade routes.

Kunduracılar Street and Uzun Sokak: What's the Difference?

Most first-time visitors mix up the two streets. In fact, they have quite different characters, and the smartest way to see both is to walk down one on the way there and the other on the way back.

Kunduracılar Street

Named after the shoemakers who once worked here, this street is now a pedestrian zone closed to traffic. It's lined with clothing and shoe stores, jewellers, souvenir shops and chain stores. It's busy all day long, so be prepared for slow going, especially on Saturday afternoons. The finely woven silver bracelets you'll see in jewellers' windows are examples of hasır weaving, Trabzon's best-known handicraft.

Uzun Sokak

Running parallel to Kunduracılar, Uzun Sokak has a more "local" feel. Patisseries, bakeries, traditional eateries and small shops line the ground floors of old stone buildings. In the late afternoon and evening, Uzun Sokak is livelier than Kunduracılar, as it's the go-to meeting spot for Trabzon's young people. It's also better for photography: in parts of the street you can spot 19th-century façades, bay windows and vintage signs.

Uzun Sokak in Trabzon, the pedestrian street known for the bazaar's local tradespeople — Photo: Kayhan ERTUGRUL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Around the Bedesten and Çarşı Mosque

The oldest and most characterful part of the bazaar is the Çarşı Neighbourhood at its western end. Two buildings stand out here:

• Trabzon Bedesten: A stone building believed to date back to the Genoese period and used during the Ottoman era as a covered market where valuable goods were traded. Following its restoration, it now houses small shops and cafés. Thanks to its thick stone walls, it offers a cool retreat in summer and a dry refuge on rainy days.
• Çarşı Mosque: Built during the Ottoman period and one of the city's major mosques, it is both the religious and social centre of the area. If you plan to visit, go outside prayer times and dress appropriately.

The narrow streets around these two buildings are home to spice merchants, nut sellers, hazelnut and tea vendors, wholesale food shops and, towards the sea, fishmongers. Since these are places where locals shop rather than tourist souvenir stores, you'll generally find better options in terms of both price and variety.

Trabzon Bedesten, Çarşı Neighbourhood — Photo: Abkhazian1, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What to Buy at the Trabzon Bazaar: Truly Local Products

As in every city, not everything sold as "local" in Trabzon actually comes from the region. The following are products genuinely associated with Trabzon and its surroundings.

Hasır bracelets and silverwork

Made by weaving fine silver threads, Trabzon hasır is a jewellery-making tradition passed down from generation to generation. When buying, check the hallmark, ask for an invoice and ask clearly whether the piece is hand-woven or machine-woven; there is a significant difference between the two in both craftsmanship and price.

Sürmene knife

Named after the district east of Trabzon, the Sürmene knife can be found at knife makers and souvenir shops in the bazaar. If you're curious about the knife's history and the district itself, take a look at our article on places to visit in Sürmene. An important note: if you're flying home, be sure to pack the knife in your checked luggage; it cannot be carried in your hand luggage.

Hazelnuts, tea, butter and cheese

When buying hazelnuts, ask whether they're from this year's harvest and opt for vacuum-sealed packs if possible. Black Sea tea, dried beans and highland butter are also in high demand. In October and November, the stalls fill up with Trabzon persimmons, so be sure to try them in season. If you'd like to buy stone-baked bread, check out the bakeries in the bazaar; we tell the story of this bread in our Vakfıkebir bread guide.

Souvenirs and cultural items

Miniature kemençes, horon-themed ornaments, covers with Black Sea patterns and textiles featuring local motifs make great gifts. If you want to buy a real kemençe, it's better to consult an instrument maker rather than a souvenir shop.

What to Do Here: Activities in the Bazaar

The Trabzon bazaar isn't just for shopping; it's also a great starting point for getting to know the city:

• Historic bazaar walk: The Meydan – Kunduracılar – Bedesten – Uzun Sokak – Meydan loop makes for a pleasant walk of about an hour.
• Photography: In the early morning, the old façades on Uzun Sokak and the stone textures of the Bedesten make for crowd-free shots.
• Local flavours: Laz böreği at the patisseries, dried bean stew and black cabbage soup at traditional eateries, and a glass of strong tea in the late afternoon.
• Coffee and tea breaks: The cafés inside the Bedesten and the tea gardens around Meydan are perfect for a rest.
• Views: For those who want to see the city from above after exploring the bazaar, the Boztepe Viewing Terrace is the perfect complement.
• With children: Families with children can liven up the day after shopping with our aquarium activity.

When to Go and How Much Time to Allow

The bazaar is lively in every season, but timing shapes your experience:

• Weekday mornings: The quietest time. Ideal for chatting with shopkeepers and browsing products at your leisure.
• Saturdays: The busiest day. Great if you love the atmosphere, but it can be tiring for shopping.
• Sundays: Some shops may be closed; check the current situation, especially for wholesalers in the Çarşı Neighbourhood.
• Rainy days: These are common in Trabzon, and the bazaar is a great plan for them; the Bedesten and covered arcades offer shelter.
• Eves of religious holidays: Very crowded; avoid these days if you want a relaxed visit.

To simply stroll and soak up the atmosphere, 1.5–2 hours is enough. If you add souvenir shopping, a meal and a coffee break, set aside half a day.

Common Mistakes at the Trabzon Bazaar

• Buying from the first shop: The same product may differ in quality and price just a few shops away. Especially for hazelnuts and silver, check at least two or three places.
• Buying butter and cheese on day one: Save these for the last day of your trip and think about keeping them chilled when packing.
• Packing a knife in hand luggage: It will be confiscated at the airport.
• Only exploring Kunduracılar: Most visitors turn back before reaching the Bedesten and miss the most authentic part of the bazaar.
• Squeezing the bazaar into a rush: Arriving tired and hurried after Uzungöl or Sümela takes the fun out of it; set aside dedicated time for the bazaar in your itinerary.

How to Add the Bazaar to Your Tour Itinerary

The biggest challenge for those visiting Trabzon for a few days is figuring out where to fit the city centre in between the highlands and Sümela. The easiest solution is to plan your days with our tours departing from Trabzon. The Trabzon City Tour takes you to the city's main sights with a guide; you can ask about free time for the bazaar when booking. The next day, you can head into nature and history with the Uzungöl Tour or the Sümela Tour, then round off the evening back at the bazaar.

If you opt for a private tour with your family or friends, the vehicle and driver are reserved just for you; you set the schedule and can spend as much time at the bazaar as you like. No more hunting for parking, losing time in traffic or carrying your shopping bags around all day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Trabzon bazaar included in your tour itineraries?

The Trabzon City Tour stops at sights in the city centre; you can find out how much free time is given at the bazaar on the current itinerary via our WhatsApp line. On private tours, you decide how long the bazaar stop lasts.

Can we make an extra stop for shopping on a private tour?

Yes. Itineraries on private family or group tours with a dedicated vehicle are flexible; you can request additional stops for the bazaar, the Bedesten or souvenir shopping. Simply mention your request when booking.

What is included in the tour price?

Included services vary by tour; transport, guiding and insurance are generally covered. Shopping and personal expenses are not included. Please confirm the current inclusions on the relevant tour page or with our office.

How do I make a booking?

You can book online via the tour pages, or reserve your place by sending your date and number of people via WhatsApp (0532 170 91 54) or our office phone (0462 321 08 03).

Is the Trabzon bazaar open on Sundays?

Most shops on Kunduracılar Street and Uzun Sokak are open on Sundays too; however, some shops in the Çarşı Neighbourhood may be closed. We recommend checking the current situation before your visit.

Conclusion

The Trabzon bazaar is like an open-air museum that reveals the city's history, cuisine and daily life in just a few hours. Half a day spent amid the bustle of Kunduracılar, the old façades of Uzun Sokak and the stone walls of the Bedesten is the perfect complement to highland and lake tours. To see the city centre and its surroundings without the hassle of planning, join our group tours departing from Trabzon or arrange a private tour with a dedicated vehicle for your family.