Shopping and bargain hunting in Marmaris

Click on thumbnail for details

Envision Jewellery

Fidan Center

Karacan Point Center

O Marine Optics

Selen Jewellery

Turkish Delight House

Vogue Jewellery

Shops and Shopping
in Marmaris

Shopping at local market in Mugla (in winter)

One of the first things you will notice shortly after arrival is the price of goods in Turkey. Can you imagine a polo shirt for a couple of pounds??? Well, it's all here.

Another thing you will notice the piles of brand named goods at seemingly ridiculously low prices. There has been a lot of discussion concerning "fake" Lacoste T shirts etc but I am not convinced on the subject. I have purchased Lacoste shirts in Turkey for a couple of quid which bore the label "Made in France" which I am sure was false. Personally I suspect that Lacoste and other brand name owners have contracted to have a million or more T shirts manufactured in Turkey before being shipped to all corners of the world and that a certain number have failed to made it into the contains for shipment out of Turkey and found their way on the market stalls. Personally I have found them to be long wearing and well worth the price.

Some of the best buys in Turkey are leather coats or jackets, tailor-made suede suits, all sorts of carpets, rugs and kilims, a tremendous range of jewellery, gold and silverware and embroideries. The oldest and most beautiful examples of Anatolian jewellery, embroidery and carpets can be found in Marmaris also. It is worth looking for antiquities because there is still much to be found that is ancient, local, and genuine.

A wide range of Turkish handicrafts which can make charming and distinctive souvenirs can be found at low prices, such as hand-painted ceramic plates and vases with decorative appeal, pipes that are hand-carved out of soft white meerschaum, fine onyx works, leather-ware, embroidered towels and scarves, pointed Turkish slippers, colourful hand-knitted stockings and gloves, embroidered blouses and dresses, golden harem rings, all kinds of silverware, silver rings, earrings, and necklaces, coins from all parts of the world, hand-beaten old and new copper, brass coffee-grinders and copper trays, rainbow-coloured kilims and carpet bags, seat covers and saddle bags, ancient swords, shoe-shine boxes, leather ties, knitted suede vests and blouses.

Bargains Galore - Haggling is one of the great traditions of the Mediterranean cultures. Although it can be a little frustrating at first for the uninitiated, once you've got the hang of it you'll not only secure yourself a real knock-down price, you'll have lots of fun and begin to enjoy it also!

You must be willing to shop around and spend some time comparing prices before "cutting a deal". Firstly, there are four golden rules:

1. Don't start haggling unless you are genuinely interested.
2. Don't be in too much of a hurry. The shopkeeper won't be.
3. Be firm but polite, and remember, there's no need to be embarrassed.
Haggling is the norm for items without a price tag or ticket.
4. If you're haggling over small items, don't be too mean, as the price is likely to be low to start with in any case. There is no point in haggling about what is a very small sum in your own currency.

When the shopkeeper tells you the starting price, begin by offering him approximately 50 % of this price. A lot of dramatic gestures and "tutting" will follow. Then he will make a counteroffer. You make a slightly higher offer, say 60 % of the original price. He makes another counter-offer, and the process continues until a price is agreed. As a general rule, you should expect to end up with a final price around 70 % of the original price quoted.

Bargaining has been and is still an important purchasing technique in the shops. A dealer who is not going to bargain will make it clear in the beginning after which there is no use in persisting. Bargaining is a skill of persuading people that is acquired over many years.

Visitors will almost always be invited to enter shops to look around, without having to buy anything, and will often be offered tea, coffee, or refreshments. In fact invitations to enter the shops will become a nuisance after a while. When you find someone trying to entice you to have a haircut when you are really looking for a jacket it can become tiring.

Karacan Point Centre
Shopping Center

Most of the dealers in shops speak at least one foreign language so there should be no communication difficulty.

If your bargaining technique seems to be lacking something, try thanking the shopkeeper for his time and walk away. If he chases you down the street (as he probably will do!) you know the negotiations haven't reached a deadlock, and you'll soon agree the price you asked for.

Bulk buying - If you're buying more then one item, try negotiating a total price or asking for one of the items free. This technique comes into its own at the local market, especially if you buy in bulk. Expect to knock a couple of lira off a few Chanel T-Shirts or get five music cassettes for the price of four.

Silver - Fascinating silverware such as jugs, pots, bowls, and trays are all prized for the beauty of their designs and exquisite workmanship. Although silverware is not cheap, the elegance of the ewers and candlesticks exhibited in the windows of the silverware dealers attracts admirers. Since the Ottoman period silverware has been important in Turkey. Silver along with gold is also normally good value with most pieces hand crafted.

Pottery and ceramics - Turkish tiles have been famous for centuries, and kutahya ware, which is the oldest, is still quite nice and not at all expensive. The pottery displayed in touristic shops is noted for its fine colours and beautiful designs. Typical Turkish motifs, such as tulips and carnations in blue, olive green, purple and turquoise are common on decorated plates, bowls, and vases.

Cloth and embroidery - Distinctively patterned or plain hand-woven cloth of all kinds and for various purposes be found stacked on the shelves of tiny shops from floor to ceiling. Plain white cotton cloth with hand-printed motifs can make simple and different table-cloths. Handmade striped cotton sheets with hand-made lace at the edges can be fun to use. Delicate light-weight material called "sile bezi" makes nice summer wear. Recently, there seems to be a growing interest in and demand for hand-made materials. A great variety of embroidered items, from old pieces to currently fashionable ones, may be found in Marmaris. Table-cloths, pillow-cases, bed covers with intricate handwork, embroidered blouses, hand-knitted lace and suede blouses and vests, and antique costumes are sold in the shops and at the weekly market which is held on Fridays in Marmaris.

Leather and suede - The best bargains in Turkey are very soft and beautifully worked leather garments - this is one product where bargaining is almost obligatory so be warned. There is an endless choice of leather or suede coats, jackets, waistcoats, suits, dresses, skirts, trousers, shoes, belts and bags. Most of the time it is not hard to find something that fits, but in case it is needed, there are tailors within a few metres of the shops who can make alterations according to taste and measurements. There are also warm and fashionable leather or suede coats, car-coats, and vests with fur linings.

Fidan Center

Meerschaum - Favourite souvenirs from Turkey are made of meerschaum clay found on the western coast of Turkey. This is the worlds finest soft white mineral, and Turkey produces the best and cheapest meerschaum pipes. There are cigarette holders with meerschaum tips also. Fine alabaster and onyx jewellery or cigarette boxes and chess sets along with various inlaid chests and nargile or water pipes are souvenir items sold in touristic shops. Remember when looking at meerschaum articles that all of them were carved and worked by hand - usually by quite young men - it is fascinating to watch an ugly lumps of white\grey clay like material change into beautiful useful articles in a short time.

Copper and brass- Copper is still hand-beaten by the coppersmiths and is extremely attractive. The older pieces are more expensive than the newer ones and usually have better designs. The most popular copper and brass items are flat trays of all sizes, and the large ones which are often used as coffee tables. Bowls, pitches, and flower pots are other decorative pieces which will be found.

O.Marines Optics

Evil Eyes! - Almost everywhere you go, you will see "Evil Eyes" or "Boncuk" hanging up on walls or dangling from rear view mirrors on coaches or in cars. Smaller evil eyes can be found pinned to children' s clothes or hanging on a chain around someone's neck. It is a long-standing tradition in Turkey that these beads are worn to protect oneself against the "evil eye' or "the look"!!! It is thought that someone can put the "evil eye" on you without even meaning to and that babies and children are the weakest to protect themselves against "the look". These Boncuk beads come in all shapes and sizes: some embossed in gold: some fairly large, glassy and ornate that you can hang upon a wall at home. An excellent gift idea.

Carpets and kilims - Silk carpets are obviously the most expensive items coming in many sizes and shapes including right up to room size. The price varies according to the number of knots per square inch or centimeter and the design of the carpets. They also come in smaller sizes too, such as prayer rugs, long Turkish pillows, seat-covers, and saddle bags. Old and used carpets are very precious and are good investments. Kilims are woven village rugs that have no pile. They are cheaper and since they are used for decorative purposes, the designs and colours on them are important. Goat-hair rugs, which were originally used as blankets, are also very popular: they come in white, brown, gray and black. They have a feeling of luxury but they are inexpensive.

Jewellery and gold - The most irresistible sight in Marmaris are gold shops. The effect of row upon row of bracelets, chains, and necklaces can be very enticing. Since gold is important in traditional Turkish customs, especially in marriages, the workmanship is often excellent. In Marmaris there seem to be hundreds of gold and jewellery shops. Glittering under the skillfully mounted bright lights of the shops, jewellery ranging from traditional to the most modern designs will be found. Skilled craftsmen can also be found working in tiny shops in city center.

Most of the gold on offer will be 14 caret, but you can also find 18 caret and 22 caret, and whichever you choose the craftsmanship will be superb. You are sure to find a wide range of beautiful designs, set with lovely precious and semi-precious gemstones. Gold is priced according to its weight and then an amount is added for the craftsmanship.

Environs Jewellery

Selen Jewellery

Vogue Jewellery

Herbs and spices - Herbs and spices are very cheap compared to many countries, because most varieties are used in Turkish cooking, and extensive range can be bought fresh at the bazaar, special spice-shop and local markets. You'll find that the names are not the same as home but with a little effort you can find what you are looking for.

Music - Snap up the top ten music tapes or CDs at a quarter of the price you would pay at home! Quality is generally good and the range excellent. You can even have your favourite holiday music made.

Turkish Delight - Turkish delight, known as Lokum, comes in nearly 90 varieties, ready-boxed or pick 'n' mix style. A traditional lokum shop will have a kaleidoscopic choice - from traditional pink cubes to flavoured varieties like mint, lemon or pistachio. Nearest Lokum factory is in Armutalan district. If you're buying it to bring home leave your purchase as late as possible to ensure freshness.

Turkish Delight House

Perfume - The quality of "pirated" perfume doesn't match that of the clothes. Despite a famous-named label, it is most likely to be either lemon cologne or even tap water! Save your money for the genuine duty-free article at the airport or harbour tax-free shops.

Antiquities - In city center of Marmaris are some shops of antiquities. Classical Byzantine pottery and figurines, clocks, china, lanterns, watches, oil-lamps, icons, and fine glassware can be found in the antiquity shops. Almost every jewellery shop has a tray full of old coins and old money bills. Not all of the antiquities are authentic, there are also imitations of excellent workmanship.

Shopping for Antiquities - If you are interested in purchasing a carpet, a kilim, leather goods or jewellery you should check out the web pages shown below as these shops have been offering good trustworthy high quality goods in Marmaris for a number of years and are reputable supplies who will still be here next year and will stand by their reputation and guarantees. Check out their pages and print off a copy of their gift certificate before visiting.

Exporting Antiquities - In general, antiquities are not allowed to be taken out of the country, under any circumstances, and penalties for attempting to act against this ban are severe. Articles found underground and underwater are all classified as antiquities. The antiquities which may be taken out of the country, must have a legal paper from the appropriate museum stating that the object may be bought and sold within the country and another paper stating that it may be taken out of the country. Both of the papers are to be shown at customs. The shopkeeper must be able to provide you with both documents before you can take any antiquity out of the country.