My Travel Experience to Urla, Türkiye | Places to Shop and Visit

During my trip to Urla, I realized that this town is one of the richest areas in terms of shopping variety. The first place I visited for shopping was the Historical Arasta Bazaar and Malgaca Market.

Arasta Bazaar and Malgaca Market

This historical marketplace has been standing for more than two centuries, and as I walked through it, I truly felt like I had stepped back in time. In the past, people met all their daily needs in this very market, and Arasta served as the main shopping hub of the region. Interestingly, these two markets are built intertwined, and with their preserved historical structure, they are considered a unique example in the world.

If you’re planning to buy souvenirs for your loved ones, I highly recommend stopping by these two markets. In addition to a wide variety of local products, you’ll also have the chance to chat with the friendly local vendors. And if you feel tired, you can take a break at one of the traditional cafés and enjoy a cup of tea.

Art Market

Another memorable experience I had in Urla was visiting the Art Market, which takes place on the last Sunday of each month on Art Street. If you’re interested in arts and antique items, this market is a great choice. You can find beautiful glassworks, ceramics, paintings, and sculptures at reasonable prices.

I also visited Art Street, located on Zafer Street, which is a charming area full of handmade crafts. Occasionally, different art performances are held there as well, and it’s a wonderful place to buy gifts both for yourself and your friends.

Wine and Olive oil production in Urla

In recent years, Urla has also become well-known for its wine and olive oil production. Along the “Vineyard Route” (Bağ Yolu), there are several wine houses you can visit, where you can taste various wines and purchase the ones you like. One of the wine houses I stopped by was “Urla Winery,” located in the Kuşçular neighborhood. They offer free 20-minute tours every hour, showing how their wine is produced. I joined one of these tours and enjoyed a tasting session afterward.

When it comes to olive oil in Urla, the first place that comes to mind is Köstem Farm. This farm not only produces organic olives and olive oil but also houses the world’s largest olive oil museum — the Köstem Olive Oil Museum. Located in the village of Uzunkuyu, this museum gave me a close-up look at the history and production stages of olive oil. I learned about ancient techniques of olive cultivation that date back to the 6th century BCE.

Another great place to buy organic olive oil is the Ayerya Organic Products store, located in the center of Urla. There, I discovered “Olivurla” — an award-winning brand known for its high-quality organic olive oil. They also offer lavender-scented soaps made from goat’s milk, which make for wonderful souvenirs.

Finally

Finally, I visited a peaceful and lovely village in Urla called Özbek. This village is known for its natural products and calm atmosphere. Even if you only have a few hours to spare, it’s definitely worth a visit, and you can enjoy a pleasant and affordable shopping experience.