I'll happily be the first to review this. This marketplace is awesome. First off, it is historic - looked it up to be sure I'm accurate on this, it was built in 1490. We came here in February in the pouring rain and it was cool/eerie walking around in the historic looking section that was pretty empty and with cool old architecture on the outside courtyard. Then go inside and it is a hustling bustling marketplace, with awesome spices, scarves and antiques.
In Istanbul I was disappointed with their large market area because of two things - aggressive salespeople and high prices. Whereas in Istanbul I had trouble finding scarves that were unique and that I really really liked, Bursa had tons of choices. I came out of this market with six scarves for myself plus some as gifts, and I wear my scarves all the time. They are beautiful and durable and unique, and I get a lot of compliments on them - my friend got a reasonably priced and attractive carpet from here. Bursa is the textile capital of Turkey and highly worth a visit just to buy stuff. Not only that, but the history is interesting - it was once a capitol of the Ottoman Empire and was the base from which Mehmed II attacked then-Constantinople until it fell in 1453. The backdrop of the city (though you can't see it from the market) is the beautiful Mt. Uludag, and it is an easy approx 3-hour ferry from Istanbul.
Back to the market, it will not disappoint a tourist. Tons of choices, the salespeople don't harass you like they do in Istanbul, and the items there are higher quality and more unique. In particular, there was a really cool antique shop that sold old weapons and old painted tin/toy soldiers from older times. It was so cool. I wish I knew/remembered the name of that place. Visiting this market was one of the key highlights of my trip to Turkey, and I highly recommend! read more
