See our Dalyan Shopping Guide for some useful tips on the best places to shop along with some great souvenir ideas. During your shopping spree be sure to take time to enjoy the exotic flavours of the local food. Check out our Turkey Shopping Guide for some general information about shopping in Turkey.

Dalyan Shopping Guide

Dalyan is a little more expensive than some less popular resorts nearby but there are still bargains to be had. For regular and more mundane daily use products, there are supermarkets like the large Migros on the road that leads into Dalyan. There are, of course, also plenty of local shops across town in the main residential and commercial areas. These shops sell electrical items, carpets, clothing and souvenirs. An interesting bit of trivia - the Gerders ice cream store on the east-west road leading out of the centre is apparently partly owned by David Hasselhoff.

Turkish Carpets

Turkey is most famous for its exquisite carpets or rugs called kilim and the prices of these souvenirs can vary greatly depending on the workmanship, the age of the carpet and even the number of knots in every square centimetre. Most prized are the silk carpets, destined for the homes of the rich and famous. Wool carpets are hardy and more affordable while cotton ones are lighter but probably won't last as long as the woollen ones. Be careful when you're buying Turkish carpets though. There is no such thing as a cheap carpet, so be sure your money is spent at the right places. Ensure the dealer is well known and reliable and that the carpet itself carries a tag assuring you of its price, origin, material and size.

Souvenirs

Other souvenirs you may want to pick up are locally produced leather products like jackets, shoes or bags, which offer great value for money and are of good quality. Do check the stitching to ensure it is done properly, even if the leather itself is good. There are also the usual handicrafts or the more unusual onyx or the traditional gold jewellery in Turkish designs. To be a little different get yourself a traditional pipe or some very luxurious bath slippers with touches of mother of pearl on them!

Turkish blue beads

Turkish blue beads are at the heart of an intriguing local cultural phenomenon. These tear-shaped blue beads can be found all over the place and are scattered to keep off the ‘evil eye' - or as it is called locally, ‘nazar' (literally translated this means ‘the look'). This superstition is one that most people feel merits some attention and locals believe that this evil eye can come without warning or provocation. The beads are said to protect one from this evil eye and that's why Turkish homes, vehicles, walls and streets are adorned with them. These beads are also sold here and you may like to take home some as a memento.

Markets

Most Turkish resort towns have markets that are held weekly and attract the best of the local artisans, craftsmen and farmers. You can expect to find fresh produce as well as handicrafts, clothing and small trinkets that make great gifts for friends and family back home. Bargaining at these markets is the norm, so go out and have some fun!

The weekly Saturday market in Dalyan is the ideal place to get all you want in one place - and at bargain prices! Haggle and you're sure to get lots of stuff at great prices. Tiny shops open up and these stalls sell everything from more expensive carpets to small ceramic products and handicrafts. Some vendors peddle counterfeit products which mimic international designer brands well but are fake nonetheless.

The art of bargaining in Dalyan is fast dying out as the practice loses out to fixed price stores and tags make an appearance on local made goods. While you can haggle if no prices are displayed, the presence of a price tag is a good indicator that bargaining will not be encouraged at that shop. Tourists are also more aware of prices and so the absence of tags doesn't allow vendors to get away with charging the unsuspecting traveller an unbelievably high price.

Business Hours

Many shops stay open all week long but some are closed on Sundays. Stores open around 9.30 am and stay open as late as midnight. Government institutions and offices start work at 8.30 am but wrap up by 5.30 pm with one hour off for lunch between 12.30 and 1.30 pm. They also take Saturdays and Sundays off. Post offices are usually operational from 8 am to midnight every day. Banks stay open between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm, with a break between noon and 1.30 pm, and with Saturday and Sunday off. In addition, almost everyone closes to mark the religious events of Kurban Bayram and Seker Bayram (after Ramadan).

Payment and currency

Prices in touristy parts of the area are marked in Euro and Pounds Sterling and shops may accept your foreign currency. It may be good to change your money for some local currency at the bank or larger shops or withdraw some cash from an ATM. Several bigger stores and restaurants accept payment by credit card, but the smaller ones stick to cash transactions and usually only in the local currency. Save all your foreign currency exchange receipt vouchers; you might require them when you change the local currency back to your own at home or if you're carrying high- priced, big ticket items out of Turkey.

Turkey does not limit the type or quantity of money you bring in; however, no more than 5000 US dollars can be carried out when you are exiting the country. Also remember to save receipts for all large purchases so you can claim a tax refund when you leave. Shops that offer items on which refunds are possible usually announce this in their windows with the "authorised for refund" board. Stores often give candy or chewing gum or matchboxes in lieu of small change, so be prepared!

Refund/return policy

Turkish law states that all goods can be returned for up to seven days after purchase if customers are unhappy with the product. So if you find yourself wondering if you've bought something that isn't worth its price when you return to your hotel room, you can always send it back. Do keep the bill and ensure the packing material is used to keep the carpet safe if you do decide to return it, so that the dealer can't dispute your request on grounds of your having damaged the goods.