5 Best Shopping in The Sea of Marmara and the North Aegean, Turkey

The 19th-century Mirrored Bazaar remained unused for much of the last century after being seriously damaged by shelling in the Gallipoli campaign. It was renovated in the early 2000s to house about two dozen shops, mostly selling souvenirs. Its design is based on Istanbul's Mısır Çarşı (Spice Bazaar).

This large shop just off the main tile-makers street offers a variety of tiles, bowls, plates, vases, and other ceramic goods.

As is traditional, each section of the Kapalı Çarşı, behind the Ulu Cami, is dominated by a particular trade: jewelers, silk weavers, antique dealers. The Koza Han (Cocoon Kerrvansaray) section next to the Orhan Gazi Mosque by the east entrance is the center of the silk trade. It has a lovely courtyard with a tiny mescit (prayer room) and a 150-year-old linden tree under which you can sip your tea. The Emir Han, behind the Ulu Cami, in the southwest section, is an interesting combination of jewelers and a religious book market; it also has a fountain and a courtyard tea garden. Antiques and souvenirs can be found in the small Eski Aynalı Carşı section, between Koza Han and Emir Han. Try Karagöz for traditional shadow puppets and other interesting items.

This decades-old shop in the Eski Aynalı Çarşı sells Turkish Karagöz shadow puppets, traditional costumes, and other interesting antique and folkloric items. Owner Şinasi Çelikkol has done much to keep the art of shadow-puppet theater alive in Bursa and may oblige you with a brief performance in his shop.

Once an early Ottoman theology school, this building now houses a tile and ceramics bazaar with 10 workshops. They're grouped around a peaceful courtyard, where you can enjoy a cup of tea or a Turkish coffee.