Cappadocia, with its unique landscape and rich history, is also renowned for its vibrant handicrafts and souvenirs. Visitors can find an array of beautiful and unique items that reflect the region’s cultural heritage. Here’s a guide to the best local handicrafts and where to find them:
Popular Handicrafts and Souvenirs
Pottery and Ceramics
Description: Cappadocia is famous for its pottery, especially the town of Avanos, which has a long tradition of pottery-making. You can find beautifully hand-painted ceramic plates, bowls, and decorative pieces.
What to Buy: Pottery and ceramic items like decorative plates, vases, and traditional wine jugs.
Carpets and Kilims
Description: Handwoven carpets and kilims are a significant part of Turkish culture. Cappadocia offers a variety of designs and patterns unique to the region.
What to Buy: Small decorative kilims, larger carpets, and wall hangings.
Onyx and Semi-Precious Stone Jewelry
Description: The region is known for its onyx and semi-precious stones, crafted into beautiful jewelry pieces.
What to Buy: Onyx rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other semi-precious stone accessories.
Evil Eye (Nazar Boncugu)Description: The evil eye is a common symbol in Turkish culture, believed to protect against negative energy.
What to Buy: Evil eye pendants, keychains, bracelets, and wall hangings.
Textiles and Embroidered Items
Description: Cappadocia offers a variety of textile products, including embroidered fabrics, scarves, and pillow covers.
What to Buy: Hand-embroidered tablecloths, pillowcases, and scarves.
Gourmet Food Products
Description: The region is known for its dried fruits, nuts, and local wines.
What to Buy: Dried apricots, pistachios, and bottles of local wine.
Handicraft Shops and Markets
Avanos Pottery Shops
Location: Avanos, a town in Cappadocia known for its pottery tradition.
What to Find: Numerous pottery workshops where you can watch artisans at work and purchase handmade ceramics.
Göreme Open Air Museum Souvenir Shops
Location: Near the Göreme Open Air Museum.
What to Find: A variety of local handicrafts, including pottery, textiles, and jewelry.
Ürgüp Handicraft Markets
Location: The town of Ürgüp.
What to Find: Shops and stalls selling carpets, kilims, and other textile products.
Ortahisar Artisan Shops
Location: The town of Ortahisar.
What to Find: Onyx and semi-precious stone jewelry, as well as traditional Turkish souvenirs.
Nevsehir Local Markets
Location: Nevsehir, the main city in the Cappadocia region.
What to Find: A wide range of local handicrafts, food products, and traditional items.
Uchisar Castle Souvenir Shops:
Location: Near Uchisar Castle.
What to Find: Shops selling evil eye charms, embroidered items, and other souvenirs.
Tips for Buying Handicrafts and Souvenirs
Bargain: Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price, especially in markets and smaller shops.
Check Authenticity: Ensure that the items are genuinely handmade and not mass-produced imitations.
Support Local Artisans: Purchasing directly from local artisans ensures that the money goes to the people who made the items.
Ask for Certificates: For more expensive items like carpets and jewelry, ask for a certificate of authenticity.
Cappadocia’s handicrafts and souvenirs offer a wonderful way to take a piece of this enchanting region home with you. Whether it's a beautifully crafted piece of pottery, a handwoven carpet, or a unique piece of jewelry, each item carries a piece of Cappadocia’s rich cultural heritage.
