Shopping in Ashgabat promises to be incredibly interesting. The city has seven large oriental markets, craft workshops, and specialty stores, as well as modern shopping malls. For the best local goods and souvenirs, most travelers go to the city markets. The city's most attractive bazaar, Altyn Asyr, is open on Saturday and Sunday and is located near the airport. Several years ago, the market was completely renovated and got new trade pavilions. Ashgabat's largest market's area is 154 hectares. On weekends, more than 2,000 stalls sell thousands of various goods at the market. It is here that you can find the most popular Turkmen goods, including amazingly beautiful handmade carpets, regional-style clothes and shoes. They also sell interesting handicrafts and jewelry at the bazaar. Here you can buy many inexpensive and beautiful souvenirs. Colorful hand-sewn bathrobes and slippers, as well as genuine leather goods, are especially popular among tourists. At the grocery rows, one should pay special attention to oriental sweets and spices, jerkies and homemade cheese, dried fruits, and nuts. The best time to visit the market is early in the morning, as most stalls close by 2:00 pm. Popular shopping malls and souvenir shops are mainly concentrated in the city center. If you're looking for beautiful keepsakes, go check a bookstore located next to the university. It sells very beautiful books on the city's history and brochures describing local attractions. Among inexpensive
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