Farmers’ Markets in Northern Cyprus: Schedule and Locations

The traveling farmers’ market in Northern Cyprus operates on different days of the week in different cities: usually Girne — on Wednesdays, Famagusta — on Thursdays, İskele — on Fridays, Lefkoşa (Merkez Lefkoşa) — on weekends, and Güzelyurt — on Saturdays. The usual time is 8:00–16:00/18:00, but the hours and venues may change due to holidays, construction work or municipal decisions, so before setting out it is useful to check the location on maps using the query «pazar yeri» + the name of the city.

The traveling farmers’ market in Northern Cyprus deserves special attention. It is unique because of its long history, and it also has a rather unusual schedule.

The reason is that it operates on different days in different cities. Many years ago, local farmers developed a tradition of taking their produce for sale to nearby cities. This tradition has survived to this day. Below, we explain on which days you can buy farm produce in which cities.

At the stalls, you can find all kinds of fruit and vegetables grown by local farmers, a variety of spices, nuts and candied fruit. Fish and seafood, Turkish coffee of different grinds, as well as clothing, textiles and household goods are also often available at these markets.

• Cities where the market operates
• Frequently asked questions about the farmers’ market

Cities where the market operates

Below is an approximate schedule. In practice, changes are possible, for example on public holidays, and in some cities the market may change venues. If you are visiting for the first time, the easiest way is to open maps and check the current location using the query «pazar» or «pazar yeri» + the city.

How to do this

1. Open maps and enter «pazar yeri» + the city you need, for example, «Girne pazar yeri».
2. Check the day of the week and save the location to plan your route.
3. If you are going for fruit and vegetables, arrive in the first half of the day; if you are looking for discounts, come closer to the end of the market’s operating hours.

Frequently asked questions about the farmers’ market

What time does the market operate?

Most often, the market is open from 8:00 in the morning until 16:00–18:00 in the evening. In Güzelyurt, the market often closes earlier, at around 12:00–13:00. In practice, the hours may change, especially on public holidays or when the location is changed.

Can you buy products more cheaply closer to closing time?

Often, yes: closer to the end of the day, fruit and vegetable vendors may lower the prices of produce that is «for today».

Where can I find markets in the listed cities?

The most convenient way is to search on maps using the query «pazar» or «pazar yeri» + the city. This way, you will see the current location and be able to plan your route.

Where can I buy fresh fish and meat besides the market?

If you do not make it to the market, collections of places that sell fresh products throughout the week may be useful:

• fish shops in Northern Cyprus;
• butcher shops in Northern Cyprus.