Malatya 2026: Apricots, Local Food and Shopping after Reconstruction

عاشق الأناضول · Oct 3, 2026

Apricots growing in Malatya; fresh fruit is available according to the harvest season.

Malatya makes a rewarding stop for apricot shopping and local food before trips to Arslantepe or Darende. Its centre changed substantially after the 2023 earthquakes, however, so a 2026 visit calls for current shop addresses rather than reliance on photographs of the old markets.

Start with the Shop's Current Address

The old Şire market, associated with the apricot trade, was devastated in the February 2023 earthquakes. Reconstruction has since changed the centre. Plan around the present-day location of the business you want to visit, rather than expecting the former market layout or an address in an older guide.

Choose a shop that confirms it is operating and request its current map location before travelling. When booking accommodation, ask about vehicle access and parking. A central hotel address alone does not explain the condition of nearby streets or entrances.

Choosing Apricots and Gifts

Start with a small quantity to taste, then compare prices by weight, product type and degree of dryness. Ask the seller to explain the varieties and preparation methods. Colour on its own is not enough to judge quality.

For travel, choose sealed packs labelled with the product name, weight and packing date. Check your luggage allowance before buying several kilograms, and ask for gifts to be packed separately in small portions that are easier to distribute.

Malatya kağıt kebabı: meat wrapped in paper and cooked in an oven.

Local Dishes to Try

Kağıt kebabı, or paper kebab, is a Malatya speciality made with lamb wrapped in paper and cooked in an oven. Ask the restaurant whether it will be available before you arrive, particularly outside lunchtime.

Other choices include analı kızlı, a broth with stuffed and unstuffed bulgur dumplings, meat and chickpeas, and an apricot dessert served with kaymak cream. Share a main dish to begin with if the group wants to sample several flavours, then order more as needed.

An Unhurried City Outing

Organise the day around two clear stops: shopping and a local meal, with a break between them. Give Arslantepe its own part of the itinerary if you want time to read and explore the site properly.

Some heritage buildings were damaged or closed for restoration. Confirm recent access before treating Yeni Mosque or the Beşkonaklar house museum as guaranteed indoor visits. Keep a simple alternative for any spare time, such as an open café near your accommodation.

Arrival and Shopping Tips

Save hotel and shop names in Turkish to make asking for directions easier, and agree a clear meeting point if family members separate while shopping. On a longer trip, leave purchases requiring refrigeration until the final day.

Keep your receipt and check the contents of each package before leaving the shop. The aim is to experience the city and its food with a flexible programme built around the addresses and services operating when you arrive.

Related topics

Malatya 2026: Apricots, Local Food and Shopping after Reconstruction

عاشق الأناضول

Active member