Shopping & districts
Altyn Asyr Bazaar
Altyn Asyr Bazaar
Located on the outskirts of Ashgabat, this traditional market is one of the largest in Central Asia. The layout of the facility is designed to reflect Turkmen carpet patterns, with thousands of stalls organized around a central clock tower featuring a clock. Visitors go here to browse local goods, traditional textiles, and regional produce.
Getting There
The bazaar is situated away from the city center. The most practical way to reach the market is by taxi. Depending on traffic conditions, the trip from central Ashgabat typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
Duration of Visit
Due to the scale of the market and the number of stalls, allow approximately 2 to 4 hours to walk through the different sections and browse the available merchandise.
When to Visit
The market is most active during the morning hours when fresh produce arrives and traders are most active. It can become crowded during peak shopping times. Visitors should be mindful of the extreme summer heat in Ashgabat and plan their visit for early morning or cooler seasons.
Combining with Other Sites
Because this attraction is located on the outskirts, it is separate from the main cluster of city landmarks. If you are planning a full day of sightseeing, you can combine a trip here with visits to the following locations in the city center:
- Ashgabat Russian Drama Theatre named after Pushkin (11.1km)
- Ashgabat Cinema (11.4km)
- St. Alexander Nevsky Church (11.6km)
- Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Theatre (11.7km)
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors