"Arasta, the traditional commercial center of Muğla, is located at the intersection of the north-south and east-west axes on the old caravan route. Its historical texture reflects the characteristics of its civil architecture.

Arasta is the name given to the sections of the bazaar where tradesmen engaged in the same trade congregate. The "Blacksmiths' Arasta" and "Coppersmiths' Arasta" remain the same names today. It still serves as the commercial center of the urban protected area. With its saddle makers, shoemakers, barbers, hardware stores, artisan restaurants, and the fountain in the square, Arasta seems frozen in time at the beginning of the 20th century. While the Izmir-Aydın-Çine and Tavas-Denizli routes were once the only link connecting the city to the outside world, the caravan route that used these routes passed through Muğla. Camel caravans would enter the city from today's Sekibaşı Street, follow this road to the city center, and stop at the Yağcılar Inn and Kocahan, in the area that still serves as the commercial center of the Urban Site. It is known that the Yağcılar Inn, İbrahim Inn, Bacılar Inn, Balcıoğlu Inn, Konakaltı Inn, and the now-defunct Kocahan, located along the route of the historic caravan route, were among the city's most vibrant venues in the past. Caravans would leave the city from the Saburhane district, follow the still-existing Yılanlı Mountain Road to Tavas, and from there proceed to Denizli.

The Tabakhane (Tabakhane), located north of the Arasta (Arabastan), was also an important trade center within the city. The leathers processed there were highly sought after by caravaners. Other goods of importance to caravaners were hand-loomed cloth, forest products (timber), and high-quality lime extracted from Hamursuz Mountain. In exchange, they received wheat, which was not cultivated in sufficient quantities in Muğla, some agricultural products, and fabrics. This region began to lose its former importance, especially after the 1980s, due to various factors such as changing social life, the shift of the city center southward, and the lack of new masters to replace the old ones."

Abdurrahim Vural

"Muğla's historic Arasta Bazaar. It's not very big, but it's a fun place to visit."

Barış Kama

"The streets are very narrow. Park your car first. And don't go there in extremely hot weather, as there's no air conditioning. Let's get to our market; it's a charming little market with narrow streets and plenty of coffeehouses. I recommend the Gastro Muğla Museum Restaurant. It's not very visible from the garden road, but it's a warm place. I had the pumpkin dessert and loved it. If we had been hungry, there were many different dishes to try. The young people were polite and respectful. It was a quiet, quiet, and very charming place."

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