The old bazaar runs along the main lane inside the western gate of the castle, a compact stretch of shops selling local produce, hardware, clothing, and the occasional craft. It is a working market, not a tourist showcase, which gives it a character that the more staged bazaars elsewhere in the Balkans have lost.
The metalwork and copperware stalls are worth the walk specifically. Elbasan had a tradition of copper smithing that predates the Ottomans, and though the workshops are fewer now, you can still find hand-beaten trays, jugs, and candlesticks at prices that reflect a genuine local craft rather than an import. The bazaar is busiest in the morning.