With several shopping malls and souks to shop, Istanbul offers both modern and traditional shopping experience to its visitors. Moreover, the region boasts of every possible element that makes for a relaxing retreat – good food and great shopping!
From hand-woven rugs to exotic spices, here we have curated a list of best souvenir items to bring back home from Istanbul.
Desserts & Savories are a Must
For anyone with a sweet tooth, Istanbul is a must visit and delightful place. Choose from delicious Turkish delights flavored with rose water and fruits; pistachio filled baklava, and many more… Sweet lovers, you can find every type of Turkish dessert in Istanbul to bring back home.
Store We Recommend
Koska, Caddesi 122A, phone: +90 212 513 8900
Spices are the Flavor of Life
Spices and herbs with their delicious smells will feel your senses. If you want to buy special spices, you can find them at the old bazaars in Istanbul.
Store We Recommend
Nurı Spice Shop, Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Çiçek Pazarı Sk. Mısır Çarşısı Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Beverages are your Waking Call
Get hold of some Turkish tea or coffee at the Grand Bazaar. Good and affordable gift for yourself and your friends and well wishers too.
Store We Recommend
No: A, Cihangir Mahallesi, Oba Sokak No:17, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Fabrics & Textiles for a Style Upgrade
You can easily find the brightly colored fabrics and textiles in shops across the city. You can buy hand-woven scarves, delicate embroidery, and handmade felt garments at Grand Bazaar and street shops.
Store We Recommend
İkitelli Org.San.Böl. Eski Turgut Özal Cd. No:38, 34309 Başakşehir/İstanbul, Turkey
Ceramics
When you go for shopping in Istanbul, you can see incredible ceramics on every street and in every building. In shops, you can buy these little ceramics as a gift for your loved ones.
Store We Recommend
Beyoglu El Sanatlari Evi (Istiklal Caddesi No: 180/A, Tünel, Phone: 212 293 99 90
Carpets to Style your Home
Shopping in Istanbul is incomplete without some rugs and carpets. Over the centuries, Turkey has been a producer of rugs. During your visit to Istanbul, make sure to buy some carpets to add color to your home.
Store We Recommend
Cankurtaran Mh., Kabasakal Cd. No:3, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Art from the Istanbul Streets
You can see local artisans when you are walking on the Istanbul streets. You can buy one of their works so that you can take home a memento of Istanbul.
Store We Recommend
Bozkurt Mahallesi, Dolapdere Caddesi, Pangaltı Ekinci Plaza D:223/A, 34375 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
Evil Eye
In Turkish culture giving a blue and white “evil eye” (in Turkish: Nazar Boncuğu) as a gift is traditional. And there are several shops across the city and you can find and buy one of them in any souvenir shop.
Store We Recommend
Esentepe Mahallesi, Salih Tozan Sokak No:28 D:22, 34394 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
Abdulla Hamam Accessories
The Turkish bath has also become quite ubiquitous all over the world, and products such as the thin hammam towels (peshtemal) or the special olive oil soap also have become very famous. You can take back home all-natural products of Abdulla including hand-woven pesthemal from a mix of raw silk, linen, and cotton, and handmade natural soaps.
Store We Recommend
Mollafenari Mahallesi, Ali Baba Türbe Sk. No:15, 34080 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey, +90 212 526 30 70
Unique Gifts
Çukurcuma or the Grand Bazaar is an one-stop destination for all your shopping needs in Istanbul.
Store We Recommend
Mollafenari Mahallesi, 2/4, Vezirhan Cd., 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Expert Tips to Get a Good Bargain during Your Shopping In Istanbul
Istanbul is paradise for all shopping lovers. Whether you are a mere collector of souvenirs, or a die-hard shopaholic, shopping in Istanbul will offer you the lifetime experience. However, with an endless number of markets, outlets, and shopping malls, sometimes it may be a challenging task when it comes to shopping. To help you, we have rounded up all the shopping tips and tricks to make your shopping experience hassle free and cost effective.
#Shopping Tip 1: Make sure to brush up your bargaining skills before visiting Istanbul. If you aren’t much of a haggler, the chances are that you’ll end up paying twice as much!
#Shopping Tip 2: Stores and souks often close at noon until 5 pm. For the best shopping experience, head out at night; the weather is lovely, and the atmosphere is energetic!
#Shopping Tip 3: Festival time is definitely the best time to go. During festive seasons like Ramadan, the markets and outlets operating hours may be extended from the usual 10 am to 10 pm to 10 am to 1 am! Don’t miss the great sales during Ramadan!
#Shopping Tip 4: Like most major cities, Istanbul is at its busiest over the weekend. So, try to avoid shopping during weekend. It’s better to head out early in the morning on a weekday to avoid the huge crowds.
#Shopping Tip 5: Don’t be more anxious. Because, the more anxious you appear, the more you’ll pay for it. Believe us!
#Shopping Tip 6: If you like something, don’t buy it straight away, instead walk around and see how much it is at the next store.
Shopping is an art and you would master at it in the city of two continents, Istanbul.