Shopping in İstanbul

Shopping in İstanbul is not just about buying things but an experience itself. The winding roads in the bazaar, complete with its familiar sounds, color and smell get you transported to the pages of Arabian Nights. What you will get at the bazaars can never be guessed upon, as the possibilities are limitless. The prices will depend on how low you can make them, so polish your bargaining skills. Istanbul has been a top choice for shoppers for more than 1,500 years and is famous for its handmade rugs and carpets, antique silver and jewellery, semi-precious stones, spices, sweets and - more recently - pirated DVDs and cheap copies of international-brand clothing, footwear and accessories. Sultanahmet, Istanbul's prime tourist area, is awash with shops selling authentic antiques and handicrafts. These, however, are outnumbered by an even vaster number of establishments selling cheap imitations. More reliable antique dealers can be found along Turnacibasi Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi. Brand names such as Gucci, Armani and Hugo Boss can be found in the Nisantasi district. Finally the markets you should definitely make your presence felt at are the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian market and the flea market in Beyazit Square.

 

 

 

The natural wealth of Turkey and its talent all seems to assemble at these Istanbul markets. Right from Alabaster to wood inlaid work, each of these objects are a work of art in itself. Moreover, once in Turkey, you should never miss an opportunity of buying antiques and the best shops with the best bargains are what Istanbul offers you. The garment industry in Turkey is a throbbing business since Turkey produces its own wool and cotton. Though you need a natural discerning eye to differentiate between what is a quality good and what is not you must beware of fake branded clothing that is available in abundance. For the bookworm there is good news, Istanbul’s markets have a great selection of old prints, maps and books complete with its smell. Official opening hours for shopping in Istanbul are Monday to Saturday 0900-1800. In summer, many shops, especially those in tourist areas, remain open until around 2100. Foreign visitors may be eligible for a refund of value added tax on purchases at some specially designated tourist shops. A special invoice is issued, which must be presented for a refund at your airport or port of departure.

 

Grand Bazaar and Spice Market

Grand Bazaar in Beyazit is one of Istanbul's greatest tourism attractions, even if you do not intend to buy anything. It covers an entire area of 30 hectares and has almost 4400 shops, 40 hans (a type of night stop-over where dealers could unload their wares) and encompasses over 60 streets. New and antique jewellery, inlaid woodwork furniture, textiles and embroidery, metal ware and more can all be found beneath its covered alleyways. Like its more famous neighbour the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar is worth a special trip.  The Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar, next to the Yeni Mosque at Eminönü, transports you to fantasies from the mystical East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice fill the air. It smells marvellous and looks marvellous too, with stalls piled high with olives, dried fruits and nuts, herbs, and mounds of bright-coloured spices and gorgeous sweetmeats.

 

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in the old city. The Istanbul Sanatlari Carsisi (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby 16th century Caferaga Medrese, built by Sinan, offer you the chance to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares. In the Arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping arcade makes both shopping and sightseeing very convenient.

 

Kanyon Shopping Mall

Kanyon shopping mall has the most modern shops. It has 4 shopping floors with open-air environment, and there is 22-floor residence for staying. Kanyon shopping center hosts 160 stores such as Accessorize, Adidas, Agatha Paris, Anne Klein, Apple Premium Reseller Troy, Atasay, Bally, Camper, Cacharel, Cesare Paciotti, Chakra, Che Cigar, Class Roberto Cavalli, Douglas, Escade Sport, Esse, Furla, Gant, Georg Jensen-Moser, GNC, Harvey Nichols, Jack&Jones, L’occitane en Provence, Lacoste, Mackha, Mango, Mothercare, Network, Nine West, Paşabahçe, Pilgrim, Samsonite, Scabal, Sony, Steve Madden, Swarovski, Vakko, Vero Moda, Yargıcı, Yeşil and more.

 

Cevahir Shopping Mall

Cevahir Shopping Mall is biggest shopping center in Turkey. It hosts 34 fast food restaurants as Burger King, McDonald’s , Pizza Hot, Domino’s, Schlotzsky’s, Starbucks, Gloria Jean’s and etc. , 14 exclusive restaurants, 12 cinema saloons, 343 shops and a small rollercoaster. Cevahir Shopping Center administration organizes big concert and celebration monthly. Biggest clock in the world is here, on shopping center’s roof. Its width is 25 meters and digits’ 3 meters. There are exclusive shop as Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Jack&Jones, Vero Moda, Peacocks, Topshop, Top Man, Miss Selfridge, River Island, Benetton, Mothercare, Esprit, Massimo Dutti, La Senza, Zara, BSB, Adidas, Dockers.

 

Akmerkez Shopping Mall

Opened in 1993, this mall has 250 shops, 23 restaurants and 4 cinema halls. They house brands like Bisse, Lacoste, Beyman, Reebok, Roman, Tween, Calvin Klein, Cacharel, Marks and Spencer’s, Mango, Chakra, Diesel, Zara, and many many more. This mall has 50,000 visitors everyday.

 

Flea Markets

In lstanbul's busy flea markets you can find an astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new. Every day offers a new opportunity to poke about the Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti in the Beyazit district. On Sundays, in a flea market between the Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor Carsisi is a collection of shops that sell furniture of varying age and quality. Flea markets are open daily in the Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma Sokak in Cihangir, on Büyük Hamam Sokak in Üsküdar, in the Kadiköy Carsi Duragi area, and between Eminönü and Tahtakale.  After a Sunday drive up the Bosphorus, stop between Büyükdere and Sariyer to wander through another lively market.