Shopping in Istanbul
Are you wondering about shopping in Istanbul? In this article, I will show you the best places to buy souvenirs, jewellery, clothes, Turkish delight and many more in Istanbul. Istanbul is a great place for shopping. But you might feel overwhelmed by all the different markets and choices. You can use this article as a shopping guide in Istanbul to get the most for your money.
All information in this article and more is also included in my YouTube video:
Overview shopping locations in Istanbul
For tourists, I recommend seven shopping locations in Istanbul. In each of these places, I will highlight the most popular and well-known items.
- Grand Bazaar
- Spice Bazaar
- Istiklal street
- Cevahir shopping mall
- Nişantaşı fashion district
- Zorlu Center shopping mall (luxury shopping)
- Zeruj port shopping mall (modest fashion shopping)
All these places can be reached easily via metro or tram lines.
1) Grand Bazaar
Let’s start with the Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar is the oldest shopping mall in the world with over 4,000 shops. There is a vast variety of products. It is especially known for the following items:
Firstly jewelry. There is a huge variety of gold, silver and precious stones. Secondly, there is a wide variety of souvenirs. Thirdly, you can find high-quality textiles made from silk, fine wool and leather. You can also get beautifully handcrafted carpets and kilims.
Bargaining is a normal and expected practice at the Grand Bazaar.
I recommend checking prices at several shops and then start your offer around 20% below asking price. Avoid offering too low, like 50%, as this might offend sellers.
The Grand Bazaar is open until 7 PM and closed on Sundays.
2) Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar is the second-largest historic shopping complex after the Grand Bazar.
It is famous for Turkish Delight, spices, dried fruits, nuts, and herbal teas. All are available in various shapes and forms.
Bargaining is common here as well.
The Spice Bazaar is open every day until 7:30 PM.
3) Istiklal street
Istiklal street a 1.4-kilometer-long street with numerous clothing shops.
There you find both foreign and local brands. Istiklal street is a great street to stroll and shop.
Stores here are mostly open until 10pm.
If you are looking for cheap clothing, I can recommend Turkish brands. Especially LC Waikiki is known for its quality and affordability for all ages.
4) Cevahir shopping mall
Cevahir shopping mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe with over 200 stores.
Its central location makes it a favourite for both locals and tourists.
5) Nişantaşı fashion district
Nişantaşı is the fashion district of Istanbul.
Nişantaşı is home to high-end boutiques and designer stores.
On Abdi Ipekçi street, you can find all the luxury brands
6) Zorlu Center shopping mall (luxury shopping)
Zorlu Center shopping mall is one of the most expensive places in Istanbul.
The ground floor hosts all the luxury brands. The lower floors offer a vast variety of other options.
Next to Nişantaşı and Zorlu Center, there are two other areas for luxury shopping in Istanbul. Just as an example. There are four Louis Vuitton stores in Istanbul.
7) Zeruj port shopping mall (modest fashion shopping)
Zeruj port is a shopping mall which is entirely focused on modest fashion shopping in Istanbul.
Zeruj port is the first mall of its kind worldwide. It offers hijabs, abayas, dresses and everything else needed for a modest fashion wardrobe.
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: