Shopping
From historic bazaars and luxury malls to trendy boutiques and local markets, Istanbul offers a diverse shopping scene that caters to all tastes and budgets.
Whether you’re hunting for authentic Turkish carpets, handmade ceramics, designer fashion, or unique souvenirs, our guides help you navigate the best shopping streets, must-visit markets, and top malls in the city. Find out where to shop, what to buy, and insider tips for the best deals.
13 Unique Turkish Souvenirs and Gifts to Buy in Istanbul
Souvenir shopping in Istanbul can feel challenging at first. There’s so much to choose from, and almost everything looks tempting. The trick isn’t buying...
Best Places to Buy Antiques in Istanbul: Hidden Gems for Collectors
Antique shopping in Istanbul isn’t about ticking off famous markets. It’s about slowing your pace and learning where to look. Some of the city’s...
The Best Spice Shops in Istanbul: Where to Find the Finest Spices
Istanbul has always been a city shaped by trade, and spices are one of its oldest languages. Long before restaurants and recipe blogs, flavors...
The Best Places to Buy Leather Goods in Istanbul (Local Guide)
Leather shopping in Istanbul feels rooted, not trendy. Istanbul has worked with leather for centuries, and you can still sense that experience in how...
Luxury Shopping in Istanbul: The Best Designer Boutiques
Luxury shopping in Istanbul doesn’t follow one formula. It shifts by neighborhood, by pace, and by intention.Some areas focus on heritage and craftsmanship. Others...
Where to Buy Authentic Turkish Delight in Istanbul: Best Lokum Shops
Turkish delight is easy to find in Istanbul. Authentic Turkish delight is not. Walk a few minutes through the city and you’ll see lokum...
Best Places to Buy Turkish Carpets and Rugs in Istanbul Guide
Buying a Turkish carpet in Istanbul isn’t just shopping. It’s an encounter. You’ll see rugs stacked floor to ceiling, patterns that seem to repeat...
Best Tattoo & Piercing Studios in Istanbul: Meet the Top Artists
Getting a tattoo or piercing in Istanbul isn’t just about finding a studio. It’s about timing, trust, and choosing an artist whose work still...
Where to Buy Gold in Istanbul: Best Jewelry & Gold Shops
Buying gold in Istanbul feels simple on paper. Walk in. Pick something shiny. Pay. Walk out. Reality behaves differently. Here’s the lesser-known part. Gold...
Best Places to Buy Shoes in Istanbul (Luxury, Turkish & Affordable)
Shoe shopping in Istanbul is surprisingly practical. Yes, you’ll see luxury storefronts and designer names. But just as often, you’ll walk past small shops...
TOP 6 Best Wedding Dress Shops & Bridal Boutiques in Istanbul
Wedding dress shopping in Istanbul doesn’t feel transactional. It feels personal. Most bridal boutiques here work by appointment, which changes everything. You’re not flipping...
Turkey Size Guide: Clothes, Shoes, Weights & Measurements
Shopping in Turkey feels familiar right up until it doesn’t. You pick up a jacket marked “40”. It fits nothing like the 40 you...
Top 10 Historical Bazaars & Markets in Istanbul (Local Guide)
Markets tell you more about Istanbul than monuments ever will. You can stand in front of a palace and admire history from a distance....
Visiting Grand Bazaar Istanbul Guide: Hours, Tips & What to Buy
The Grand Bazaar Istanbul surprises most first-time visitors for the wrong reason. It’s not the size. Or the crowds. It’s how quickly things feel...
Egyptian Spice Market, Istanbul + Spicy Shopping Guide
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar, also known as the Spice Market or Misir Carsisi in Turkish, is one of the most famous and historic markets...
Best Shopping Malls in Istanbul: Where to Go, What to Expect
Most first-time visitors assume shopping malls in Istanbul are quick, interchangeable stops. Grab a coffee. Buy a few things. Leave. That assumption quietly ruins...