10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is an indoor market in which over 3,000 stalls and shops line around 60 streets. It dates from the mid-15^th century and still contains several ancient hans or photogenic courtyards which once functioned as inns.

As one of Istanbul’s most famous attractions, the Grand Bazaar receives around a quarter of a million shoppers every day. The range of items on sale is equally impressive. Among the goods found here are jewellery, carpets, kilims, lanterns, textiles and other homewares. Half the fun is getting lost in its labyrinthine streets, though there are plenty of local guides who will lead you around if you’d rather not worry about how to find your way out.

The Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, is a great place to go for a sensory tour of sights and smells. Stroll through its doors and the pungent aromas of cinnamon, cumin, sumac, and chilli launch an assault on your nostrils, leaving you in no doubt where you are.

The market sells more than just spice, however. Heaps of pistachio nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, figs, and dried apricots sit alongside piles of hibiscus, pomegranate and orange tea. You’ll also find sweets such as Turkish delight, and jars of jam and honey. Its 85 traders are happy for you to try before you buy.

Bağdat Caddesi is sometimes simply referred to as The Avenue and is one of the most important thoroughfares in Istanbul. Many big-name retailers are keen to capitalise on the prestige associated with this address.

As a result, along this tree-lined boulevard, you’ll spot international brands such as Zara, Marks & Spencer, H&M and recent arrival Apple. Alongside are some of the biggest names in Turkish retail. Check out Vakko, a fashion house occupying a historic mansion, and Mabel Çikolata, a renowned chocolatier.

Kadıköy’s Produce Market is a daily street market that’s also a riot of colour. Located in the Asian part of the city, this waterfront neighbourhood makes the most of its position on the Sea of Marmara with a chaotic fish market. The area is well known for its fresh produce. You can stroll aimlessly or book a culinary walking tour.

Stallholders line the streets selling nuts, olives, fresh and dried fruit, herbs and vegetables. It’s also a good place to pick up soaps and sponges. Close by, on Tellalzade Street, you’ll find a cluster of dealers hoping to offload mismatched crockery, vintage radios and record players, telescopes and antique furniture.

Istinye Park is one of over a hundred shopping malls in Istanbul where you’ll find 290 stores and 85,250 square metres of retail space. This size makes it one of the largest in the city. Cartier, Gucci, Fendi, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel are represented, as well as a host of other top international brands.

The mall’s centrepiece is the Grand Rotunda. Light and spacious, it sprawls over 4 levels. In contrast, the Bazaar has been styled to reflect traditional Turkish architecture. There’s an IMAX cinema and numerous family-friendly restaurants. Animated water fountains use light and music to create a talking point.

Çukurcuma Antiques District attracts Istanbul’s serious shoppers searching for antiques. This is a treasure trove of all things old: intricately carved pieces of furniture, dusty books, vintage clothing, tapestries and paintings, retro homewares and wooden birdcages.

Most visitors come with an open mind as the joy of antiques-hunting is to stumble upon something you didn’t know you were looking for. The jumble of stuff in the area’s sprawling flea market and its musty stores makes this the ideal location to do just that.

Sahaflar Carsisi is Istanbul’s second-hand book market. Step through a stone archway and you’ll find a cluster of bookstores around a courtyard. Though now housed in a modern structure, the function of this part of the city as a literary hub can be traced back to Byzantine times.

When Türkiye was under Ottoman rule, this was where books, manuscripts and papers would have been published. Today, it’s a fascinating place to browse. Check out the bust of Ibrahim Muteferrika, an 18^th-century diplomat and publisher, which graces the centre of the courtyard. 

Punto is a carpet shop that has been owned and managed by the same family in Istanbul for 5 generations. It carries a wide selection of authentic carpets and rugs, both new and antique. These include pure silk Hereke rugs woven on looms at the prestigious Ozipek and Cinar workshops.

Shoppers will enjoy some of that fabled Turkish hospitality as they learn about the history of carpet-making in the country. Staff members patiently demonstrate the techniques used in the manufacture of carpets and explain how to differentiate between carpets of differing quality.

Istiklal Caddesi is a largely pedestrianised street in Istanbul, save for the vintage tram that rattles its way from Tünel Square uphill to Taksim Square. The street contains a mixture of global brands and independent boutiques, cementing its enduring popularity among visitors and locals.

Keep an eye out for its arcades. Prettiest of all is Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage), once full of flower sellers but now packed with eateries. In fact, the many cafes in this part of the city will be a great welcome when you need to set down your bags for a breather.

Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir is one of Istanbul’s oldest sweet shops, opened in 1777. Many sources claim this is where lokum, commonly known as Turkish delight, was invented. Although no hard and fast proof exists, it seems likely that the technique of blending starch and sugar was perfected here.

Regardless, many different varieties of this popular confectionery are sold here, including rose, pistachio, hazelnut, mint and lemon. You’ll also find halva (a sweet made from tahini and sugar), sugared almonds, hard candies and chocolates.