Istanbul is literally a shopping heaven for tourists. You too can spare a day or two to enjoy shopping to the fullest extent while staying in Istanbul to discover this city’s unique values.

The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, located at the heart of tourism, the Historical Peninsula, offer a wide range of variety in terms of authentic products. The Grand Bazaar is the first one to come to mind in Istanbul when it comes to shopping. Spices, authentic products, jewelry, and hand woven rugs are the prominent products of this historic bazaar. It is also possible to negotiate on the price of the products while shopping in this bazaar.

Do not forget to buy souvenirs from your trip to Istanbul for your family and friends. You can review the Istanbul themed objects, traditional jewelry, and woven goods.

You can find a lot of shops and on-street stands in Galata and Ortakoy that offer ideal solutions for those who are looking for souvenirs.

Shopping in Istanbul caters to all kinds of preferences to the most luxurious experiences. In Istanbul, it is possible to find a wide range of options from Bagdat Avenue to Nisantasi to shopping centers, and from Laleli to Merter.

SHOPPING CENTERS

There are at least a few large shopping centers in every district of Istanbul. Some areas even contain as plenty as two or more in each district. Shopping centers are found among the frequented places of shopaholics visiting Istanbul.

AVENUES AND STREETS, CENTERS OF FASHION

The area between Bostanci and Kiziltoprak at Bagdat Avenue found in the Anatolian side of Istanbul is an irresistible choice for shopping fans. In the avenue where the stores of many national and international brands are located, you can add more to the joy of the day while getting some rest in the restaurants and cafés that cater to all kinds of tastes.

Nisantasi is the center of fashion according to the majority of Istanbul. Small boutiques, multistory chain stores where you can catch up with the global trends and luxury brands are located along Abdi Ipekci, Tesvikiye Avenue and Valikonagi.

It can also be said for Galata that it has become the center for young designers and indie boutiques. Stores that display the collections of Turkish designers are found in Serdar-I Ekrem Street. Boutiques can be visited along Galip Dede Avenue, Camekan Street, and Galata Square.

PLACES FOR SHOPPING

In Istanbul, you can also find many flea markets, shopping streets and second-hand shops that can be visited for a shopping experience.

The economic apparel stores in Istanbul allow those with bargaining skills to buy products at a fraction of the real price.

At Merter, where economic apparel stores that allow shopping by wholesale or by retail are located one after another, shopping can be done at an affordable price.

There are shops, shopping centers, and stores where you can find custom designed products in Istiklal Avenue of Beyoglu, one of the most popular and colorful avenues of Istanbul. Apart from these, there are also passages at the avenue that offer everything you are looking for from apparels to souvenirs.

These passages in Istiklal Avenue are: Atlas Passage, Aznavur Passage, Halep Passage, and Hazzopulo Passage.

Atlas Passage

The shops with colorful windows found inside are popular places for shopping. Clothing and jewelry stores predominantly stand out in this cute passage.

Address: Istiklal Caddesi 131, Beyoglu.

It is open every day, between 08.00-23.00.

Aznavur Passage

Constructed in the early 1900’s, the passage is among the frequented centers of Istanbul since the restoration done in 1994 by staying faithful to its original form. There are 28 stores in the passage. Hand crafted jewelry and bags, and second-hand clothing and accessories are sold at the ground floor and basement.

Address: Asmali Mescit, Istiklal Caddesi 106, Beyoglu.

It is open every day, between 10.00-01.00.

Hazzopulo Passage

Hazzopulo Passage is one of the places that reflect the oldest spirit of Taksim. The passage is located at right side while passing Galatasaray High School going down Istiklal Avenue. Accessory, perfume and bag shops, and the bookstore will make you lose track of time.

Address: Istiklal Cad. Hazzopulo Pasaji No: 116, D:No:31/B, 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul

Halep Passage

Aleppo Passage, which many of us just pass by, is one of the most dynamic and oldest passages of Beyoglu. A CD shop and a silversmith’s store welcome you at the entrance. When you walk further into the passage, you can find silver accessory aisles besides the store where various watches of famous brands are sold. There are also a shop producing printed t-shirts, poster vendors and economic clothing shops with colorful windows on the front.

Address: Huseyinaga Halep Pasaji Istiklal Caddesi, D:No:62, 34435 Beyoglu/Istanbul

Taksim-Terkos Passage

It is located in Istiklal Avenue, inside the dead-end Terkos Street. It is one of the most well-known stops for shopping in Istanbul.

Address: Asmali Mescit Mah. Istiklal Caddesi, Terkoz Cikmazi Sokak, Beyoglu-Taksim

Europe Passage

There are colorful ceramic goods, old 45’s, Turkish fabrics, souvenirs, gauze clothes and rugs with authentic patterns in the passage that resembles a fair area in Balikpazari.

Consisting of pretty shops found across a long corridor, the passage stands out with the variety of souvenirs in terms of choices and colors.

Europe Passage, where products such as miniatures, Ottoman accessories, antique objects, silverware, foreign books on Turkey and various apparels are also found, offers you a pleasant and nostalgic journey.

Address: Huseyinaga, Mesrutiyet Cad. No:8, 34435 Beyoglu/Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar

In the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered market, there is a wide range of products consisting of delights, woodenware, accessories and ornaments, carpets, rugs, historical products, silverware and gold products, and apparels. Spread over a total area of 110 thousand 868 m², the bazaar has 45 thousand m² of covered area, and 14 inns and 3600 shops over 65 streets. Despite undergoing many changes today, it is still possible to understand what was being done at the inns and streets of the Grand Bazaar by knowing their names.

Gates: Beyazit, Carsikapi, Cuhacihan, Kuyumcular, Mahmutpasa, Nuruosmaniye, Oruculer, Sepetcihan, Takkeciler, Tavukpazari and Zenneciler.

Inns: Aga Alipasa, Astarci, Balyaci, Bodrum, Cebeci, Cukur, Cuhaci, Hatipemin, Iccebeci, Imamali, Kalcilar, Kapilar, Kasikci, Kebapci, Kizlaragasi, Mercan, Perdahci, Rabia, Safran, Sarnicli, Sarraf, Sepetci, Sorguclu, Varakci, Yagci, Yolgecen, Zincirli and Evliya.

Phone: +90 212 519 12 48

Email: dernek@kapalicarsi.org.tr

Address: Kapalicarsi Esnaflari Dernegi, Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22, Kapalicarsi Beyazit Istanbul

Arasta Bazaar

One of the markets that survived from the Ottoman Era, Arasta Bazaar is located behind the Blue Mosque. There are about seventy shops in the bazaar where carpets, rugs, accessories, clothing and hand crafted products are sold. Though, the souvenir shops are not the only special thing of Arasta Bazaar; there is also a museum inside where the mosaics that were unearthed in the excavations in 1930’s are displayed. It is possible to see some of the most unique mosaic works of the world in the museum known as the Museum of Great Palace Mosaics or Arasta Bazaar Mosaics Museum.

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Kabasakal Cad. No:59, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul

The Spice Bazaar

One of the best-known markets of Istanbul, the Spice Bazaar is located near the New Mosque in Eminonu. Different spices, souvenirs, dried fruits, honey, household items or products designed specifically for Istanbul can be purchased here. In the Spice Bazaar, which is a popular place visited by tourists, there is also a flower market, a fish market, and fruit and vegetable vendors.

The Spice Bazaar – Working Hours:

Open: 08.00 Closed: 19.30

Days Closed: Closed on October 29 and all religious holidays.

Address: Misir Carsisi No: 92 Eminonu – Fatih / Istanbul /

Email: info@misircarsisi.org.tr

Flea Markets to See in Istanbul

Kucukpazar Flea Market

The historical Kucukpazar, found between Eminonu and Balat, is set up every Saturday.

Address: Kucukpazar, Eminonu

Horhor Antiquarians’ Market

The first place to be thought of when it comes to antiquarians, Horhor Antiquarians’ Market contains more than 200 antique shops. The building with 7 stories is the largest antiquarian market of the world.

Address: Iskenderpasa Mahallesi, Kirma Tulumba Sokak, No: 1, Fatih

Kadikoy Antiquarians Street

It is a place that brings antiquarians together. The market is set up on Saturdays.

Address: Goztepe Mahallesi, Ozgurluk Parki Girisi, Kadikoy

Dolapdere Flea Market

Everything here has a lot of variety. It can be visited on Sundays.

Address: Yenisehir Mahallesi, Haci Ilbey Sokak, No: 13, Beyoglu

Ferikoy Antique Market

Ferikoy Antique Market is set up at the early hours of each Sunday. It is possible to visit the market until 7-8 in the evening.

Address: Silahsorler Caddesi, Lale Sahin Sokak, Sisli

Second-Hand Booksellers

The best second-hand booksellers for book enthusiasts and those wanting to buy books are found in Kadikoy, Beyoglu and Beyazit. “Aslihan Passage” in Beyoglu and “Sahaflar Old Book Market” in Beyazit, containing shops of all sizes, can be visited for book shopping.

Electronic Devices

You can find electronic devices of all types at Dogu Bank, which is considered as one of the largest discount centers of Turkey, besides the regular shopping centers when it comes to electronic device shopping.