← Istanbul · All sections

07 / 12

07

Shop Istanbul

Streets, centres and stores worth a detour

Shopping streets & districts

Thousands of shops under painted vaults: carpets, lamps, leather, jewellery. Go early and take breaks in the hans.

A short, calmer row of shops behind the Blue Mosque for textiles and ceramics.

İstiklal Avenue

The pedestrian spine of Beyoğlu: bookshops, chains, arcades and the old red tram.

Turkish designers and international labels around Abdi İpekçi Caddesi and its side streets.

Antique and vintage shops on steep lanes below Cihangir; good for old tiles, prints and curiosities.

The Asian side’s long shopping boulevard, with cafés and brands from Göztepe to Suadiye.

Stores worth a detour

Jennifer’s Hamam

Handwoven peştemal towels and textiles made on traditional looms; useful, light gifts.

Check branch before going

Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi

Turkish coffee ground and wrapped to order by the Spice Bazaar since 1871; follow the queue.

Turkish glassware, from tea glasses to coloured çeşm-i bülbül pieces; several city stores.

İznik Classics

Hand-painted İznik-style tiles and ceramics; ask how each piece was made and fired.

Confirm the showroom

A waterfront promenade of shops and cafés beside Istanbul Modern; good on a wet afternoon.

Shopping centres

Shops, a performing arts centre and restaurants in Beşiktaş, linked to the metro.

A large mall with an open-air street and food hall in the north of the city.

An open, canyon-like mall in Levent with curving terraces; easy from the M2 metro.

Ask who made a piece and where. Check materials and shipping. Bargain politely only where invited; respect fixed prices in boutiques and artisan shops. In the bazaars, tea and friendly talk are not a commitment; set a budget and be ready to walk away.

06 Culture, design & architecture

08 Istanbul with children

WundrPath · City guides

Guides · Saved · Privacy