Shopping in Istanbul

Your visit to Istanbul will not be complete without shopping. The city is popular for vintage, exotic, kitsch and new items mixed with both traditional items and modern Turkish things. Goods can be found in malls, boutiques, pasaj, pazars, bazaars and street vendors, covering a wide range of prices. If your shopping feet are itching, here are your shopping options:

1. The grand Bazaar – Shopping in Istanbul means visiting the “Grand Bazaar”, a venue with over 4,000 shops to choose from and thousands of items to purchase. You’re eyes would go wild with choices of international brands and locally made items. Check out the eastern part of the bazaar, the Nuruosmaniye Caddesi, if you’re looking for authentic jewelries and art pieces.

2. Pazars – Pazars are set at least once a week in various places of Istanbul. Shopping hours usually start at 9 am and closes up until dark. If you want bargains on any item possible, must-visit pazars include the Cumartesi Pazari of Besiktas and Bakrikoy open on Saturdays, the Carsamba Pazari of Yesilkoy and Fatih open on Wednesdays and the Sali Pazari of Kadikoy open on Tuesdays. However, be aware that pazars can be extremely crowded, so make sure to look after your purse and valuable items.

3. Pasaj – The town’s arcades, also called mini-malls, are scattered around the city. If you prefer to buy products from department stores, a Pasaj is a great alternative.

4. Sabit Pazar – The Municipalities usually hold Sabit Pazars on small, covered shops on the streets. Goods like cigarettes, spirits, pastries, delicatessen and poultry can be bought at a low price, but a bit more expensive than the weekly Pazars. However, Sabit Pazars only closes once a month, depending on the municipality.

I would recommend visiting the Egyptian Spice Market, the chic shops of Nisantasi, the boutiques around Beyoglu and other shopping establishments in and around the city. Regardless of where you plan to shop, make sure to brush up on bargaining as most shops can give you discounts on certain items.