Best Places to visit for Shopping in Istanbul (Pocket Friendly Edition)
They say that if you visit Istanbul and don’t go for shopping for yourself or for the people that you love, then it’s a pretty much wasted trip to begin with. There are so many places in Istanbul, Turkey that you can go around buying things that would not only match your preferences, but it would also create such memories for the trip you had in Istanbul!
For starters (if this is your first trip to Istanbul), we recommend that for shopping you must visit Taksim Square, Galata Tower, The Grand Bazaar, Terkos Pasajı, City’s Nişantaşı Shopping Center, Local Stores near The Grand Bazaar, The Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre, ÖzdilekPark Istanbul Shopping Mall, İstinye Park Maslak and Akmerkez Etiler. From clothes to decorative and crockery, you can get anything you want based on your liking and preferences.
In this article, we will suggest you some of the best places for shopping in Istanbul that are ranked based on how budget-friendly they are, and that you can go shopping for the stuff that you require in Istanbul based on the best suggestions that we can offer.
Taksim Square
Taksim Square is the most famous place in Turkey and the most central part of Istanbul, which is why it is referred to as the heart of the modern day Istanbul. As the place is very popular among the locals as well as with tourists for shopping, dining or just to simply walk around the streets.
There are many shops, hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. around this place which leaves you with many options to consider.
The place is also very busy and is also very easily accessible by public transport, which will help you save some money along your way to shopping.
What should you shop for:
Based on our recommendations, you should definitely buy Turkish Souvenirs, rugs that are perfectly handcrafted, clothes, jewellery, spices, dry fruits and
and many more! You are left with so many options that you’ll obviously get tired and hungry as well.
For that there are many good cafés, hotels and restaurants around the places, so you can go around shopping without any concern.
When is the best time to visit:
You can visit this place anytime, it is open every day! You can visit the place in the morning, or even afternoon, but we suggest that the best timing to visit Taksim Square would be in the evening till 9 pm.
How to get there?
If you are staying near Taksim Square it is fairly easier to access the place but if you are somewhere else in Istanbul then you can travel with private vehicles or taxis, or you always prefer public transportation as they are a fairly cheaper and viable option.
Galata Tower
Galata Tower, also known as the “Tower of Christ” is a medieval stone tower built back in 1348 and was once the tallest building in Istanbul. This place is very popular and is known for the exceptional panoramic top view, historic monuments, souvenir and boutique shops, cafés, musical instruments, restaurants and hotels.
The shops close to Galata Tower are known to be selling local products especially when it comes to clothes and souvenirs.
What should you shop for:
We recommend that you should prefer buying souvenirs, clothes, musical instruments, handicrafts, coffee, etc. All the things that you can get here are 100% local and are undeniably worth the price they come in for, which will make you think twice before bargaining.
You should also try out the restaurants in the area, as they offer more value, and you can also enjoy the view that comes with the amazing food!
When is the best time to visit:
The tower is open from 8 am to 8 pm and the surrounding places are pretty much open for a longer time, however if you are looking for shopping only then it’s best suggested you visit the place before noon or in the evening.
How to get there?
The place is very easily accessible and that you can visit it with the help of public transport or private vehicles or cabs.
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is perhaps one of the largest and oldest markets not only in Turkey but also in the whole world. There are literally 200,000-400,000 visitors who visit this market on a daily basis. It is also often considered as one of the first ever shopping malls in the world.
The place is known as Istanbul’s top tourist attraction and also for it being a major shopping place since there are many things that are available here which can be a bit difficult to find at other places.
What should you shop for:
The stuff that you should be really buying are handcrafted jewellery, antiques, textiles, carpets, crockery, lamps, ceramics, souvenirs, merchandise, sweets, Turkish tea and many more! You are left with so many things to consider that you might end up confused as to what should you buy first.
You should surely consider buying hammam soap as well! Why? Because not only do they come in different scents and types, but they will also offer you a Turkish bath experience at home. They are also known to be good for your skin and helps exfoliate your skin.
However, it is recommended that you haggle or bargain a lot since some of the things that are available here can be a bit pricey.
When is the best time to visit:
The bazaar is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, and you can visit this place at any time of the day.
How to get there?
You can visit the place by private vehicle or taxis (recommended) or you can use public transports like tramway or metro.
Terkos Pasajı
Terkos Pasajı is a shopping complex located in near the Istiklal street. The place is popular for affordable and cheap clothes.
What should you shop for:
You can shop for clothes in this place, they are mostly replica of branded clothes for all genders. They are very cheap and budget friendly. The place is however, very crowded.
When is the best time to visit:
You can visit the place on Mon – Thu from 12 pm to 8 pm and on Fri – Sun you can visit the place from between 12 pm to 9 pm.
How to get there?
It is recommended you visit the place by private vehicle or taxis, or you can visit the place by public transport.
City’s Nişantaşı Shopping Center
City’s Nişantaşı Shopping Center is well known for being a reasonable fashion and lifestyle centre in Istanbul. The mall is a small shopping centre that has many shops inside it. You can find almost everything in this shopping centre.
There’s a food court on the top floor, so you can also try out the incredible food in there.
What should you shop for:
The mall has almost everything that you might need, there are many shops and brand boutique
When is the best time to visit:
The mall is closed on Sunday, but on the other days the mall is opened from 10 am to 8 pm. You can visit the mall in afternoon and evening.
How to get there?
You can travel by private vehicle, taxi and public transportation service like metro bus or metro.
The Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre
The Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre is a mall that is located in Büyükdere Avenue in the Şişli district of Istanbul, Turkey. The mall has food courts and shops that are of international brands.
Also, if you are with your family then there’s an extensive playing area for kids. There are cafés and restaurants as well that you can try out.
What should you shop for:
The mall is best for brand shopping like clothes, makeup, jewellery, and watches.
When is the best time to visit:
Just like City’s Nişantaşı Shopping Center, the Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Centre mall is closed on Sunday, but is opened on the other days from 10 am to 8 pm. You can visit the mall in afternoon and evening.
How to get there?
You can travel by private vehicle, taxi and public transportation service like bus or metro.
ÖzdilekPark Istanbul Shopping Mall
ÖzdilekPark Istanbul Shopping Mall is located in Esentepe Mah. Büyükdere Cad. No.181 34394 Şişli / İstanbul. It is known for its design that meet environment terms and conditions prescribed by LEED rating system, which makes the mall environmental compatible. The mall is very near to Levent metro station.
The mall is big in stature and like other malls has different kinds of shops inside. It also has a playing area for kids. The mall is also known for its hygiene.
You can also try out the food court too.
What should you shop for:
It is recommended that you shop for clothes and accessories of both international and local brands.
You should also try out the restaurants in the area, as they offer more value, and you can also enjoy the view that comes with the amazing food!
When is the best time to visit:
The tower is open from 8 am to 8 pm and the surrounding places are pretty much open for a longer time, however if you are looking for shopping only then it’s best suggested you visit the place before noon or in the evening.
How to get there?
The place is very easily accessible and that you can visit it with the help of public transport or private vehicles or cabs.
İstinye Park Maslak
Maslak is a shopping mall in Istanbul which was opened in September 2007. The mall is recommended for those who love shopping. The place is also very kids friendly and has many spots for kids to play.
What should you shop for:
You can shop for affordable and medium to high-end brands.
When is the best time to visit:
The mall is closed on Sunday, but is opened on the other days from 10 am to 8 pm. It is best recommended that you visit the mall in afternoon and evening.
How to get there?
You can travel by private vehicle, taxi and public transportation service like bus or metro.
Akmerkez Etiler
Akmerkez Etiler is a shopping mall in Beşiktaş / Istanbul, Turkey, which was opened in December 1993, and is known as the oldest mall in Istanbul, but trust us it does not look like an old mall, that’s how well maintained the place is. Just like many other malls, the place has both local and international brands shops.
There’s also a playground for kids like the other malls have.
What should you shop for:
You can shop for both local and international brands. You can try out fashion accessories like sunglasses, watches, etc. which can be found here. Furthermore, you can also shop for books here as well.
When is the best time to visit:
The mall is closed on both Saturday and Sunday, but is opened on the other days from 10 am to 8 pm. It is best recommended that you visit the mall in afternoon and evening.
How to get there?
You can travel by private vehicle, taxi and public transportation service like metro bus, bus or metro.
Istiklal Caddesi
Istiklal Street is one of the most popular places in Istanbul, nearly 400,000 ~ 600,000 people visit this place over the course of the weekend. The street has boutiques, music shops, bookshops, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, restaurants, etc.
The place is also well-known for both street foods and shopping.
What should you shop for:
There are so many things to look out for in Istiklal street, and the fact that you can get whatever you want here, literally almost anything! But in our opinion you should absolutely shop for clothes and fashion accessories from different brand outlets, Turkish sweets, perfumes, souvenirs, crockery and books. The prices are comparatively low, but you should always give it a try to bargain and try to steal the deal for yourself.
When is the best time to visit:
The shop are open from early morning till late night around 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The place is usually very crowded but the best time to visit this place would be before 9 pm.
How to get there?
The place is very easily accessible and that you can visit it with the help of public transport like bus and metro, or you can prefer using private vehicles or cabs.