Shopping in Istanbul
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A
Koç Deri Leather
If you fancy a leather jacket or coat, Koç is bound to have something that suits. It's one of the bazaar's busiest stores and certainly the most stylish of the leather outlets here.
reviewed
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B
İstanbul Kitapçısı
This bookshop is run by the municipality and as a consequence its prices are very reasonable. It stocks some English-language books about İstanbul, and a good range of maps, CDs, postcards and prints.
reviewed
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C
Pandora
This long-standing independent bookshop has a more recent store on the opposite side of the street that is dedicated solely to English-language books. It has great crime fiction and travel sections, as well as loads of books about Turkey.
reviewed
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D
Galeri Alfa
What makes this store special is its range of charming toy Ottoman soldiers and court figures – even Süleyman the Magnificent has been shrunk to 10cm tall. It also stocks old maps and prints.
reviewed
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E
Ambar
This small organic produce store smells as good as it looks. It stocks free-range eggs, tofu, soy milk and other health foods, as well as a range of stylish earthenware pottery and quality olive-oil soap.
reviewed
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Yörük
This narrow store has a selection of top-quality rugs from the Caucasus and Central Asia, most of them dowry pieces. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable - best of all, they refrain from the hard sell.
reviewed
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F
Arslan Baharat
A good range of spices keeps most travellers happy, but serious shoppers know that this spot has the city's best range of rare natural aromatics such as musk and amber. It also stocks saffron at good prices.
reviewed
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G
Homer Kitabevi
Come here for an unrivalled range of Turkish fiction, plus an enviable collection of nonfiction covering everything from Sufism and Islam to Kurdish and Armenian issues. It stocks children’s books too.
reviewed
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Akmerkez
Once the jewel in the city’s shopping crown, the Akmerkez mall has lost some of its shine, but it still boasts an impressive array of shops, including Beyman, Vakko, Zara, Mothercare and Remzi Kitabevi.
reviewed
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H
Elvis
If you thought Elvis was hiding in the Bahamas, you’re wrong. He’s here, selling a good range of traditional stringed instruments. Nearby İstanbul Müzik Merkezi also stocks a good range.
reviewed
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I
Sema Paksoy
If your jewellery is more statement than investment, Sema Paksoy is your woman. Her chunky pieces crafted from antique silver and semiprecious stones are Ottoman-inspired and lovely. They're pricey but worth it.
reviewed
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Semerkand Suzani
If you fancy the idea of swanning around at home wearing an old kaftan from Uzbekistan or a dowry shirt from Anatolia, this is where you can source them. There are caps, fabrics and lots of lovely pieces to choose from.
reviewed
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J
İpek
The silk ties and scarves sold at this long-established store make great presents, as they don’t take up much of your baggage allowance and are keenly priced. Check out the colourful scarves featuring Ottoman calligraphy.
reviewed
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K
Elacindoruk Nazanpak
It may be small in size, but Elacindoruk Nazanpak is certainly well endowed when it comes to style. It showcases contemporary pieces in silver, gold, felt, paper and other materials created by Turkish and international designers.
reviewed
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L
La Cave Wine Shop
Its enormous selection of local and imported wine makes La Cave a good stop for tipplers. The staff can differentiate a Chablis from a Chardonnay, and though they don't speak much English, they are always happy to give advice on the best Turkish bottles to add to your cellar.
reviewed
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M
Greenhouse Bookshop Cafe
This friendly bookshop stocks the city's best range of books in English about İstanbul and Turkey. There's a huge kids section and a decent fiction section. It's where most of the expats in the know buy their reading matter.
reviewed
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N
Deli Kızın Yeri
Don’t let the name – the Crazy Lady’s Place – put you off. With a cute line of handmade Turkish teddies, dolls and puppets on offer, this is a great place to pick up gifts for the little ones in your life.
reviewed
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O
Design Zone
Contemporary Turkish designers show and sell their work in this attractive boutique. Look out for the super-stylish jewellery and hand-crafted hamam -bowl sets created by owner Özlem Tuna. The varied stock caters to all budgets
reviewed
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P
Cevahir
The massive Cevahir advertises itself as Europe’s largest mall. It’s home to many of the same stores that you’ll find in Metrocity and Akmerkez, as well as familiar UK-based outlets such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge.
reviewed
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Q
Anadol Antik
Fancy a wooden door from an Ottoman house? Or perhaps a ceramic-clad wood stove? This cavernous shop is filled with a hodgepodge of curios and collectables. If you brave the dust and the dim lights you just might find yourself a treasure.
reviewed
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R
İyigün Oyuncak
These guys know what little kids like. And unlike the other stores in town, stock isn't dominated by toy weapons. There's everything from Brio to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with a few educational parent-pleasers thrown in for good measure.
reviewed
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Antique Objet
The cute embroidered slippers sold here make great gifts for friends and family, and the suzani (needlework) pieces are the stuff that we all like to treat ourselves to once in a while. You'll need to rummage, as this place is jam-packed.
reviewed
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S
Yargici
Whether they're aged 15 or 50, İstanbul's men and women love buying clothes, toiletries and accessories at Yargıcı. The clothes are affordable high street styles that are made in Turkey and the accessories are so good they're exported internationally.
reviewed
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Necef
This is where to come for a gorgeous Byzantine-style piece of jewellery in gold or silver with semi-precious stones. The earrings and rings are particularly elegant and are very well priced when one considers their quality. It also sells antique pieces.
reviewed
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T
Mephisto
If you manage to develop a taste for local music while you're in town, this popular store is the place to indulge it. As well as a huge CD collection of Turkish popular music, there's a select range of Turkish folk, jazz and classical music. It also stocks DVDs and has an upstairs cafe.
reviewed