Shopping in Istanbul, Turkey

Old, new, exotic, mundane, antique, kitsch— shopping inIstanbul is all these things and more.

Here's information on currency exchange and how to get the most for your money.

Shops are usually open Monday through Saturday, with some open on Sunday as well. Both the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar are open seven days a week, including on national holidays (except they close on the first day of the multi-day religious holiday periods of Ramazan and Kurban bayrams.)

Grand Bazaar

Everyone knows about the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) with its 4000 shops, but in fact the entire area around it is shopping, shopping, shopping for blocks and blocks. 4000 shops is a mere fraction of the whole picture.

For example, Nuruosmaniye Caddesi, east of the bazaar, is lined with jewelry stores, and fine art boutiques hide in the little side streets off it. More...

Best Shops in the Grand Bazaar:

Ethnicon/Dhoku Carpets

Owner Memet Gureli runs EthniCon and Dhoku in Istanbul to sell some of the highest quality Turkish carpets to consumers from around the world. He is a third generation carpet salesman who has been selling in the Grand Bazaar for 45 years. As the most award-winning rug company in Turkey, EthniCon offers outstanding prices for their Turkish carpets of the highest quality and style without overcharging customers, as many carpet shops do.

Tell Dhoku/Ethnicon Carpets that "Turkey Travel Planner sent you" for best pricing, often times additional discounts, and assurance of an excellent experience because of the valued TTP recommendation!

Iznik Works Ceramics

Iznik Works has been a trusted name in Turkish ceramics for years, located in Grand Bazaar, and featuring a vast selection of reproductions of Seljuk and Ottoman works. There are 4 locations to choose from in the Grand Bazaar so don't miss out on this shop that brings history and traditional artwork together for it's customers.

Tell Iznik Works that "Turkey Travel Planner sent you" for best pricing, often times additional discounts, and assurance of an excellent experience because of the valued TTP recommendation!

Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar

There's also the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar on Eminönü Square facing the Galata Bridge on the Golden Horn, famous not just for its spices, herbs and traditional medicinals, but for healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, jams, pickles, cheeses and lokum (Turkish Delight). More...

Arasta Bazaar

Because of its prime location on the east side of the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, the Arasta Bazaar is thronged with tourists strolling past its shops selling carpets, colored tiles and pottery, clothing, traditional crafts, hamam goods and lots else. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum is in the midst of the bazaar—and below it. More...

Bazaar Walking Tour

Here's a walking tour that takes you from the Grand Bazaardownhill oalong Longmarket Street (Uzunçarşı Caddesi) through the untouristy markets of Tahtakale to the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar, with a stop at the exquisite Rüstem Pasha Mosquealong the way. More...

Shopping for Antiques

This very old city has lots of old things. Many of them are for sale—appropriately—in the neighborhood where Nobel prize novelist Orhan Pamuk set up his Museum of Innocence. More...

Shopping for Carpets

Shopping for carpets? Please read this page first!

Punto Carpets

For over a decade we have seen Punto offering a wide range of high quality, authentic, hand-made rugs as new, antique, and vintage. You will find fine rugs from timeless classics to exotic contemporary in special collections as well. Their antique Turkish and Persian rugs collection has been gathered with the expertise of literally generations.

Tell Punto Carpets that "Turkey Travel Planner sent you" for best pricing, often times additional discounts, and assurance of an excellent experience because of the valued TTP recommendation!