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Top 8 Best Places to Shop in Istanbul

Istanbul is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and multicultural cities in the world. Istanbul has an immense rich tradition of art, craftsmanship, and religion; and is thus a traveler's delight. Istanbul has one of the largest populations of Turkish people outside of the country, and the majority of these people are Christians. Istanbul has a long and colorful history of craftsmanship, ranging from the famous ceramic art of the region to the hand-stitched carpets and kilims that form a large part of traditional Istanbul.

One of the places to head out to while in Istanbul is Taksim, the old quarter of old Istanbul that once was a bustling souk filled with stalls selling everything from spices to carpets. In modern day Istanbul, Taksim is home to some of the most upscale shopping malls in the city. These shopping malls are so much more expensive than the souks, but are still worth a visit just for the atmosphere. The Taksim cards are enormous, taking up nearly an entire wall of one of the city's busiest streets. You can get almost any kind of garment you would like at these stores. Not only do they sell traditional Turkish carpets and kilims, but they also have designer labels from Dubai and Italy.

In terms of souvenirs, the best places to find them are Cengalol and Beyoglu. Cengalol is the biggest market in Istanbul where you will find every imaginable souvenir imaginable from crystal glassware to ceramic tiles and leather goods. Beyoglu is known for its traditional handicrafts, particularly those wares made by women. You can find everything from ceramic bowls to rugs to ceramics here.

If it's traditional carpets or silverware you're looking for, then head over to Beyoglu's wide collection of old-fashioned bazaars or open air bazaar. These wide open streets, or bazaars, once stood out as places for merchants to sell products for less and make a quick profit, but as the government started to develop these areas, they were revamped into beautiful malls that feature a plethora of shops selling souvenirs. Some of these bazaars are open each morning, while others are open during the afternoon.

The last stop on our tour of Istanbul was the old quarter of Beyoglu. Although officially part of the old city, this section of the city is home to some of the city's best designer shops. We found a few stores in the Grand Bazaar, which sells both local and imported clothes, jewelry, leather goods, furniture, accessories, books, papers, food, etc. For some reason, we also found a place in the middle of the Grand Bazaar, which sells coffee from small hand-pans to large espresso machines.

We hope that this short Istanbul tour gave you a good idea of some of the best places and shopping districts to shop in Istanbul. Istanbul is a diverse and fascinating place with an extremely diverse culture and history. There are so many things to do and see in Istanbul that your days will seem longer than the weeks they really are. Don't forget to plan your vacation to Istanbul well in advance, as it's hard to go to Istanbul without doing some shopping.