Shopping in Istanbul
Istanbul is a shopping capital, and throughout its streets, you'll find hundreds of artisanal shops, with fashion, food, and even knock-offs. Discover what to buy in Istanbul and which are the best shopping areas in the city.
Typical Istanbul Products
Rugs
Rugs are perhaps the best-known product in Turkey. In Istanbul, you'll find rugs at a variety of prices and quality. To avoid possible problems at the airport, don't forget to ask for the bill and bring it with you when passing through customs.
Antiques
Although the majority of the antiques on offer at stores in Istanbul will be knock-offs, if you find an object that's more than 100 years old, to take it out of Turkey, you'll need an export license from the Provincial Museum—a difficult document to acquire.
Fake Clothes
Istanbul is a hub for quality fake clothes. One of the best places to find all your fake luxury items is Cadircilar Caddesi, a street to the west of the Grand Bazaar, where copyright laws take a backseat to low prices.
Turkish Delight & Baklava
Turkish delight and baklava are the two typical Turkish desserts, and both are reasonably cheap and a perfect gift to bring home from your trip to Istanbul. You'll find dessert shops throughout Istanbul.
Other Food Products
Nuts, tea, cheese, and spices are some of the traditional ingredients of Turkish cuisine. In Istanbul, you can buy spices such as saffron at really reasonable prices.
Although you're sure to find hundreds of stalls and markets in Istanbul, there are two markets that are absolutely essential for any visitor:
Unmissable Markets in Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
