Istanbul is an excellent place for buying almost everything; from traditional souks and bazaars to numerous shopping malls. From the most glamorous designer clothes you can think of to antiques, souvenirs or any thing that is exclusive to this city, you will find it here. Shopping facilities make it possible for each individual to spend as much time and money as possible; they could buy clothes for the elite and mass products for souvenirs. In this article, we are to focus on several shops, which are considered to be the most popular among tourists and which sell souvenirs suggesting Istanbul’s multi-layered ethnic characteristics.
1. Istiklal Caddesi
Istiklal Caddesi, which is compared to the famous Champs Élysée of Paris is one of the magnificent pedestrian malls in Istanbul. It lightly covers the Istiklal street which extends from Taksim Square to Galata Tower where shoppings, eating houses and recreations facilities are sited. People find it easy to visit the street due to the business activities surrounding it and it can host as many as three million visitors in a single day.
Therefore, the beauty of Istiklal Caddesi cannot be operationalized simply because of a specific attribute. Major stores, both domestic and international brands are located along the main street and therefore its a shopper’s haven. There is everything ranging from high-end luxury brands, to mid-range brands such as Mango and Zara. Streets, located next to tenants, and narrow pathways lead to a range of narrow stores offering specialized products that could include such things as gifts, jewelry, clothes, handmade crafts, and even rare retro clothing. This variety makes this Istiklal Caddesi not merely a shopping avenue, but a cultural stroll, an aspect seen in the symbolizing of Istanbul.
Istiklal Caddesi is also well known for its food and beverages services which are also found all round the place. Many small cafes, restaurants, and bakeries are situated on or near the street; you can savor everything from a cup of tea and baklava to dishes of global cuisine. Night life carries on on this road as day changes to night and more specifically the bars, night clubs and music halls open. Istiklal Caddesi is, indeed, the epitome of the dynamic and multicolored facet of Istanbul, where everybody will find the rhythm of the city.
2. Mall of Istanbul
If one wants a mall that is timely, then there’s no better place than the Mall of Istanbul. Being one of the biggest shopping centers in the city, it extends over 350 stores in several levels. This large mall has virtually everything that a shopper would need in a single place and in one setting. Fashion and luxury goods, shoes, clothing, accessories, jewelry, watches, Turkish and world-renowned brands, Starbucks, H&M, Zara, LC Waikiki, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Toys “R” Us, C&A, Mango, Cover Story and many more.
The subject mall appropriately called the Mall of Istanbul is not just a shopping center, it also has numerous entertainment facilities. The food court has become a specialty area in the outlet in that it houses many shops, cafeterias, eateries, fast foods among others. When it comes to dining, be it traditional Turkey food or other foreign cuisines, you will be spoilt for choice.
Some of the interesting options that are distinguishable at the mall are in the department of entertainment. It contains the biggest cinema theater of Turkey, the well-frequented theater for live shows and the biggest indoor fun fair of Europe. The Amusement park located in the basement is very popular with families and children and has rides and other games that can be extremely entertaining for hours. The Mall of Istanbul is not only about shopping; it is entertainment and leisure centre, which means that one can spend the whole day there.
3. Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is known all over the world ad without doubts is one of the most significant sightseeing in Istanbul for a shopping lover. Anchorage: This is one of the largest and oldest covered markets there is, and gives the experience of shopping as it was in centuries ago. There are 61 streets connecting more than 4,000 shops and stores that comprise the Grand Bazaar, so the crowed is rather lively.
Most of what you can imagine is within the Grand Bazaar; it sells almost anything you can think of. It is popular for authentic Turkish items such as carpets, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and spices among others. However, each part of the bazaar focuses on specific categories of products, which simplifies orientation even with its immense scale. For example, one section may encompass the species of leather accessories such as belts and bags and another section may be dedicated for gold trinkets. In simplifying the shopping experience, this organization makes it possible for a customer to locate what they are in need of or a souvenir of their own preference.
Specifically, it is important to mention that the actual purchase of goods in the Grand Bazaar implies bargaining. Barter and haggling are parts of the culture, and thus almost everything has an aspect of bargaining. This rather appeals to many visitors as it increases the fun and excitement of shopping here. Friendly discussions with the shopkeepers make the prices come down easily by cutting down the initial prices by at least half. Though it’s an indoor market that people go to buy necessities or souvenirs, Grand Bazaar is so much more; those who are lucky enough to spend a day or two in this market are privileged to get an insight of Istanbul’s colourful past.
4. Abdi Ipekci Caddesi
Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is situated in Nisantasi, rightly considered as one of the best-preferred zones of Istanbul. This street is popular for quality products, expensive brands and utensens, and is completely different from the markets and bazaar of the city. Purchasing central Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is predominantly a street with many luxury fashion retailers and designer stores that sum up the destination’s appeal to worldwide fashion lovers.Many of these shops are of the biggest international elite brands such as LV, Dior, Gucci, and Chanel, etc. These luxury stores are situated in classy structures that are in harmony with rest of the atmosphere of the location. Again even if one is not interested in making a purchase, a walk along Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is a foray into understanding high-fashion in Istanbul.
Especially that many of the stores’ façade and windows are exhibits of well-thought architecture and art that is a sight to behold when it comes to designer wear.
Similarly, cafes and restaurants, which constitute other parts of Abdi Ipekci Caddesi, are luxurious. These are good for moments when one gets tired and needs to rest for some time in between shopping, and can grab some good food or coffee. It is also filled with pedestrians where folks go for a peek into the glamorous lives of Nisantasi’s people. Adjacent to Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is City’s Nisantasi, which contrasts with the glitzy street shopper, by providing a number of cheap retail outlets to accommodate the large diverse population within the country.
5. Istanbul Cevahir
Information concerning Istanbul Cevahir need imply that it is merely the largest shopping center in Turkey but one of the largest in Europe. This gigantic mall provides shoppers with the largest shopping experience they could ever imagine with over two hundred and eightieth stores basins six floors. Istanbul Cevahir shopping mall targets a broad audience maintaining all the leading brands as well as outlet ranges.
Present retail brands in the mall are also of global affluence and others are of Turkey such as Zara, Nike, Victoria’s secret and many more. This having made easy for the buyers to be able to get whatever they want ranging from clothes to electronics, to house hold items. Apart from being a shopping mall, Istanbul Cevahir boasts of excellent restaurants in a rather large number. Mall has large number of restaurants and fast foods joints, which are over forty, so the guests can taste absolutely everything that can be offered to them.
Similar to many contemporary shopping malls across the globe, entertainment is another common attribute of Istanbul Cevahir. There is an IMAX 3D cinema, a bowling alley and plethora of entertainment with games arcade and rides in the large entertainment zone. One of the easiest to notice is the glass roof that houses what is arguably the largest clock in the world. It was mentioned above, that the clock has ‘larger than life’ numbers, three meters in length and of course this visually enhances the mall’s appearance. The mall commodity doesn’t just stop at shopping, Istanbul Cevahir contains a myriad of entertainment options that can keep any visitor busy for the whole day.
6. Bagdat Caddesi
Similarly, Bagdat Caddesi is also a long street filled with trees which is in the Asian side of Istanbul and shoppers find all sorts of shopping styles here. Said to be similar to the Istiklal Caddesi, Bagdat Caddesi is among the most active commercial arteries of the city. This avenue runs for several kilometers and is filled with stores, cafes, and restaurants; thus, it is always a busy place.Bagdat Caddesi has anything from luxurious international labels all the way down to commercial malls. Names such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton are familiar here because this place offers the latest in fashion accessories and clothes. Still it has all kinds of middle range stores and local outlets and therefore can be said to be more suitable for the majority of users.
That is why Bagdat Caddesi can be considered as the unique area for shopping for locals as well as for tourists because it is a home to luxurious brand stores and little shops for everyday use.
Apart from shopping, Bagdat Caddesi is famous for food and dining service provision for the residents. Street is fully equipped with comfortably numerous number of cafes and restaurants serving light snacks to the gourmet dishes. There is plenty of walking space and overstuffed bench formations to sit on and plenty of street life viewing on the avenue. From shopping for the new style or for any other goods, to just strolling leisurely, Bagdat Caddesi must be considered as an entertaining experience.
7. Istinye Park
One of the other popular malls located in Istanbul is Istinye Park which is also believed to be rather luxurious and is designed in a modern style. The mall has about 300 stores, and its main aim is to work with luxurious brands. Many brands of clothing are represented in Istinye Park including Chanel, Armani and Burberry are the most trendy and famous brands originally offering luxury clothing.
The mall is divided into two main sections: enclosed environment and an open-air conceptual “Lifestyle Center.” The enclosed component has a minimalist, modern aesthetic with extra-wide aisles and superb facades. Here is both higher end stores for those who prefer to shop at European place, and lower end stores for those who prefer to shop at American place. The second outlet, known as the outdoor Lifestyle Center, has a cooler ambience and is characterized by a completely open-air design with cafes and restaurants and a very nice garden.
Entertainment facilities can also be found in Istinye Park. The mall also has a cinema facility, which consists of the modern IMAX 3D screen, thus being a point of interest for the cinema lovers. Besides, Istinye Park contains a gym and a bazaar where various objects produced and sold by the locals are placed. The organization of the mall that contains the aspects of luxury shopping, eating places, and entertainment makes it a one-stop center for anyone who wants a touch of luxury.
8. The Egyptian Bazaar
The Egyptian Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar, is relatively a small but as photogenic market or the souk as the locals call it compared to the grand bazaar. This covered market is situated in Eminönü and is well-known for the ostentatious use of spices, herbs and more. Hypnotic here is the smell of spices and colors dominate everything that is offered at the bazaar and anything that is selling.
Much like everything else in Turkey, strolling through the Egyptian Bazaar engages all the senses. It was possible to meet almost any shop selling a huge variety of goods, from spices and teas to dried fruit and nuts. It is also a good place where many vendors sell traditional sweets, including baklava and the famous Turkish delight. The bazaar is not basically a marketplace where people go to purchase all they require; it is a marketplace where the people can learn and interact on the history of Turkey’s food.
Though mainly associated with spices and grains and nuts and other forms of food products the Egyptian Bazaar also sells fabrics, pottery and other artefacts. One of the significant advantages of the market as opposed to the Grand Bazaar is that it is much less extensive, and it does not feel like a maze to visitors; thus, the latter can enjoy the atmosphere and take their time while strolling through the market. If one is passionate about cooking or just obsessed with spices or if one is a tourist who would love to购 some souvenirs, then Egyptian Bazaar is the ideal place.
9. Forum Istanbul
Forum Istanbul is one of the largest shopping complexes where shoppers can shop for almost everything, eat and be entertained. Measuring at 480,000 meter square this mall is among the largest in Istanbul, and boasts a retail space of over 250 shops. Forum Istanbul shopping arcade is established to meet the different classes and even the different economic classes thus making it a unique shopping centre for the serving of different classes of people.
It presents many brands, therefore, is easy to find here the necessary thing, where shopping can be done due to the available brands like IKEA, Zara, H&M as well as local and foreign shops. Forum Istanbul is on of the largest malls of Turkey and it contains virtually everything you can think of starting from fashion to home appliances and electronics. The facilities of the mall in this regards include food court and restaurants offering fast foods, first fusion and other classes of foods.
Broken down by category, Forum Istanbul has many interesting activities aside from shopping and eating: This mall contains Turkey’s first ice museum, ice sculptures that are carved and an ice bar. There is also a large hall for the aquarium where people can have the opportunity to see various sea creatures and for the movie lovers there is a cinema theater. Because Forum Istanbul integrates shopping, dining, as well as entertainment, it is a one-stop-shop for peoples’ day outing.
10. Kanyon
Kanyon is one of the most unusual shopping malls as regards architecture among the shopping units existing in Istanbul. The name ‘Kanyon’ directly translates to canyon in Turkish and the architecture of the mall was designed in the form of a canyon. Subjects containing common designing aspects are the interlinked concept of the open-air design where the walls are not very straight, and the shopping centre has different levels.
The mall that is accommodated comprises of 160 shops, which acts a combination of global and regional ones. The type of goods being sold in Kanyon is diverse enough to accommodate the range of lifestyles from haute couture to laid back. Some of the main commodities that are featured in this domain are Apple, Gap as well as The Body Shop. Retail space with excellent visibility is another; there is a gym and many stores with health and beauty products.
Eating in Kanyon is not just a meal, it is more like a trip. The mall also has provision of numerous restaurants and cafes, local and intercontinental meals, and accommodation of Turks. However, as opposed to most other shopping malls, there are not a multitude of fast-food franchise restaurants in Kanyon and the restaurants themselves seem to be of a higher class. This architecture and nature of the establishments that are housed in the mall make shopping and leisure a special affair in Istanbul.