Istanbul is an excellent shopping hub. All Turks go there to shop, as well as foreigners. Believe it or not, some people travel to Istanbul just to shop!
The historical charm of Istanbul is one of the most fantastic parts of the city that attracts people from all over the world to visit.
However, there are many other reasons, such as the shopping experience in Istanbul. Shopping makes the city a competitive rival among many other metropolises. Istanbul has become a shopping destination for everyone from the east and west.
If you plan to visit Istanbul and are looking for places to shop, we have listed some local secret passages and bazaars to let you experience an authentic shopping experience.
Why is Istanbul a shopping hub?
Various reasons make Istanbul the center of shopping. Some of them are as follows:
- Turkey produces cotton in multiple regions, allowing the country to have a developed textile industry
- Istanbul is the center of fashion in the country
- There are many factories nearby Istanbul manufacturing various local products
- The workforce is relatively cheap in Turkey
- Turkish people are very talented and hardworking, and they produce excellent goods
- Thanks to its strategic location, Istanbul is a massive harbor for goods sent from China to Europe
- Istanbul has local and imported goods
Why do tourists shop in Istanbul?
As one of the fascinating destinations worldwide, Istanbul has many streets and bazaars full of luxury brands and local shops.
With almost 10 million tourists visiting Istanbul per year, Istanbul is absolutely an attraction for foreigners who would like to both see historical sites and also do some shopping.
It has big-name brands and worldwide trends with an extensive range of local products that will make your trip a fantastic experience with the best prices and deals.
Where should I go shopping in Istanbul?
If you want to discover where to go shopping in Istanbul, we have listed the best passages and bazaars, including luxury brands and local shops with traditional products in Istanbul.
Whether you buy a hand-made super Turkish carpet or a fashionable outlet Zara top, Istanbul’s bazaars and passages have them all at affordable prices.
Top 6 passages and bazaars in Istanbul
Here are the top six shopping spots you should visit in Istanbul.
1. Istiklal Street
Istiklal Street is the city’s heart. The street starts from Taksim Square and ends in Galata Tower. It is an ideal spot to buy clothes and souvenirs from boutiques and small shops at meager prices. Plus, International high-street brands are also available.
As a mostly pedestrianized spot, Istiklal Street also includes several arcade passages inside the street’s neoclassical buildings. The most popular ones are in the following sections.
Moreover, you can find most of the known brand fashion shops and even a proper shopping mall on your walk down to Galata.
2. Atlas Passage
On Istiklal Street in Taksim, Atlas Passage is in the middle of the street with many low-cost shopping places. The entrance to the passage is a big door and a famous old cinema named after the passage.
Here you can find products from famous brands such as Zara, Bershka, Topshop, and more at affordable prices.
There are also some talented tattoo artists in this passage, so if you want to make your visit memorable, consider getting a tattoo.
3. Terkos Passage
Terkos Passage is another historic arcade passage located on Istiklal Street, Taksim. It is a cul-de-sac gathering of small shops selling textiles from various brands that mainly export surplusses and outlet clothes.
Since it gets very crowded, especially late afternoon and evening, try to visit this passage in the morning to avoid an uncomfortable shopping experience. Otherwise, you’ll have to get into a race with Turkish teyzes (meaning aunt in Turkish).
4. Grand Bazaar
As Turkey’s most well-known shopping destination, Grand Bazaar needs no description. It has been in business since the 15th century and is still one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist attractions.
As the medieval version of modern shopping malls, Grand Bazaar hosts more than 4000 stores selling Turkish crafts, carpets, handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and much more. As inferred, you can find any product you are looking for in this bazaar.
Since it is vast and very crowded in rush hours, we suggest you visit Grand Bazaar in the early morning to enjoy all the shopping arcades interconnected throughout the passages.
5. Mahmut Pasha Bazaar
If you manage to reach one of the southern gates of Grand Bazaar after hundreds of visits to small shops and finally you are outside, do not assume this was the only Turkish shopping experience. It just keeps getting spicy.
Mahmut pasha stands between Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, with its tiny and crowded streets packed with local textiles and party commodities.
You’ll see a lot of local people shopping here. Not only the locals from Istanbul but also Turkish people from all over Turkey come here to shop, especially for special days such as engagement parties and weddings.
6. Spice Bazaar
Dating back to the 17th century, Spice Bazaar is also one of Istanbul’s oldest and most famous. There are more than 100 local shops in Spice Bazaar, which welcomes around 30 thousand visitors daily.
According to historical records, in the 17th century in Ottoman Empire, the upper floor used to be a court, and tradespeople and the public used to resolve their problems there.
Today those local shops still sell various spices, herbs, natural medicines, rare plant roots or seeds, delicatessen products, and much more.
Do you want to see and buy spices and herbs you have never heard of? Then, you should definitely check out Spice Bazaar.
Final tips for shopping in Istanbul
Istanbul is a unique place for many reasons. Shopping in Istanbul has particular importance because Istanbul has always been a massive marketplace for every traveler passing from west to east and east to west.
Bargaining is a tradition in Turkey. They even relate it to the religion, saying Mohammed also used to bargain. So even for small amounts, both the seller and the buyer feel satisfied if the final price is down.
If the good is negotiable, he’ll give you some hints. For example, if you want to buy a leather jacket or carpet and he offers you Turkish tea, it means the lengthy negotiations are about to start.