Top 10 Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul

Looking for shopping in Istanbul? Don’t forget to check out this list of the very best places to go shopping in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul is a true shopping mecca with something for everyone (even for the most demanding shopper). Most people probably already heard of the Grand Bazaar with thousands of shops. But Istanbul seriously offers so much more than just that!

In Istanbul, you’ll find a myriad of colorful bazaars, modern shopping streets, huge shopping malls, and exclusive fashion boutiques.

The range of great places to go shopping in Istanbul is huge! If you’re a true shopaholic, you’ll quickly realize that it’s impossible to visit all the amazing places. You must probably pick out a few places to swing your credit card until it glows.

So, if you’re looking for places to go shopping in Istanbul, check out this list of the very best places for shopping in Istanbul. Oh, before you continue, don’t forget to read my travel guide to Istanbul too.

Table of Contents

Best places to go shopping in Istanbul:

1. Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Caddesi is Istanbul’s answer to the Champs-Élysées in Paris and is an extremely popular pedestrian street in Istanbul. In fact, it’s so popular that it can easily be visited by up to three million people in a single day. Thus, it’s definitely Istanbul’s pulsating heart!

The popular pedestrian street stretches all the way from Taksim Square to just north of Galata Tower. Along the pedestrian street, there are densely packed with all sorts of shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and art galleries.

When visiting Istiklal Caddesi, you’ll find a large selection of exclusive designer stores and large store chains such as Mango and Zara. The many charming little side streets and passages also offer a wide selection of smaller specialty shops.

2. Mall of Istanbul

With 350 stores spread over several floors, the Mall of Istanbul is one of the largest shopping malls in Istanbul. Here you can swing the credit card in a large number of international and local store chains.

The many stores in the Mall of Istanbul include Adidas, The Body Shop, H&M, Jack & Jones, Deichmann, Levis, Ecco, Mavi, Loft, and Koton. If you feel hungry, you can visit the food court with lots of restaurants, cafés, and fast-food chains.

The Mall of Istanbul also houses a popular theater with many regular events and Turkey’s largest cinema. Well, and then there’s also a large indoor amusement park in the basement! In fact, it’s Europe’s largest indoor amusement park.

3. Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Here you’ll find more than 4,000 small shops and stalls spread over 61 streets. So yeah, it really is a huge bazaar!

In fact, the Grand Bazaar has previously won the title of the world’s most visited tourist attraction. Therefore, it isn’t that hard to understand why the Grand Bazaar is one of the most popular places to go shopping in Istanbul.

When visiting the Grand Bazaar there’s almost a guarantee that you’ll get lost in the maze of narrow streets. They’re seriously filled with all sorts of goods! Here you can buy everything from clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry to Turkish specialties, rugs, lamps, and souvenirs.

Oh, and remember to negotiate the price. Usually, the price can be negotiated down to half the starting price. So why not start saving money? The Grand Bazaar is clearly one of the very best places for shopping in Istanbul.

4. Abdi Ipekci Caddesi

Abdi Ipekci Caddesi lies in Nisantasi, one of the most exclusive districts of Istanbul. In fact, the area is so exclusive that Abdi Ipekci Caddesi is the street with the highest rent in Istanbul!

Here you’ll find all the major luxury designer stores such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Cartier, Rolex, Prada, and Chanel. Besides designer shops, the exclusive street is also filled with elegant and historic buildings, chic cafes, excellent restaurants, and stylish residents.

A short walk from Abdi Ipekci Caddesi, you’ll find City’s Nisantasi, a great shopping mall in Istanbul with 150 shops. In this mall, the Stores are at the cheaper end of the scale with far more affordable prices.

5. Istanbul Cevahir

Istanbul Cevahir not only has the title of being Turkey’s but also Europe’s largest shopping mall. Here you’ll find more than 280 stores spread over six floors. In addition, the mall also has more than 40 restaurants and fast-food chains.

Inside Istanbul Cevahir, there’s also a large cinema, an IMAX 3D cinema, a theater, and a bowling alley. Downstairs in the basement you can let your inner child free in a large entertainment area.

Here you’ll find all kinds of slot machines and amusements. Oh, and by the way, there’s also a large roller coaster winding through several floors! Say what!? It seems a bit absurd but also pretty cool, right?

Cevahir’s large glass roof also carries the world’s largest clock with figures of 3 meters. The stores in the mall include Top Shop, Vero Moda, Espirit, Zara, Nike, Victoria’s Secret, LTB, and LC Waikiki. Istanbul Cevahir is definitely one of the very best places to go shopping in Istanbul.

6. Bagdat Caddesi

Bagdat Caddesi is Istanbul’s Asian side’s response to Istiklal Caddesi. Here you’ll find a wide selection of great stores. Many of the stores are at the expensive end of the scale consisting mainly of designer stores like Burberry and Louis Vuitton.

When visiting Bagdat Caddesi, you can also find quite normal stores. The more affordable stores are just located in other parts of the street. You can also find a wide selection of popular cafes and restaurants.

7. Istinye Park

Another great place to go shopping in Istanbul is at Istinye Park. In this large shopping mall, you’ll find about 300 stores consisting mainly of expensive stores.

Most of the stores consist of exclusive designer stores such as Chanel, Armani, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Dior. However, you can also easily find quite ordinary stores where you don’t necessarily have to spend all your money.

Istinye Park is divided into two different sections, an outdoor section, and an indoor section. Inside the mall, you can also find many great eateries, a cinema, an IMAX 3D cinema, a gym, and a small bazaar.

8. Egyptian Bazaar

The Egyptian Bazaar is also called the Spice Bazaar and is another popular bazaar in Istanbul. Although far from being as large as the Grand Bazaar, it’s worth a visit when you go shopping in Istanbul.

As soon as you enter the Egyptian Bazaar, you’ll be struck by wonderful scents from the many stalls. Inside the bazaar, the most flavorful spices and a large selection of nuts, dried fruits, and tea are sold. Yummy! It really is a wonderful place that sets all senses in motion.

9. Forum Istanbul

Covering a huge area of almost 500,000 square meters, Forum Istanbul is truly a huge shopping mall in Istanbul! Here you’ll find more than 250 stores ranging from IKEA, ZARA, YKM, H&M, Gratis, Foot Locker, Adidas, Polo, and Mango.

Of course, there are also plenty of great restaurants and fast-food chains. Here you’ll find everything from Sarayi, KFC, Arbys, and Starbucks to MC Donalds, and Burger King. Forum Istanbul is also home to Turkey’s first ice museum, a giant aquarium, a cinema, and much more.

10. Kanyon

Kanyon is one of the most upscale shopping malls in Istanbul. The name comes from the special and creative architecture that is designed as a kind of canyon. Spread over four floors, you’ll find 160 prestigious shops, a cinema, and a fitness center.

The stores in Kanyon include Apple, Gap, MAC, Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Lego Store, and many others. There’s also a great selection of restaurants and cafes, but there aren’t really any fast-food chains. Although Kanyon is an upscale mall, it’s still one of the best places to go shopping in Istanbul.

So, that’s all on this list of the very best places to go shopping in Istanbul, Turkey. The list could easily go on and on. There are seriously endless possibilities to unleash your inner shopaholic. Other great places for shopping in Istanbul include Zorlu Center, Akasya Acibadem, Old Book Bazaar, Marmara Forum, and Akmerkez.

What are your favorite places to go shopping in Istanbul? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Istanbul? Feel free to leave a comment.