Turkey is a true paradise for shopping enthusiasts. Shopping in Turkey brings a lot of positive emotions. Stores and shops here are open until late at night, catering to every last customer. The range of products is impressive, even for experienced shoppers, and the sellers are happy to negotiate.
Features of Shopping in Turkey
Most shops and malls are open from 9:00 to 21:00 with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00. Small souvenir shops and private outlets may be closed on Sundays.
The sales season in Turkey mainly applies to well-known brand stores, which announce discounts at the end of July (lasting until September) and in mid-January (until March).
Where to go shopping in Turkey
Shopping tours in Istanbul
The demand for Turkish goods is so high that special shopping tours to Turkey, primarily to Istanbul, have been organized for many years.
The most vibrant sales festival in Turkey takes place annually in Istanbul in the first decade of June (in 2016, the festival will run from June 6 to 28). Although stores in Istanbul do not usually operate overnight, during the festival, due to the huge influx of shoppers, their doors are open 24/7. Discounts on products during these hot June days can reach up to 70%.
The most popular shopping streets in Istanbul are Istiklal and Laneli.
Shopping in other cities of Turkey
In well-known resort cities such as Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Kusadasi, and their surroundings, the dates of sales in private shops are not officially established.
The main shopping street of Ankara is Tunali and Kizilay Square.
In Antalya, shoppers should visit the New Port.
Popular shopping malls and markets
The main shopping centres and outlets are as follows:
Olivium, Cevahir, Akmerez, Marmara Forum, Canyon in Istanbul. If the first shopping centers are designed for the masses, then the Canyon is exclusively for wealthy buyers;
Migros in Antalya and Kemer;
TerraCity and Deepo Outlet AVM in Antalya;
Allanium in Alanya;
Forum Outlet Ankara in Ankara.
To fully immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Turkish commerce and not just make purchases, it's worth visiting one of the markets. The most distinctive one is the Grand Bazaar Kapali Carsi in Istanbul. Here, you can find over 4,000 different shops.
What to bring from Turkey
Every year, thousands of tourists who have visited this sunny country bring back clothing, accessories, home goods, and edible gifts for themselves and their loved ones.
Clothes and accessories
leather clothing and accessories (bags, belts, wallets). Turkey is famous for relatively cheap leather goods, the price of which is 5-10 times less than the cost of the original ones, and is equal to 50 USD;
knitwear and footwear brands Adilisik, Sumak XL Fashion, Oztas collection, Dilvin and Carla, Philipp Plein, Waikiki;
jewelry brands Altınbaş, Assos, Atasay, Cetaş, Ekol, Favori. The price of the simplest, rings or chains, starts from 50 USD. Original jewelry will cost from 3 USD.
Edible souvenirs
Spices
Special love seasonings for meat and vegetable dishes:
red pepper flakes;
expensive and rare spices saffron, coriander, cinnamon;
Turmeric and thyme, plus nutmeg.
The cost of a gift package of spices is from 5 USD.
Olives and olive oil
It's best to buy fresh olives and olive oil by weight. Turkey is one of the largest producers of olives globally, so it's not surprising that olives and olive oil are popular souvenirs.
Price is from 3 USD for 300 g. The price of 1 liter of olive oil starts from 12 USD.
Sweet Gifts
Branded sweets are the most popular souvenir from Turkey:
Turkish delight - nuts and fruits in milk sugar syrup (from 10 USD per 1 kg);
halva - churned tahini oil made from sesame seeds (from 2 USD per 250 g);
baklava and kadaif - dough soaked in fruit syrup with honey and sprinkled with nuts (from 7 USD per 500 g);
honey (citrus, cottonseed, pine or floral) (from 10 USD per 200 g);
walnut assorted in honey (from 5 USD per 200 g);
jam from rose petals (from 5 USD per 500 g).
When purchasing edible souvenirs, it is important to pay attention to their expiration date.
Other tasty gifts
coffee (the best - Kurukahveci Mehmetefendi - costs from 7 USD per 500 g);
black tea (you will have to pay from 10 USD for 1 kg of one of the best Çaykur teas);
cheese. Türkiye is famous for its variety of cheeses. The cost of white varieties (for example, cheese) is from 5 USD per 500 g. Hard varieties are valued at 4 USD for a similar package.
Hookah and/or tobacco
Turkey has one of the most luxurious ranges of hookahs in the world:
both small (from 12 USD) and large (from 30 USD);
both durable threaded models (from 100 USD) and inexpensive silicone ones.
The best tobacco brands are Tanya and Adalya, with prices starting at $2 USD for a small package.
When purchasing such a gift, it's advisable to check in advance whether the airline allows the transportation of tobacco products.
Homeware
Textile
Turkish textiles (towels, bathrobes, bed linen) start at $20 USD for a gift set. It's recommended to choose products from reputable manufacturers such as Taç, Özdilek, and Altınbaşak.
Dishes
Great gifts for yourself and loved ones include various types of tableware:
souvenirs made of ceramics (plates, original vessels);
utensils for brewing tea - a teapot and cups included;
painted coffee and tea sets;
turks or cezve made of aluminum (from 5 USD) or copper (from 15 USD).
Souvenirs
In addition to traditional cups or fridge magnets, you can bring original souvenirs from Turkey for 1 USD:
lanterns with mosaic shades (from 3 USD);
Turkish amulet "Nazar bondzhuk" in the form of a blue eye that protects from all evil (from 1 USD);
hammam sets - Turkish sauna (from 3 USD);
handmade carpet (from 80 USD). Many local companies provide a delivery service for the selected carpet to almost any country;
handmade cosmetics and natural body care products (Dalan d’Olive, Rosense, Fonex). A unit of a cosmetic product costs from 2 USD. The price of a gift set is from 10 USD.
Often, immigrants from the CIS take with them to their homeland a specific gift for their loved ones - medicines. Medicines in Turkey are much cheaper than in Europe.
Goods prohibited for export
In Turkey, as in many other countries, there are export bans for certain categories of goods:
carpets over a hundred years old, ancient coins and antiques;
shells and corals without a receipt;
exotic representatives of flora and fauna;
drug-based drugs;
jewelry is more expensive than the amount of 15 thousand USD;
more than 5 liters of alcohol or 5 kg of any food;
souvenirs purchased for more than 1 thousand USD.
Turkey is a wonderful country for shopping, where everyone can find practical and useful items as well as delightful trinkets. Remember that in markets and small shops, your initiative in bargaining is welcomed, so don't miss the chance to negotiate a significant reduction from the initial price!
