18 of the best · Istanbul, Türkiye
Carpets, lokum, coffee and copper: shopping in the world’s oldest marketplace.
Our 18 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Browse by type
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Istanbul.
A city under one roof
One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with more than 60 streets of shops. Closed on Sundays.
Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Caddesi, FatihExplore View on map
The city’s smartest streets
The elegant district of designer boutiques, Turkish fashion houses and cafés around Abdi İpekçi Caddesi.
Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
Turkey’s luxury department store
The Nişantaşı flagship of Beymen, Turkey’s best-known luxury department store, on Abdi İpekçi Caddesi.
Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
Bazaars and bargaining.
The back story
Carpets and kilims, İznik-style ceramics, copper, gold, Turkish coffee, lokum and spices: Istanbul has been the world’s market for centuries, and shopping here is an art.
Nişantaşı and Bağdat Avenue.
The Asian side’s smart avenue
The long, elegant avenue running east from Kadıköy parallel to the sea, lined with shops, cafés and restaurants.
Bağdat Caddesi, KadıköyExplore View on map
The city’s smartest streets
The elegant district of designer boutiques, Turkish fashion houses and cafés around Abdi İpekçi Caddesi.
Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
İstinye Park, Zorlu, Kanyon, Galataport.
A promenade on the Bosphorus
The waterfront cruise port and promenade at Karaköy and Tophane, with shops, cafés, Istanbul Modern and the Museum of Painting and Sculpture.
Kılıçali Paşa, Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
An open-air bazaar street and luxury brands
A large mall in İstinye with luxury brands, an open-air street and a food market hall.
İstinye, SarıyerExplore View on map
An open-air canyon of shops
An award-winning open-air mall in Levent, built as a curving canyon of shops on several levels.
Büyükdere Caddesi No:185, Levent, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
Luxury brands and theatres
A large mixed-use complex in Beşiktaş with luxury and international shops, restaurants, Zorlu PSM and Raffles.
Levazım, Koru Sokağı No:2, BeşiktaşExplore View on map
Beymen and Vakko.
Turkey’s luxury department store
The Nişantaşı flagship of Beymen, Turkey’s best-known luxury department store, on Abdi İpekçi Caddesi.
Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
A Turkish fashion house since 1934
The Turkish fashion house founded in 1934, known for its silk scarves, with stores in Nişantaşı and across the city.
Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
Made in Türkiye.
Kutnu, the silk-cotton of Gaziantep
A Turkish label reviving kutnu, the traditional striped silk-and-cotton weave of Gaziantep, in fashion and accessories.
Nişantaşı, ŞişliExplore View on map
Covered markets and curios.
A quiet bazaar behind the Blue Mosque
A row of shops in the old arcade of the Blue Mosque complex, with carpets, ceramics and textiles.
Arasta Çarşısı, Sultanahmet, FatihExplore View on map
Treasure hunting below Cihangir
The lanes of antique and vintage shops below Cihangir, around the Museum of Innocence.
Çukur Cuma Caddesi, BeyoğluExplore View on map
A city under one roof
One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with more than 60 streets of shops. Closed on Sundays.
Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Caddesi, FatihExplore View on map
Books in a shady courtyard
The old book bazaar in a shady courtyard between the Grand Bazaar and the Beyazıt Mosque.
Beyazıt, FatihExplore View on map
Spices, tea and lokum
The L-shaped bazaar of the 1660s next to the New Mosque at Eminönü, fragrant with spices, teas and sweets.
Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sokak, Eminönü, FatihExplore View on map
Edible souvenirs.
Lokum since 1777
The historic confectioner that has made lokum, Turkish delight, since 1777; shops in Eminönü, Beyoğlu and Kadıköy.
Hamidiye Caddesi, Eminönü; İstiklal Caddesi No:83; KadıköyExplore View on map
The Asian side’s food market
The lanes of fishmongers, delis, cheese shops and bakeries behind the Kadıköy ferry pier.
Kadıköy Çarşı, KadıköyExplore View on map
Helva and lokum
A long-established maker of helva, lokum and jams, with a shop on İstiklal Avenue.
İstiklal Caddesi No:122, BeyoğluExplore View on map
