A guide to the best brands, shops, streets and areas to go shopping in Istanbul, from souvenirs to clothing shops, makeup, bookstores and more!
While I only lived in Istanbul for a few weeks, it’s undeniable that I went shopping as much as I could, when I was not working in the city’s amazing study cafes.
Since Turkish is a language many tourists don’t speak when traveling to Istanbul, it can be a bit tough to find out about shops, streets and areas to get souvenirs.
I, for one, didn’t look for shopping information as much as I could have before moving there, because I knew I’d make do on the spot – and I did.
Here’s my guide to the best shops, brands and areas I’ve come across while in Istanbul; hopefully, you’ll find a couple of places to add to your bucket list!
Shopping in Istanbul: The Best Streets, Shops and Brands
If there’s something I can tell you, it’s that while you’re looking for new spots to go shopping in Istanbul, you will pop by some of the prettiest neighborhoods in town.
For instance, Nişantaşı, which is one of my favorite areas in Istanbul, is filled to the brim with clothing shops, makeup stores, along with lots of restaurants and cafes.
My favorite way of discovering a city is by also adding cafes, supermarkets and clothing stores to my bucket list.
They are, after all, a true reflection of a city’s culture, and helps us understand way more than we would by simply visiting museums…
Don’t you think?
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Nok Istanbul, Nişantaşı
Let us start with one of the most fashionable clothing shops in Istanbul, Nok Istanbul – there, the clothes are sorted by color, which makes you want to check out every single rack.
I’ve actually purchased my fair share of clothes there, including oversized pink pants and a shimmery light blue pair of flowy pants.
Nok Istanbul, since it does offer shapes and materials you wouldn’t find anywhere else, tends to be pricier, with prices for pants translating to about 40 to 50 euros.
However, whether you’re looking for kawaii socks, headbands or completely silver clothes, you’ll find them there.
Read: The Cutest Pink Places in the World
Best Shopping Areas in Istanbul: Beyoglu
The lively Beyoglu neighborhood offers lots of shopping streets.
I’m not necessarily talking about Istiklal Caddesi, although you’ll be able to get anything from clothes to makeup and even Turkish ice cream there.
Walk off Istiklal Caddesi if you want more handmade products.
Just minutes away, you’ll find in the small neighboring streets many more artisan shops from which to get Turkish souvenirs: scented soaps, gorgeous perfumes, and even vintage odds and ends!
Read: The Most Colorful Cities in Europe
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Gratis, Various Locations
I have to admit that going makeup shopping in Istanbul was a satisfying, oh-so-satisfying experience – especially when doing so in the Gratis shops.
I love Turkish makeup brands; I started out with Golden Rose when I was about 18 years old, and kept going with brands like Pastel and Note Cosmetics when they started being available online.
At Gratis, which is basically the equivalent of Superdrug in London, you will find countless makeup brands worth checking out, and most of the lipsticks, nail polishes and eyeshadows barely retail over 4/5 euros.
Read: The Most Colorful Cities in the World
Best Shopping Areas in Istanbul: Balat Neighborhood
Balat is dotted with really aesthetic coffee shops, some of which I’ve mentioned in the past, like the famous Antik Balat Cafe, Velvet Cafe or even Mare Mosso.
Closer to Fatih, you will also be able to find shops in Balat from which to get souvenirs; magnets, scarves, and small items that won’t set you back much.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Golden Rose, Istiklal Caddesi
I’ve told you about the Gratis shops to get makeup (that’s also, actually, one of the coolest makeups stores in Barcelona, and one I never thought I’d find outside of Turkey!) from Golden Rose, but if you’d like to see the entire collection, stop by Istiklal Caddesi.
Golden Rose has a self-standing store there complete with some of my favorite products from the brand:
- The Velvet Matte lipsticks
- The Longstay Liquid Matte lipsticks
- The Dream Lips lip liners
- And many more
Then, if you’re really into makeup shopping, you will also find on Istiklal Caddesi a Flormar shop.
The Flormar Dewy Lip Glaze and lip liners are some really performing products, long lasting, pigmented, and just so ridiculously cheap that you have to be careful not to buy the whole range!
Read: The Most Secret Places in Rome and Hidden Gems
Where to Go Shopping in Istanbul: Sultanahmet and Arasta Market
After visiting Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s landmarks, I felt that going shopping was a great idea, and walking around the Sultanahmet neighborhood, I came across the Arasta Market.
Now, markets in Istanbul are pretty common, and are some places I avoided with unbelievable strength, so as not to get scammed.
However, since Turkish markets really are pretty, and can sometimes allow for great bargains, why not visit the Arasta Market to lose yourself between the lively stalls?
Read: The Most Secret and Free Museums in Rome
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: AdL, Various Locations
AdL is another Turkish clothing brand you’d do well to check out to understand more about women’s style in Istanbul.
Colorful, sophisticated and with very clean cuts, AdL offers anything from two-piece suits to shirts and simple tees.
Most of the clothes are very flowy, embracing femininity to the max, making it yet another really cool shop to pop by if you want to get proper Turkish fashion.
Read: The Best Free and Unique Things to Do in Rome
Where to Go Shopping in Istanbul: Beşiktaş
A while back, when I told you about some of my favorite cafes in Istanbul, a few of the breakfast spots I mentioned were located in Beşiktaş – and it is also a great shopping area.
We’re close to both the Bosphorus and the Nişantaşı neighborhood, with plenty of quirky, unique shops that really make Beşiktaş what it is.
Closer to the Bosphorus, Beşiktaş transforms into an even more bustling area, with bookshops and secret shopping centers galore, from which you’ll get anything from a Simpsons hat (I got a bright pink one there!) to simple jeans and T-shirts for a handful of euros/dollars.
Read: The Best British Drugstore Makeup Brands
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: BSL, Nişantaşı
If I had to get an elegant dress or a jumpsuit, one of my first destinations would be BSL in Nişantaşı – it’s close to the Havesome Coffee cafe I love to work at, and also close to the very funky Nok Istanbul brand.
BSL is pricier than the shops you’ll find in Beşiktaş, about the same prices as Nok Istanbul and AdL, with clean cuts and really high-quality fabrics.
Plus, you’re right in the heart of Nişantaşı when visiting BSL, and nearby, you have other smaller shopping arcades like Göksu Pasajı along with a famous shopping center, so why not visit if you have the time?
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Edinburgh
Best Shops in Istanbul: Let’s Winkk, Nişantaşı
What makes Let’s Winkk Nişantaşı interesting is that beyond a coffee shop filled with homemade pastries and delicious Turkish tea, it is also a concept slash fashion store.
There, you’ll find some really cute sunglasses of all kinds, along with some streetwear bits from artisans that you won’t come across anywhere else.
The prices are quite affordable, but still reflect the high quality of the fabrics and shapes.
Do not miss out on a slice of fresh cake there, though, even more appreciated if you come to work there on your laptop before you shop on your way out!
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in NYC
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Ataşehir Water Garden
The Water Garden in Ataşehir is another shopping mall I very much enjoyed when I was living in Istanbul.
From Kiko Milano to Migros, a quite famous supermarket for affordable food shopping, there are also plenty of shops there.
The fashion brand Koton has a store there, really cool, with pieces you won’t necessarily find anywhere else, and for further makeup shopping, do pop by Watsons.
One of my favorite things to do in Istanbul is to enjoy a moment watching the lights play on the Water Garden as the sun sets, and you’ll also find many good restaurants around the fountains.
Read: The Best Free Things to Do in Rome
Where to Go Shopping in Istanbul: Books & Coffee Karaköy
It’s not that easy to find international and English books in Istanbul, but this one place, Books & Coffee Karaköy, is definitely one of the first bookshops to pop by.
Most of the books there are in Turkish, and it’s yet another one of the cute coffee shops I strongly recommend to anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time.
It’s spacious, with lots of books and shops nearby – we’re close to the Galata Tower, after all – and if you choose to have breakfast there, I would suggest trying out a slice of their brownie cheesecake.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Dubai
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Moda and Kadıköy
I said it before and will say it again, Moda is one of the best shopping areas in Istanbul overall.
Doesn’t matter if you’re looking for artisan handbags, jewelry, doughnuts or plants – there’s just anything you might wish for there.
A walk around the Moda neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do in Istanbul, especially when it’s morning and the area is a bit less crowded.
And then, after shopping (you won’t be able to stop yourself there!), if you’re looking for cool places to eat, try Sliceguy Pizza.
It’s not that type of Neapolitan pizza I’m used to eating when I’m in London, not even close to the Roman-style pizza I enjoy when I live in Rome – it’s different, and really delicious.
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Friends Cafe, Kadıköy
I chose to include the Friends Cafe in Kadıköy because beyond being one of Istanbul’s most instagrammable cafes, it’s also a great place to get Friends-inspired souvenirs.
From mugs to magnets, even if the coffee shop doesn’t really have every possible Friends souvenir, you still have a few cool things to bring back home.
Plus, you’re in the Moda area, which is in itself filled with shops, so why not do that two-bird-one-stone thing where you enjoy a huge cup of latte and treat yourself to some shopping too?
Read: The Guide to London’s Street Art Neighborhoods
Where to Go Shopping in Istanbul: Cevahir Shopping Center
Close to Nişantaşı, one of Europe’s largest shopping centers awaits: the Cevahir shopping center.
I don’t even know where to start when trying to describe this place; whether you’re looking for Turkish street food, makeup, clothing or lingerie, you basically have it all there.
Just to give you a bit more insight, some of the international shops available at the Cevahir shopping center include Kiehl’s, Aldo, AdL, Birkenstock, Pull & Bear, Bershka, Intimissimi, Oysho, Puma, and even MAC Cosmetics.
If you’re trying to find some more drugstore makeup, Gratis and Flormar both have stores inside.
You can easily spend a full day shopping at this mall, and would still want to go back!
Read: The Guide to Multicolor Places in London
Best Places for Shopping in Istanbul: Via delle Rose
Via delle Rose might be an Italian clothing brand, but the first time I came across their wonderful, edgy and fashionable designs was in Istanbul.
The prices are quite high there, but if there’s something that’s cheaper in Istanbul than it would be in Milan or in the USA, it’s the Via delle Rose clothes, shoes and handbags.
If you have that kind of edgy style to your personality, that’s an Istanbul shop I cannot recommend enough – and super instagrammable at that!
Read: The Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places
Best Shopping Areas in Istanbul: Cihangir
A short walk from Taksim Square, Cihangir is another one of the perfect spots to go shopping in Istanbul; this time, for vintage clothes and quirky shops.
Cihangir, like pretty much any area in town, also offers its fair share of great coffee shops.
Gramaj Coffee, pictured above (middle picture), is a favorite of mine – not only because the food and coffee are great, but also because it’s simply super cute.
The Cihangir area is located quite close to Istiklal Caddesi.
So, you could literally start your day with some shopping there, then eat at Reyhun Restaurant (one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, with delicious Persian food!) and a walk to Galataport to see the view at the end of the day.
Read: The Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums
Shopping in Istanbul: The Best Streets, Shops and Brands
There you have them, all the best areas, streets and self-standing stores to go shopping in Istanbul – hopefully, you’ll have found here all you needed to treat yourself to unique items!
I’ve personally found that fashion in Istanbul was overwhelming; there are so many clothing shops, and shopping streets in town that it can be hard to understand where to start.
In any case, from home decor to artisan souvenirs and makeup, these are all the places I recommend, again and again, if you’re looking to bring back amazing items home from Istanbul!