Istanbul Shopping
Istanbul
Turkey is famous for its markets, everything from small affairs selling local fresh produce to the world famous Grand Bazaar. There are also shopping malls with all the famous international brands. Turkish textiles are excellent and well worth buying before leaving for home. There are small shops everywhere but keen shoppers may well decide to keep their money for a real shopping adventure. View how to get to Istanbul.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is huge. There are over 3,000 shops in 60 covered streets in the Fatih District on the European side. On some days there are as many as 400,000 visitors and estimates suggest that nearly 100 million pass through its doors annually. Its construction began in the middle of the 15th Century just after the Ottomans took control of the City. Today there are over 25,000 employed within the Bazaar.
There is everything from carpets and gold to leather and metalwork. Tourists must barter because it is the way of life.
Spice Bazaar
Nearby is a smaller bazaar close to the Bosphorus, by the way visit Bosphorus for sunset. It is equally interesting. It was built around 1660 and has 85 shops selling spices, sweets, fruit and nuts as well as some jewellery and souvenirs
Shopping malls
There are plenty around and here are just a few for you to consider depending on Hotel area where you are staying:
•Istinye Park Mall
•Istanbul Cevahir Mall
•Zorlu Center
•Forum Istanbul Alisveris Merkezi
•Kanyon Shopping Center
•Via/Port Outlet
•Vialand Mall
•Aqua Florya
•Mall of Istanbul