Shopping
Shopping in Istanbul is a real adventure, because you have thousands of little shops all over the city. Have fun with your treasure-hunt!
Istiklal Boulevard
This street (Istiklal Caddesi = “Freedom Boulevard”) is the place if you a) want to check out the big brands like Levis, Mavi, Topshop and so on, b) want to shop for less at one of the many unofficial Outlets (Beyoglu Is Merkezi) and c) if you like Second Hand Shopping. All in one place!
My favourite spots:
1) Second Hand Shop By Retro in the “Suriye Pasaji”– on the right side quite at the end of Istiklal Boulevard (Istiklal Caddesi) when you’re walking from Taksim to Tünel. It’s huge!
Istiklal Caddesi No. 166
2) Beyoglu Is Merkezi on the left side of the Istiklal Caddesi (after the Galatasaray Square) with around 30 little Shops.
Istiklal Caddesi No. 187
3) Adidas-Store (on the left side quite at the beginning of the Istiklal Cad.): Buy yourself the ultimate souvenir, an “Adidas – Istanbul Beyoglu”-Shirt! Beyoglu being the name of that district.
Istiklal Caddesi No. 59
4) T-Box – clothes in a little Box. T-Shirts, underwear, rain coats… Nice & cheap – on the left side if you walk from Taksim to Tünel
Istiklal Caddesi No. 67
For all the shops take the Metro or Funicular to Taksim (M2) or the Funicular to Tünel.
Grand Bazaar
No matter what you want to buy, you can all find it at the Grand Bazaar. Fashion, souvenirs, books, food, spices, sweets, stationery, costumes, literally anything. Just imagine you have over 4000 shops at your disposal! The only rule: Never accept the first price!
Tram to Beyazit (T1). Or first visit the Spice Bazar (Tram Eminönü) and ask your way through to the Grand Bazaar (“Kapali Carsi” in Turkish).
Cevahir
This mall is the biggest in Europe and the second biggest in the world. You can spend your whole day there, as they don’t only have lots of shops, a huge food market, but also an indoor amusement park with a roller coaster.
Büyükdere Caddesi No. 22
Tel. 0090 212 368 69 00
www.istanbulcevahir.com
Metro Sisli / Mecidiyeköy (M2)
Galatasaray & Cihangir
If you have a long afternoon left, stroll around the shops in this two neighbouring districts. The perfect place to start is in the Siraselviler Boulevard (Siraselviler Caddesi), which starts at Taksim. Just ask someone for the direction to the “German Hospital” and you will easily find this street. Check out the Cafés, second hand-, book- and antiques shops. If you get lost, ask for one of the places on the list below.
1) Popcorn, in the “Faik Pasa Yokusu 2c” (and also look out for the neighbouring antiques- and second hand shops in the “Aga Hamam Sokak”)
2) Café Smyrna, in the “Akarsu Yokusu 29”
3) Buka, little Designer-Shop with beautiful things, in the “Hayvar Sokak 27 B”
4) Café Susam, in the “Susam Sokak No. 11”
5) Zula – Ivir Zivir Seyler Dükkani, “Susam Sokak No. 11”, facing the Café Susam, entrance over the stairs
For all the shops & cafes take the Metro or Funicular to Taksim (M2)
Tuesday Market in Kadiköy
You really shouldn’t miss the Asian side of Istanbul and the market every Tuesday in Kadiköy is the perfect opportunity to go there. Take the ferry to Kadiköy and ask your way through to the “Pazar”. Besides fresh vegetables, fish and cheese you can find everything for your home, “original” Nike sweaters for 10 Euro (and of course other faked brands), shoes in every colour, underwear, towels etc. Sometimes it is even more fun to go there than to the Grand Bazaar, because you hardly see tourists and the salesman only go there once a week and really want to sell their stuff. Don’t miss it!
Ferry to Kadiköy (from Besiktas, Kabatas, Karaköy, Eminönü), then ask someone for the way; it is actually just up the street to the eagle statue; and then take the left street going down again – the street on your right (the one the Tram takes) will lead you to the main shopping district of Kadiköy;
Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!
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