City: Istanbul
Top Things to do in Istanbul
Top 10 Gift & Specialty Shops in Istanbul, Turkey
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Prens Leather
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 570 reviews
Free Transfer Service--Enjoy the complimentary transfer to our boutique store (Please visit our webpage) Prens Leather has been a family heritage boutique store for three generations. Located in the old city, Prens stands on Vezirhan Street; between the Column of Constantine (Cemberlitas) and Nuruosmaniye Mosque. As a trendsetter, Prens has its own boutique styles, as well as made-to-measure individual designs in leather and fur clothing and accessories. Offering the finest in quality and workmanship, Prens also stocks a large colorful range of traditional and contemporary Turkish design leather jackets.
Reviewed By Steve7022 - Scottsdale, United States
I stopped by here as part of my final stay in Istanbul. After having read about the fine quality and craftsmanship of luxury leather goods, by a family owned label spanning three generations, I was not disappointed. From courtesy transportation, to assisting with my selections, fitting, and tailoring by a welcoming and knowledgeable staff (who also shared fantastic insight about the city), it is a truly first rate shopping experience. If you want to see and experience the best Istanbul has to offer, PRENS is a must on any shopping itinerary. Great location too- so much to see and do while you're having your purchases tailored.
2. Jennifer's Hamam
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 883 reviews
The only company in country working directly with the last families of weavers, making the best quality towels, pestamel, bedcovers, robes, linens, table covers, etc. From only the best quality GOTS certified Turkish cotton, linen and silk. A must see for textile lovers.
Reviewed By kaksMontreal
It was hard to miss Jennifer’s Haman while walking through the streets of Istanbul last year. Spotting the distinctive, oversized Canadian flag in the window of the beautiful little shop provided a nationalistic breath of fresh air for this proud Canadian. I’ll spare you the details of the typically warm and inviting Turkish/Canadian hospitality that we encountered upon entering the store and get straight to the reason that we bought 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 6 face cloths and a pair of decorative, wooden bath slippers, and why I fell in love with everything else that I experienced that day. The first bonus as far as I’m concerned, was the fixed price attached to each item that allowed me to immediately determine whether I could or could not afford to buy what I consider to be these works of art. The practice of bargaining, albeit apparently amusing to most, is one that I personally abhor, especially when it is directed to the level of workmanship associated with hand weaving and in this case, its unique Turkish tradition. Firstly, the organic, 100% Turkish cotton towels are simply irresistible in appearance, quality and workmanship – the same goes for the linen and silk versions. The traditional designs executed by the talented weavers (who ply their trade on old- school shuttle looms) with whom jennifershamam.com works closely, are a perfect representation of craft, tradition and respect for skills that should be prized and hopefully never forgotten. As I was unable to make an in-person return visit this year, I opted for the virtual tour that Jennifer and her staff graciously offer on line. Happily, for me the end result, on this occasion was as rewarding as my visit last year. Haci, the sales manager guided me as I treated myself to a couple of well-deserved, amazing linen and silk towels. Granted, the in-person, in-store shopping experience can hardly be replicated but, securely wrapping my entire, soaking, wet body in my wonderful, newly acquired, traditional bath towel is the closest thing I’ve come to in a long while that makes me feel imminently rewarded and truly connected. Connected in some fashion to a few noble ways of the past, to traditions that are being reprised and most indulgently, to the security of knowing that I deserve not only to be well dried but also to be able to pamper myself in the privacy of my home. For this, I wish to thank Jennifer, Haci and all the wonderful women and men who are doing their best to make this world a better place.
3. Motif Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 305 reviews
Since 1992, Motif Collection provides the best quality fully handcrafted carpets and kilims. Our collection also features carpets from around the Turkey, antique pieces and rare fragments. We also sell hand crafted Turkish ceramics hand made bone boxes and unique Turkish giftware.We are only dealing older Anatolian Dowry made Turkish carpets and kilims.We are also repairing and washing carpets and kilims.
Reviewed By sarahshg
If you're looking for an authentic Turkish rug in Istanbul, make sure that you either visit Motif Collection first or last, because it's the real deal. Hamit Balkir runs an unassuming shop that carries mostly vintage carpets that are full of color and character. Talking to Hamit was the single most educational thing for us to learn about vintage Turkish carpets; the beauty; the art; the tradition and role it had in Turkish culture. Hamit was patient and gracious and took all our questions. We left Istanbul with 2 gorgeous carpets and had them sent directly to our home in Malaysia.
4. Myth Arts Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
We are retail part of Aydin handicratfs which is the largest hand made ceramic manufacturer & exporter of Turkey. We are serving fine turkish handicrafts with the best prices from a wide collection. We are serving with our 3 retail stores in Gulhane(opp. Gulhane tram sta.), Galata(Galipdede st.No 62) and Sirkeci in Istanbul. You can feel free while shopping with our barcode pricing system and catch the best deals without need bargaing.
5. Dervis Bath Accessories & Ethnic Textiles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By kylef694
This is one of those authentic stores in the Grand Bazaar where you can actually buy some high quality towels, without pressure, and for a fair price. I was recommended to visit here by several disinterested locals. The robes are awesome also!
6. Tuncer Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 408 reviews
Tuncer Gift Shop is located in Sultanahmet since 2000s. At the beginning, we started working just on the street and just with one person who is our founder. After a while we expanded our job and we opened first showroom in 2008. When we came to 2012, we have five showrooms in Istanbul and nearly 15 team members.We believe that customers are special; so we made each showroom special by itself. We have two showrooms for ceramics, one shop for special home textile and carpets and one showroom is just for selling jewellery. Our products are also special only for our showrooms and you cannot find the same product in any other shops.
Reviewed By emilywS5017IA
If you are looking for Turkish lamps SKIP THE BAZAAR AND COME HERE! am typically not one to leave a review, but this store is amazing and the staff is extremely friendly. Did not feel hassled or pressured. I bought a beautiful chandelier with 7 dangling lamps for 950 Turkish Lira (~$114 USD) after the staff member assisting me gave me a discount. Extremely affordable and beautiful. The associate was patient with me and gave me tons of options in choosing which lamps I wanted. He advised me which lamps were of higher quality and which lamps were not as sturdy. Very well packaged and secured. They made it easy to pack into my suitcase. Beautiful, high quality lamps. Great deal, affordable. The other souvenirs were beautiful as well.
7. Aslan Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 266 reviews
We Are Selling High Quality Souvenirs For Our Visitors To Remind Good Memories Of Istanbul Or Giving Their Friends As A Gift. Nargiles, Nazars, Mugs, Bracelets And Every Kind Of Turkish Themed Gifts Are Being Sold In Our Fancy Shop In Sirkeci/istanbul.
Reviewed By 827rebeccahb - Chapel Hill, United States
Located in cute arcade, near lots of restaurants and coffee shops, Aslan has great souvenirs and all are well-priced. Shop owner, Fahri, was very friendly and wrapped all my purchases up very carefully. Some beautiful hand-painted goods available. Definitely worth a visit.
8. Galeria Rugs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Galeria Rugs was established in 2008. Its founder, Selcuk Orman, has extensive experience in carpets from all over the world having being a director for international carpet galleries and auction houses. Our purpose is to share the true experience and knowledge we have of hand woven carpets with enthusiasts and collectors around the world. Since the knowledge of this art form comes with education, we aim to share our knowledge about the intricate technical qualities and human stories behind this unique art.
Reviewed By 882moea
Great person (sailcuk), great products, so cooperative and helpful, his honesty and hospitality drives you to come again, speaks english very well and offers help all the time, I recommend visiting the shop..
9. Adnan and Hasan Carpet and Kilim Store
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By kylef694
These were the most friendly, beautiful people. We learned so much. The selection is great, there is no (well, maybe just a tiny little bit) haggling and no pressure. They also have turned destroyed kilims/carpets into pillow cases. They are amazing and a great way to take a bit home with you if you can't afford a whole carpet. I also cannot say enough about the hospitality here, which is such a welcome relief in the crazy Wild Bazaar. We were looking for a particular item, which could not be found in the Bazaar. They drew us a map, called friends, who called friends and checked inventory, updated the map, and gave instructions and even a number to call if we got lost. Please stop here!
10. Otantik Gift
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Otantik Gift is a home deco and lifestyle company specializing in authentic traditional handcrafted items from Turkey. With the aim of sharing the beauty of these handcrafted items and helping to preserve what may be a dying trade, Otantik Gift offers you a wide range of these hand crafted home decoration and lifestyle products.
