Eight Day Itinerary For Shopping Fans
If you are visiting Istanbul for eight days and you’re a true shopping fan, then you’re in luck. There is more than one place to visit every single day, and you will be able to find every single product you could possibly want, and several more besides. There is a reason that Istanbul is known as a shopping heaven!
Because of crowds, traffic, and the possibility of carrying several shopping bags around, it’s a good idea to dedicate your time to just one area per day, and then give yourself time to recover of an evening!
Day One
- Grand Bazaar
- Egyptian Spice Bazaar
These two places are historic and they are located very close to one another, in the Sultanahmet/Fatih regions of the city. They will require some haggling, so polish up your skills ahead of time, but you can be sure to grab more than one bargain, and some interesting and traditional items to take back home with you.
Day Two
- Nisantasi, Sisli
This historic shopping street is known for its huge designer names, so if you are looking for something more upmarket then you need to be getting on the Metro to Sisli and walking down to Nisantasi’s dedicated shopping street! It’s not all designer brands however, as you’ll find several recognisable and more affordable names too.
Day Three
- Bagdat Caddesi, Kadikoy
A true gem for all shopping fans. The shopping opportunities in Istanbul are not only on the European side, as Asia has its competitors too! Kadikoy’s Bagdat Caddesi (street) is a rival to Taksim’s Istiklal in some ways, and is lined with several more affordable stores too. Head over on the ferry and take your time perusing, before perhaps making an evening of it in Kadikoy too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Day Four
Linked to the Metro system, so you don’t even have to go outside if its raining, Cevahir Mall is a massive shopping mall that has its own theme park and cinema, as well as countless eateries, coffee shops, and more stores that we can even count. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you’re simply not going to find it at all!
Day Five
The busiest street in Istanbul is the place to be for many reasons, but, and as a shopping fan, its shopping is certainly to behold. It’s best to walk down one side, go in the shops you want to go in, and then walk back up the other side, because criss crossing over one side to the other can be rather difficult with the sheer number of people walking up and down this street! Stop off at a restaurant or coffee shop for a pit stop, before continuing on with your shopping journey.
Day Six
- Mall of Istanbul
Another shopping mall, but this one is located towards the Ataturk Airport side of the city, so if you are basing yourself there, it will be in easy reach for you. This is another big-hitter, with plentiful stores to enjoy, and because of its size, it never becomes too crowded to enjoy; do try and avoid weekend if possible however. Getting there can be tricky if you’re not driving, because it’s about the bus, and traffic can sometimes be a nightmare, it’s worth the journey however.
Day Seven
The winding streets of the Galata neighbourhood hide some gems in terms of shopping. There are countless small hipster music stores, clothing shops, and small souvenir shops too. Take your time exploring, because this is a very historic region, and you could even break up your day by heading up the Galata Tower too.
Day Eight
- Go back over Istiklal Avenue, Taksim, and it’s back streets
There is no way you would have done Istiklal in one day, so take your last day to go back over what you missed. There are many side streets which hide markets, where you can practice your haggling once more. From flowers to jewelry, you’ll find it all.
If eight days shopping in Istanbul didn’t wear you out, nothing else will!