Known for its breathtaking mosques and mythical Grand Bazaar, the shopping in Istanbul boasts a mash-up of charming boutiques and traditional homeware.
Istanbul native Begüm Yalçın, founder of Turkish jewellery brand Charms Company, tells us where to find the best vintage shops, the Turkish baths to treat yourself at, and the ultimate post-shopping pit stops.
Best area or street for shopping?
There are many different areas for shopping. Istinye Park and Zorlu Center are my favourite shopping malls; you can find all the luxury brands in the open air. Then there is Nisantasi area with lots of streets full of different brands, both local and international. And also Bagdat Street in the Asian part of Istanbul is great for shopping.
Where can we find the best vintage shops?
The best areas for vintage shopping are Pera and Cukurcuma. There are lots of vintage home decoration stores as well as clothing shops. Some of the best stores are Petra Vintage and By Retro.
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One place only locals know about…
Apartiman Yenikoy, it’s a very cute restaurant for breakfast or weekend brunches and cosy dinners.
Your favourite local brands or boutiques?
I have so many! Manu for the coolest bags, Gaios for any kind of headpiece, Selma Cilek for daily ready-to-wear, Moeva for the best swimsuits, Tru Basics for T-shirts to cashmere sweaters, and Charms Company for the best jewellery.
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Souvenir to take home?
We have a very rich culture and history and the Grand Bazaar is the perfect place to experience this. Anything you get from here will make for an ideal souvenir. If you prefer something more niche, Rebul Atelier’s Istanbul diffuser set and Selamlique’s chocolate and gold-dust covered Turkish Delights are the best.
The best place to treat yourself is…
We have amazing spas and Turkish baths. Some of my favourites are inside the Kempinski and Shangri-La hotels. Visit for a perfect spa day.
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Best overall shopping experience?
Beymen is the number one multi-brand luxury store where you can find all the brands for home, cosmetics, ready-to-wear, evening wear and accessories. They have personal and private shopping experiences too.
Best pit stop for lunch or coffee?
Lucca is located in the Bebek area and it’s been one of the best spots for many years, it’s also great for cocktails and the area has very nice local designer shops. Meg is located in the same area and is great for a coffee stop. Pinoli is a very cute Italian restaurant only locals know about – the food and crowd is always great but it’s very small, so making a reservation is a must. Their pizettas are the best. All Sports Café has been a local favourite for so many years: it’s great for brunch, lunch and coffee and they have lots of gluten free options. My favourite treat is their gluten free raspberry cookie.
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