In this article we will touch upon Shopping in Turkey and all the nuances associated with wasting money. We will find out ways to save money, which stores are better to visit. What do the reviews of tourists say about going to the markets. What to bring from Turkey as a gift to family and friends. we have collected all the practical information that will be useful before planning a vacation.
Shopping in Turkey
Turkey is one of those countries where beach holidays can and should be combined with shopping. Especially on days darkened by bad weather. It is enough to contact your tour operator or the hotel administration and you will be helped to choose a store for your needs. In many cases, the transfer is free of charge or at the expense of the store. Shopping centers and markets are no less colorful than the nature of this country. Prices in Turkey for both food and non-food products are quite low all year round.
Let's highlight a few points on which you can save in the first place.
Sales
There are seasonal sales of goods in large shopping centers. Summer Sale this year will run from June to September, winter - from January to March 2021. There are end-season sales in small boutiques and stalls, when almost all the goods are sold at very low prices, and the owners go on vacation. Local residents use these sales.
Shopping - festivals
The largest event takes place in Istanbul. The so-called Istanbul Shopping Festival in 2021 will run from June 30 to July 17. The event is accompanied by a large entertainment program, theatrical performances, shows, fireworks. The main attractive component is the cost of goods. At the festival, prices are lower than usual by 10 - 50 percent, and in some cases by 70 percent. At the same time, we note that the discounts are really real, in contrast to Russian stores with inscriptions Discount.
Separate shops give away tickets to Turkish resorts, cars and even apartments in Istanbul. The risks are minimal given that the festival is being held under the supervision of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During the festival, the airline Turkish Airlines for some destinations it introduces special fares with discounts for luggage up to 50 kg. We recommend choosing such air tickets in advance.
Part of VAT refund
If you buy goods in stores that support the program Tax Free and keep receipts, then upon departure you can return from 8 to 18 percent of the cost. When registering goods, you need to use a special form at the checkout or a card SHOP Tax Free... At the airport, the refund is processed at customs.
Bargaining ability
Only large shopping centers fix prices. It is customary to bargain in small boutiques and markets. We advise you to learn this, be sure they will listen to you with pleasure. For local traders, it is also an opportunity to practice Russian. As a result, the cost of the goods can be reduced significantly.
Tips from personal experience:
- If the price of a product is too high, then in the markets we like to talk about not having enough money in our pocket.
- Make sure to smile, especially the girls, it really works and many merchants can't resist.
- Approach those merchants who are bored, where there are no queues.
- Dress simply, do not stand out in colors and brands among the local population.
Shopping Fest in Istanbul
Where to shop in Turkey is better?
Large cities are undoubtedly leading in terms of the number of shopping centers, markets and the number of branded boutiques. The markets of large cities are attracted by a huge variety of goods. And shopping centers in Turkey, they are called AVM, also services. Large AVMs have recreation areas, children's rooms, cafes and restaurants. Sewing workshops, hairdressing salons, fitness centers can work.
Some shopping centers allow for partial payment and are engaged in delivery. It is enough to place a purchase and leave a deposit in the range of 100 - 200 dollars. The rest of the payment can be paid on arrival through the bank or directly at the tour operator's office. Your purchase will be delivered by courier within one to two months from the beginning of the purchase.
Next, we have outlined the best shopping malls where it is worth making shopping trips in the first place. By the way, the working hours of all shopping centers are the same - from 10 am to 10 pm.
Istanbul
- The largest shopping centers are located in Bayrampasa and Basaksehir districts. It is here that targeted tourists come for the sake of profit and a good range. We definitely recommend visiting FORUM ISTANBUL and MOLL of ISTANBUL respectively. Their area is about 200 thousand m2. In this area, not only shops and restaurants, but also all kinds of courses. In the evenings, animators and theaters work.
- Of the new AVMs, we definitely note EMAAR SQUARE amlıca region - Libadie. This is a whole town with its own streets and recreation areas.
- Popular with tourists AVM, aka an amusement park VIALEND, Eyup district. Open from 10 am to 6 pm, from Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Of the newest trading giants - in 2019, the second stage of the shopping center was built in the Atakoy district GALLERIA.
Popular bazaars worth visiting:
- GRAND BAZAR in the city center (Bayazit district), open from 9 am to 7 pm every day (Sunday is a day off).
- EGYPTIAN MARKET spices and souvenirs at the Galata Bridge, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 7 pm.
- food market INEBOLU, Beyoglu district and Russian Bazaar LALELI near the metro with the same name. The first one is worth visiting rather for the sake of contact with the history and authenticity of the country. The prices are overpriced here.
We advise you to visit the Egyptian market for a quality product and a famous restaurant Pandeli... The Inebolu market is open until lunchtime (until 2 pm and only on Sundays), and the buyers are the townspeople themselves. It is convenient to buy goods in bulk on Laleli (working hours from 8.30 am to 7 pm, except Sunday).
Grand Bazaar (Kapali Charshi) in Istanbul
Antalya
Antalya has a special place for shopping - "free trade zone" or Duti free in the port. Access there is only available with a foreign passport.
Major AVMs that experienced tourists advise to visit in reviews:
- MIGROS (Migros) in the Konyaalti area,
- MARK ANTALYA downtown,
- elite TERRA CITY in the Lara area,
- ÖZDILEK PARK (Ozdilek) in the Kepe area,
- Outlet DEEPO (Dipo) at the airport.
Near AVM Migros there is an amusement park, an aquarium and a water park, and its cafe offers a beautiful view of the sea. It is better to visit MarkAntalya on weekdays, because residents themselves with their families like to visit it. Ozdilek attracts not only with wholesale discounts, but also with coziness. And the Outlet Dipo with constant sales and Tuesday market “Sali Pazary”.
Antalya Markets:
- They work one day a week in different parts of the city. The largest food and textile bazaar takes place on Saturdays in the Sirinyali area near AVM Laura.
- The Central Market near the old town has a large selection of food, clothing, souvenirs and jewelry.
- The cheapest is the Unzhaly market in the Konyaalti region. It runs on Mondays. Prices here are 2-3 times cheaper than in stores.
- On Wednesday, you can drop by the Charshamba market (Sharampole district), where there are good leather goods and textiles.
Migros shopping center in Antalya
What to bring from Turkey?
Goodies
First of all, local sweets (pashmiya, Turkish delight, baklava) and nuts, olive oil are brought from Turkey. extra virgin and olives, dried fruits (figs, persimmons), of course, spices.
From exotic: rose and pomegranate jam, pomegranate sauce and wine, fruits and nuts in honey. Turkey has excellent tea and good coffees, for example, “Mehmed Effendi". Turkish teas should be brewed, not brewed.
Clothes and footwear
In Turkey, you can buy branded clothing at wholesale prices, and even less Turkish. Traditionally, leather goods, fur coats and sheepskin coats are brought from the country.
Souvenirs
The most diverse.From Turkish hookahs and Turks for brewing coffee to local ceramics and tulip-shaped tea cups loved during your holidays in Turkey. Popular hamam sets, cosmetics with olive or rose oil, bags and suitcases. And also all kinds of charms and onyx souvenirs.
Oddly enough, but often tourists bring them as a souvenir - loofah from natural materials, with which they were washed in the hamam.
Jewelry
Articles made of white gold and silver with and without stones. The local sultanite stone is purchased most often. In order to avoid fakes, it is better to purchase such gifts in large jewelry stores. Be sure to ask for a quality certificate and take a check, we advise you to keep the documents until you arrive at your homeland.
Souvenir counter
Shopping centers on the map
Shopping reviews in Turkey
Most tourists consider shopping in Turkey as an integral part of their vacation and are happy to share reviews and photos of purchased goods. Reviews of tourists about shopping are the most positive, everyone in one way or another mentions a variety of goods. It is almost impossible to leave Turkey without tasty or healthy purchases. Everyone writes about the possibility and a simple rule of bargaining and communicating with sellers. This brings both significant material benefits and uplifting.
Where to buy souvenirs? Travelers write that the most inexpensive, while good quality purchases can be made not even in AVM, but in local markets. There are those in every city and in almost every district. It is more convenient to buy goods in Turkish shops by paying with a plastic card, and in small shops and transport with lira. It is better to specify the cost of goods in lira. When converted into another currency, the cost will be lower than vice versa. The quality of goods purchased in Turkey is usually higher than in a similar store in Russia.
