Shopping in Turkey
 

My husband and I will be taking the 14 Day Turkish Treasures tour with Gate1 in May. Along with touring and siteseeing ofcourse, one of our favorite things to do is go shopping and bring back handicrafts from each place to decorate our home – its great memories and we’ve got stories for each piece we have up for friends/family.

So considering we will be visiting the following places in the given order, which is the best place (in terms of cost) to go shopping. We don't want to end up wishing we could go back to place "X" because it was best known for "XYZ", because that won't be possible:

Istanbul
Canakkale
Pergamum & Izmir
Pamukkale
Antalya
Cappadocia
Ankara
Istanbul (again)

Istanbul

luvtravelin...

I'm glad to see you plan to go back to Istanbul at the end of your trip!

Last year I did a similar itinerary and started in Istanbul, checked out some places I wanted to shop at and made note of them for when I would be back 2 weeks later.

During the rest of my travels I didn't really see anything I wanted to purchase, plus I didn't want to lug a bunch of stuff around with me for 2 weeks.

When I returned to Istanbul I made my purchases then. I didn't make a huge number of purchases just some ceramics.

And if you are shopping in the bazaars, make sure you bargain! :)

Yes I think Gate1's itinerary worked out well since we can check out the goods the 1st night in istanbul to get an idea to costs and selection and then come back to it at the end of the trip.

But I wasn't sure if there was something that was not to be missed in any other other locations we are visiting.

Yes we plan on visiting all the bazaars in istanbul. We loved the night markets in Thailand and are picturing it to be similar. I have also done shopping in the bazaars in India so I think I know what to expect in terms of chaos and bargaining!

You'll also find lange groups!! of pro pick-pocketers, scammers there. Some agressive.

yikes - thanks for the heads up. I remember reading about it when doing research but keep forgetting. So I guess walking around the markets with a camera is not a good idea?

I think I was able to buy everything I wanted in Istanbul.....but my rule is.....no matter where I am or what future shopping opportunities there may be...... if I see something I REALLY like - I get it then and there.

I have missed out on too many things I really liked because I thought I would be able to find something similar later!

Have a great time! I LOVE Turkey!

>with a camera is not a good idea?
Just take the money you need and a copy of your ID. They are extremely clever. Two or 3 people will walk in front of you, slow you down and won't let you pass. While you're trying to get past them, someone from behind grabs your valuables, once he's finished, the others let you pass and shield the thief from you, just in case you'd notice. Of course they don't know eachother and will block any of your attempts to follow the thief....

Brilliant strategy!!

I think what you need to find out--and I can't help you either, but I am interested as I am visiting Turkey next month--is what areas you are visiting have specialty handicrafts, such as pottery in Cappadocia (the town of Avanos).
I have also read if you are interested in carpets, prices are better outside of Istanbul.
You guidebooks would have such information if you don't get good advice here. Virtual Tourist website usually has good info on shopping also.

As for the Avenos pottery - that is something I would definitely buy there. The showroom of the place I went to was incredible and I while I saw similar pieces in Istanbul - I am glad I bought the piece I did while I was there.

There is an absolutely lovely carpet merchant who has a shop at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. He is on the second floor--you go up the winding staircase in the lobby. I know carpets (my Aunt is one of the world's most famous antiques experts and I work for an auction house), and his carpets are exquisite. He will not cheat you, and will be glad to explain the workmanship and cost of every carpet.

Handmade rugs have the pattern visible on the back as well as the surface. Part the pile and look for rows of knots at the base of the tuft. Absence of either indicates a machine-made rug.

The best and most expensive carpets are made of silk. These carpets will last forever.

Superficially Thin

If you want a rug in Istanbul ,I would go to the state run store that is located in an old turkish bath by the Sophia Haige (sp!) Everything is a set price. There is no pressure. You pull the rugs out yourself and put them back. When you make a selection you take it to the counter. I liked the idea of no pressure sales, taking your own time looking and deciding.There is no tea, no sitting down with the crew dragging out stuff for you and fast talking. I also think the price was good. The building is beautiful and worth the look through just for that alone.

Don't just shop for handicrafts. Istanbul is also a good place to shop for clothes, especially if you are under 5'7" and a bit curvy (but not too curvy). There is good selection of Turkish brands and mid-range Turkish designers - at reasonably good prices. The styles are similar to what you'd find in North America or Western Europe but distinctive enough not to look like exactly what you can find at home.

There are two shopping malls almost side by side that are worth a visit. One is very upscale mall (quite attractive in design, too) called Kanyon (I think). I can't remember the name of the other one but I think it's Metro City. You can reach both on the metro (Levent station - follow signs for Kanyon). The malls are open fairly late on weeknights (possibly as late as 10 pm) and there are some surprisingly decent restaurants in the mall, so you could fit in a shopping trip after a day's sightseeing.

I bought 2 skirt suits and 4 shirts on my last visit there, and have received lots of compliments on them.

I say Istanbul- it seems everything we loved during our Turkish travels was easily located for purchase in Istanbul. And easily packaged for flying or shipping home! I bought several fantastic rugs & ceramics there last May.

We did not feel at all threatened in the Grand Bazaar. Packs of roving pick pockets....I don't think !! Just your normal precautions, we had some great conversations with some turkish people in the Bazaar. Mind you the place is full of a lot of crap. The pottery in Avanos was pretty special...but you need to bargain hard !

>Packs of roving pick pockets....I don't think !!
Yep, they're still unable to get the problem under control. Always the same people and methods.

I never saw any "roving bands of pick pockets" in the Grand Bazaar - but I can imagine them possibly being a problem in some of the other bazaars.

I always felt very safe in the Grand Bazaar.

ok - note to self - beware of the pick-pocketers! :) well my husband and I have travelled to many countries and have always practiced logic and common sense...keeping an eye out for anything unusual. I never carry around a purse when site-seeing, just hold my camera tight. My husband hides the money and cc's well, so hopefully we should be ok.

as for the shopping - thank you all so much. Yes I definitely want to get a nice rug...that would be amazing. But from reading the threads on this board it seems like you almost CANNOT come home without one since the salesmen are so persuasive. I am assuming they come in all qualities and prices...but approx. how much on average would a decent quality 5 x 7 rug be. are we talking less than hundred, in the hundreds?? I guess I should do some research so I know around how much I should pay so I don't get sticker shock. As for the Avenos pottery - I believe our tour group will be visiting avenos - so i can look into getting some pieces there. I have seen photos of the grand bazaar and it looks amazing - so much to buy. ofcourse I have already been ordered to buy a hooka for my brother so I will on the lookout for that. Thanks again for all the help!

It depends. Are you thinking wool or silk? You can get a small woollen one with 100 dollars. Remeber, they are made by hand, knot by knot.

And I didn´t feel any kind of threat in the Grand Bazaar.

I bought a silk runner for kitchen for around $250.00 at the state run store. Wider than most runners you see in the states and about 6-8 feet long. Love it. When I return will buy more. Again, like the state store where there is no pressure or hassles.