2 Best Places to Shop in Turkey

A small shopfront with towels and shawls out front disguises a veritable bower of authentic treasures inside: textiles, one-off designed clothes using silks and cotton in Ottoman-influenced styles, hanging colored lights, china tea cups, gemstones set in silver jewelry, and brass ornaments. The owner, Hatice, is happy to let you explore the shop, and to explain items.

This shop specializes in game boards and boxes, including a collection of one-of-a-kind backgammon boards. From wooden hand-carved boards from Armenia to ornate mother-of-pearl inlaid options from Turkey, Syria, Egypt, and Iran, there are options for a range of price points and styles.