Shopping
Shopping in Istanbul is a mixture of old, new,
antique, exotic and unadulterated kitsch. Souvenirs, spices,
leather goods, carpets, kilims and earthenware are all popular buys
with tourists, but the experience is more about wandering through
the winding streets and markets, taking everything in and hunting
for bargains. The most notable market is the Grand Bazaar, which
boasts over 4,000 shops and, just in case that's not enough, the
entire market is surrounded by a maze of streets lined with even
more shops! Just about everything and anything can be found at the
Grand Bazaar and haggling is an essential skill. The Egyptian
market and the flea market in Beyazit Square are also worth a
visit. Outside the Grand Bazaar, to the east, Nuruosmaniye Caddesi
is the place to buy jewellery, and fine art boutiques can be found
nestled down the side streets. A shopping trip in Istanbul is not
complete without buying a box of Turkish delight, which can be
found all over the city and in souks and specialist shops. Most
shops in Istanbul are open from 8am until roughly 9pm, and
religious shopkeepers will close for an hour on Friday at lunchtime
for prayers at the Mosque. In many areas shops are closed on
Sundays. Non-European tourists can apply for a tax refund depending
on the nature of the goods that have been purchased. In Turkey, the
minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is TRY100 and visitors
will need to request a VAT refund request form when making a
purchase.
