 Although opening times vary a lot, basically the shops are open between 09:00 – 19:00.
The Grand bazaar in Istanbul is open between 08:00 – 19:00 except Sundays.
No corner of Istanbul is like any other. Despite appearances, the same applies to the city's 11 million inhabitants, as recorded by the latest census. Even districts that stand right next to one another are very different, from their houses to their shops, and their streets to their traders. You can find everything in the world that you might be looking for and more in Istanbul, where people from all walks of life live together in a tremendous hustle and bustle: The mystery of the East and the practicality of the West
Goods from all the regions that make up the brightly-coloured tapestry that is modern Turkey are sold in the famous rug and carpet shops. As well as giftware made of pottery, wicker, wood, copper and silver, the Covered Bazaar is also a center for leather goods and accessories.
Besides, İstanbul has many modern shopping centers. These centers have everything you need: Restaurants, cinemas, hairdressers, banks, a bureau de change, vendors of electronic and orthopedic goods, motoring accessories, a tailor, a shoe polisher, a pet shop and a supermarket, etc. The hundreds of top-quality shops in the exclusive districts on either side of Istanbul, Bagdat Caddesi (on the Asian shore) and Nişantaşı (on the European), comprise their own distinct shopping centres. The devotee of shopping can find everything there, from jewellery to shoes, from clothes and accessories to antiques, and from furniture to carpets
It would be out of the question to leave Istanbul without visiting the traditional markets set up on particular days in various parts of the city. These have a delightful, local flavour of their own, with their sales patters and thousand and one items on display. These markets are set up in areas set aside by local municipalities, and are known by the days of the week when they take place. The best known are Salı Pazarı (Tuesdays) in Kadıköy on the Asian side, Çarşamba Pazarı (Wednesdays) in Fatih and Cumartesi Pazarı (Saturdays) in Beşiktaş, both on the European side
Although most traders are men, market shoppers are predominantly women on the lookout for bargains and good buys. A vast range of goods is available at the most attractive prices, from underwear to vacuum cleaners, from perfumes to make-up, from plastics to the finest china and hand-made rugs and embroidered articles from various regions of Anatolia. As evening falls, so do the prices. If you go in the morning, however, you will be able to buy a whole range of tasty delights prepared by an army of housewives, such as cakes, filled flaky pastries, pies and stuffed vegetables, as well as other shopping, before rounding the day off with a cup of tea as dusk sets in. The markets of Istanbul cannot be recommended strongly enough to anyone keen on finding a wide range of bargains and at the same time casting an eye over one extraordinary aspect of the mosaic of modern Turkey. Another feature of shopping in Istanbul is antiques, which are offered for sale in shops in a number of districts. These are to be found at he most reasonable prices, and bear the traces of peoples' lives from throughout the city's long history. The antique markets of Çukurcuma in Beyoglu and Horhor in Aksaray on the European side of the city, and in Kadikoy and Uskudar on the Asian side are the best places to look for such things, with their characteristic features of both Anatolia and Istanbul, at affordable prices
All anyone who wants to take home some traditional Turkish desserts or candies has to do is to drop in at the famous Misir Çarşısı (Egyptian Market) at Eminonu, one of the oldest settlements on the European side, Balikpazari (Fish Market) at Beyoglu, or visit downtown Kadikoy. There one can find a wide range of peppers, honey, varieties of local cheeses, dried spiced beef, sausages, braised beef, an astonishing variety of medic inal herbs, different teas, and even herbs and charms to ward off the evil eye which are to be found in every Turkish home. As well as all the shopping centers and markets that supply everything the truly dedicated shopper could ever need, the city of Istanbul itself is one great big bazaar. Make the most of it. And happy shopping!
Akmerkez Shopping Mall
Nispetiye Cad. Etiler
Akmerkez the most award winning shopping center of Turkey
Shopping centres in the US are constructed with a specific shop mix goal in mind. There are approximately 40.000 shopping centres in the US and this sector is experiencing a major recession. As this sector is newly developing in Turkey, it is expected to make a significant impact through changing lifestyle and shopping practices here. The lifestyle of people living in big cities is becoming more and more a race with time, giving rise to many new ideas and high standards.
Restaurants / Bars
 You’ll enjoy dining out in Istanbul as this industry continues to grow and improve through the years. Besides the traditional Turkish or Ottoman cusine offered (which you must definitely try), Istanbul is now full of restaurants-from Indian to Sushi ! Meals in traditional Turkish restaurants start with a selection of cold appetizers called ‘meze’. Here you’ve a choice ranging from various vegetable dishes in olive oil to cheese and melon. Afterwards, there is a choice of hot appetizers which include fried liver, pastry (börek), cheese rolls, and in seafood restaurants, fried calamari, shrimp etc. In kebab restaurants, you’ll also be offered lahmacun (Turkish meat pizza) and various soups such as lentil soup (mercimek çorbası) or Ezo Gelin soup. At most restaurants, the cold appetizers are brought to your table on a large tray and you choose the ones you like. Make sure you leave room for the fish if dining at a seafood restaurant. The waiter will tel you what the catch of the day is and than you can decide how you would like it cooked. At kebab restaurants, your choices of meat, chicken and lamb are extensive as well. You also have a variety of desserts to choose from at these types of restaurants : those made with pastry or flour dippen in rich syrup (baklava, künefe); fresh fruit or milk puddings (sütlaç, chocolate souffle), or baked quince or pear served with heavy whipped cream (kaymak). End your meal with a nice cup of Turkish coffee with a cognac !.
Turkey produces a number of fine wines. You can also choose from a nice selection of international wines. However, the more courageous should try the local favorite, rakı (an anisette favored drink) which is mainly preffered when dining at a seafood restaurant. As stated earlier, İstanbul has an extansive number of restaurants offering different cuisines from around the world. You will find a selection of them in our listings don’t forget to say ‘Afiyet Olsun’ (bon appetit) at the beginning and at the end of a meal. |
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