Experiences
Artisan Favourites
But what should you look out for? İstanbul offers an abundance of artisan, hand made and carefully crafted items, most of which are for sale in the many shops and bazaars. So what can we find?
Turkish lamps are a wonderful keepsake if you like light and bright colours. Carpets and kilims for sale will catch your eye as you stroll through the carpet market of the Grand Bazaar.
Many artisans in İstanbul offer İznik tiles, which are colourful pieces of tile or pottery in dark reds and blues that can still be seen in old historical mosques and museums.
Meerschaum is more elegantly known as ‘sea foam’, a literal translation of the German word for the white, ivory-like substance found in the Black Sea region. Meerschaum is most commonly used to make pipes with carved designs on the bowl; this is one of the few places in the world where you can still find the real thing. You can also find jewellery and other accessories made from meerschaum.
With one foot on two different continents, İstanbul is one of the best places to find antiques. Trade routes from the Far East and the West have passed through İstanbul for hundreds of years, leaving the city with a fascinating arsenal of rare antiques from all over the world. Some of the most valuable and interesting pieces come from distant lands, but if you are looking for something local, look out for Ottoman metalwork.
Embroidery, golden silk threads, and hand painting, known as Yazma, are prominent design features of Turkish textiles that can be bought as such or made into beautiful scarves, dresses, cushions, and other household items.
İstanbul is known for its traditional handicrafts, but the city is also full of small boutiques selling contemporary handmade goods and products. In Karaköy, you can visit interesting shops and explore the small alleys of one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. The Nişantaşı district is home to international and Turkish designers.
Jewellery making has long been an important and respected trade in Türkiye, dating back to Ottoman times when the royal family employed dozens of artisans. Today, it is still one of Türkiye’s leading handicrafts, and many stone inlay techniques were originally developed in the Ottoman court almost 500 years ago. Jewellery shopping in İstanbul is a great way to pass the time, with many artisans offering unique designs and gemstones in abundance.
If you are looking for bathroom towel luxury, İstanbul is the place for you. Peştamal, are used in Turkish hamam baths and are hand woven from 100 per cent Turkish cotton, a particularly robust and high-quality fibre.
