Experiences
Shop Till You Drop
While there are dozens of great shopping centres and areas throughout the city, there are also a few behemoths that are worth a visit for their impressive architecture alone. However, these are not just architectural marvels - there are plenty of great retail opportunities within their walls, and you are sure to find everything you are looking for in İstanbul.
On the outskirts of the city, on the approach to Maslak, is İstinye Park, one of İstanbul’s most spectacular shopping centres. Housing every world-class brand and local shops in everything from fashion, electronics, and cosmetics to trendy cafes and restaurants, this centre has it all.
Home to more than 300 stores it gives a good impression of the grandeur and spectacle that is İstinye. The mall has a gleaming canopy of arcades, an outdoor dining area that revolves around a garden with fountains that are illuminated at night. It’s easy to spend a happy family day at the mall, which also boasts the city’s first IMAX cinema and a variety of international cuisine in its 40 cafés and restaurants.
But what really stands out in İstinye Park is the outdoor area, which is organised like a small village where every well-known luxury brand and restaurant has its own building.
The balanced presentation of outdoor and indoor areas offers visitors an atmosphere that is both refreshing and comfortable. Visitors can easily find their way around as the shops are arranged along a single corridor. Activities for people of different ages or interests are offered at various points. The charming interplay of water and light makes the environment pleasant for visitors.
With its huge glass dome and glass ceilings, the mall brings sunshine and perfect harmony between indoor comfort and outdoor airiness. Visitors can experience the pleasure of sitting under a shady tree, chatting with a merchant, watching a movie in a state-of-the-art cinema, or enjoying an active city life. Everything is possible under one roof.
While it’s always exciting to find a bargain, shopping in İstanbul is much more than high-end malls and affordable designer goods. The city has a long history as a trading centre, and nothing symbolises this more than the gigantic Grand Bazaar, with over 4,000 shops in more than 60 streets.
Finding your way around the Grand Bazaar is an adventure in itself, and you can spend all day strolling through it without seeing even a fraction of what is on offer. Plus, unlike in the shopping malls, you have the opportunity to haggle here.
