Thread: Shopping in Istanbul & Turkey in general

First, I have seen the link provided about shopping in Istanbul & I appreciate it. However, I don't know how much shopping I'll be able to do while in Istanbul (I'm going with a pretty tightly scheduled group) & I may only be going to the Grand Bazaar. So, if I can only go to the Grand Bazaar & cannot spend any great amount of time in a specific store (I may only have 1-2hrs total to shop), what should I look for bellydance-wise? I'm planning on going this next Spring.

FYI that I'll also be visiting Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Ephasus & Izmir.

TIA!!

What you should look for depends on what you want
Are you looking for costumes or hip scarves? Jewellery? It's all there. And 1 - 2 hours isn't an awful lot of time - especially not in the Grand Basar.
But I suggest that you go to only one or two of the recommended vendors like Ali Baba. You might spend your entire hour there! After all you have to try on the costumes before buying them to avoid dissapointment later.

But you must do all the bellydance shopping in Istanbul - don't expect to find anything decent in the rest of the country.

Happy travels!

MEISSOUN

Hi,

When you're going to Istanbul? I am just back and I loved it!! Normally I go back February-or March...
There isn't so much, I would also recommend Ali Baba! Maybe when you have more time, Bella is the best. I send you the address of Ali Baba and Bella later on.

Hope you will have a great time!!

sille

I'm really not looking for full costumes although if one caught my eye I'd grab it. I'm mostly looking for music & interesting jewelry (tribal stuff). I got an updated schedule & looks like we'll have a full afternoon at the Grand Bazaar. I know its probably still not enough but better than 1-2hrs.

I am going to Turkey in mid-March.

When I was in Istanbul, I had the time for searching in the grand Bazaar. I didn't look for full costumes but as you want the tribal jewelry, music etc... unfortanally I found just one you sold tribal jewelry, but it was very expensive. I also don't have any address or so :-( Music I didn't find, there are a few little shops how are selling cd's, but when I asked some of the locals or cd's and stuff, they told me the Grand Bazaar isn't really the right place to find them. Ali Baba is a good shop if you like to by skirts, harem pants, ....

If I am the same period as you in Istanbul, maybe we meet at the Grand Bazaar and I can try to guide you to the few belle dance shops, so you want loose time in searching. ;-)

Give me 1,5 weeks

I am leaving for Istanbul next Monday and we'll make a tour of the Basar with a local guy who knows every shop there ever was.
I will be updating my shopping guide ASAP when I come home so you will find all the addresses you need here: Istanbul - Adresses for Shopping

MEISSOUN