This shop is amazing for drummers. The prices for Turkish made cymbals are more that two times…read moreless expensive than they are in the US. The Istanbul Mehmet brand is phenomenal. These last for a long time and very rarely break. The staff is kind and very helpful. They also speak English.

This place is amazing. We walked by, thinking it was closed because the shutter was down. We…read moreknocked and suddenly the shutters start opening to reveal the smiling owner. We Ended up spending over an hour in this gem of a store talking to the owner and listening to records. He demoed records for us and told us stories about each. Great guy and wonderful store!

Nice tiny shop in Hak Pasaji, Nisantasi, full of interesting old books, toy soldiers, engravings,…read morepaintings and objects.

I was looking froward to the Grand Bazaar and while I'm glad I was able to see it, I would…read morerecommend visiting the Spice Bazaar instead. First, to describe, the Grand Bazaar was overwhelmingly smokey. With the heat the smell was even more unpleasant on top of being extremely crowded and I was disappointed to learn from our guide that everything luxury branded is fake. Our visit was included in a tour we took and while I'm glad I was able to visit it, I much preferred the Spice Bazaar which was less busy and had better air quality. All in all, I wouldn't recommend taking a tour that includes the Grand Bazaar during the Summer but stopping in on your own time for a few minutes to take in the history of the space is definitely worth it.

I knew what to expect when I was going to this shopping district, but I was just not in thr mood…read morefor the haggling. I wanted to walk around and check out the stuff maybe get something to eat and purchase 2 t-shirts. lol. However, that plan ended quickly. Window shopping in peace is not an option. Don't get me wrong. the locals are very sweet and everyone wants you to stop by their shop. Each section sells similar to the same products. I stopped to get my two shirts and the bidding started at $40 for two t-shirts. I just smiled said no thank you and left. lol. I absolutely could've stayed and played the back and forth haggling but I wasn't interested. I walked around got lost trying to get back to the tram because this place was huge. They sell just about any and everything. All I can say is I went and don't have to go back. lol.

One of the Toy's R Us style toy shop that you find in every shopping mall. They have pretty much…read moreevery favorite toys for kids. Gift wrapping is standard that is awesome. Nothing like you can see in the US. It is surprisingly free too. Prices are little higher than US but it is ok Global world makes everything smaller. You think you can't find certain things at different places, you are wrong. Same toys are available through same shops or different shops, little different prices but they are available. I like Turkish Toy shop. First they act like they are family owned even they are franchise. They make you feel comfortable and very polite. They talk to you if you are not a grumpy person. If you visit Turkey just check them out.

Small cool intimate venue for unique art pieces. Just saw the opening of 'all we ever wanted was…read moreeverything' on 6 May 2016. New art shows there regularly. A great neighborhood, not gentrified. Museum of Innocence is a few blocks away. Get some wine and then let your mind expand with some contemporary art.

As my friend and I were walking up the small steep streets to the Galata tower we came across this…read morefantastic little shop selling a variety of different hand crafted items. During our trip we found ourselves returning several times to this store for the unique, high quality, authentic, and decently priced handiwork. This is a tiny little shop and jam packed with unique items - hand crafted belts, shirts, and the crocheted jewellery. Every time we went in we saw something different. The crocheted jewellery was common to find in other shops as well, but wasn't exactly the same here. This store seemed to take the local common handiwork and find ways in which to make something new and stylish from it. Fantastic little place and I definitely love the unique pieces I purchased here. The service was also very friendly.