Türkiye is a wonderful place to shop. From Istanbul's Grand Bazaar to the local markets of Cappadocia, there are handmade treasures waiting around every corner. There are also plenty of tourist traps. As a local guide, here is what I think is worth buying and where to find it.
Iznik ceramics and tiles
Traditional Iznik ceramics are one of Türkiye's most iconic crafts: plates, bowls and tiles hand-painted with floral motifs in blue, red and turquoise. The authentic pieces are made in Kütahya and Iznik.
Be careful: a lot of the ceramics sold in the Grand Bazaar are imported from China. Look for pieces with a slightly irregular finish (a sign of genuine handwork) and ask to see the workshop's stamp.
Turkish carpets and kilims
A Turkish carpet is an investment for life. You will find silk carpets from Hereke (the most expensive), hand-knotted Anatolian wool carpets and brightly coloured flat-woven kilims. The price depends on the material, the number of knots per square centimetre and the age of the piece.
I recommend buying only from shops you can trust, never from sellers in the street. If you are interested, I can take you to craft workshops where you can watch how carpets are made.
Spices and Turkish teas
Istanbul's Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, is the ideal place to buy saffron, sumac, smoked paprika and spice blends. You will also find Turkish tea from the Black Sea region, as well as pomegranate, apple and rose infusions.
Turkish delight (lokum)
Real lokum, or Turkish delight, has nothing in common with the boxes sold at airports. The best-known makers are Hafız Mustafa (since 1864) and Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir (since 1777). Flavours to try: pistachio, rose, pomegranate and double pistachio. My guide to Turkish sweets tells you what else to taste.
Turkish mosaic lamps
Colourful mosaic glass lamps are the most photogenic souvenir in Türkiye. They are made by hand, by gluing small pieces of coloured glass onto a metal frame. At the time of writing (2026), prices run from about €15 for a small lamp to €100 or more for a ceiling lamp.
Other souvenirs worth buying
- Nazar boncuğu (the evil eye bead): the blue amulet that wards off the evil eye, on everything from bracelets to home decorations.
- Olive oil soaps from the Aegean coast.
- Pistachio baklava from Gaziantep, which many consider the best in the world.
- Leather goods in the Grand Bazaar (haggling is a must).
- Ground Turkish coffee and a copper cezve, the traditional coffee pot.
Tips for shopping in the bazaars
Always haggle: the first price you hear is usually two to three times the real one. Compare prices in several shops before you buy. And be wary of anyone who invites you in for tea and then puts pressure on you to buy: it's a classic sales tactic. A glass of tea on its own commits you to nothing.
On my Istanbul shopping tour, I take you to the best craftspeople and help you get fair prices.