Shopping in Istanbul Part One
Istanbul Shopping Guide Part 1
The Mega Outlets Edition
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Istanbul is the only city in the world that lays on two continents. This mega city, is one of the worlds biggest urban areas (the biggest in Turkey) and its continued development breaks every imaginary limit. Here you will find three massive bridges over the Bosphorus, one underwater car tunnel and also an underwater metro line, that will take you from Europe to Asia and return.
The former capital of the Byzantine Empire, explodes history, culture and art. It is one of the most amazing cities one can ever see.
To satisfy the needs of the millions living here, impressive infrastructure was provided. Istanbul is, besides its normal tourism, also a medical tourism hot point by having an incredible developed health sector.
Want more? Oh yes!
In our opinion, Istanbul is the shopping capital of Europe. Everything you think of, is easy to find here. From high end fashion, to new cutlery to bring home, Istanbul is ready to serve you.
Because I could honestly write a book about shopping in Istanbul, I have divided the “Istanbul Shopping Guide” in several parts. Each part will provide important details for every category. I will cover everything, from the Grand Bazaar to baby clothes and wedding dresses. Once a month, in a Sunday, a new part of the shopping guide will be posted.
Viaport Asia Outlet
Address
Yenişehir Mah. Dedepaşa Cad. No:19
ViaPort – Pendik / İstanbul
The largest outlet center in Turkey.
Because curiosity kills the cat, we once measured the distance from one entrance to another and it is almost one kilometer. The outlet center offers you shopping, restaurants and also entertainment. A big amusement park is there, cinema and bowling, and also an airsoft area.
The restaurants are divers and spread all over the outlet. You can grab some simits or stay at a nice terrace to enjoy your food. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the outlet center, but also most restaurants have free internet access for customers. Maybe you will get inspired of what to have for lunch, from here:
The shopping area is very big, having over 250 outlet stores, you will probably spend here a full day. Everything here is at outlet price, but best prices will be found in their sales seasons. My favorite sales seasons are at the middle-end April and beginning-middle December.
In general, besides the outlet prices, or being out of the sale season, you will still find some extra discounts. “Indirim” or “1 Alana 1 Bedava” are the magic words, the first is generally written very big at the entrance and translates to: sale or discount, and the second phrase means: buy one, get one free.
The Stores
The whole list of shopping stores:
http://viaport.com.tr/en/stores
I will talk about our personal favorite stores for each category. Please remember that, truthfully all stores must be visited and each of them has something in particular to offer.
Clothing
Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Cacharel, Hugo Boss, Levi’s, Beymen Outlet – you will find small discounts to the outlet price every time, but the best time to visit these stores are when the sales seasons start. They usually have very big discounts to the outlet price and you will probably find yourself waiting in line at the cashier.
Colin’s, DeFacto, D’s Damat, Ipekyol, Koton, LC Waikiki, LTB, Lufian, Mango, Mavi, NetWork, Penti, Pierre Cardin, Suvari, U.S. Polo ASSN – they have very affordable prices all year round. It is impossible not to find something to buy from them. We shop heavily at USPA and love the T-Shirts and tops from Colin’s. Side Note: in the outlet center, you will find 3 USPA stores: one just for kids and the other two for adults. If you entered in one of the adults’ stores, please also visit the other one, because they have some different products. For nice underwear, bras and pajamas, you should pay a visit to Penti, they have a very big range of nice quality products.
Electronics
The prices for electronic goods in Turkey, are similar to the ones displayed in the E.U.. Sometimes, when there is a sales campaign going on, they have discounts at Turkish electronic brands or accessories. Best shops are: Media Markt and Tekno SA.
Shoes and Bags
Bambi, Deichmann, Flo – they display a very big and cheap range of shoes and bags. Discounts can be found all year round.
Adidas, Deriden, Derimod, Derinet, Ecco, Guess, Tamer Tanca, Nike, Puma, Reebok, Skechers, Sport in Street – they also have affordable prices, not comparable to the ones listed up, but in general outlet prices. They have some offers all-year round, but those are best to visit on sales season. When they have big discounts, we have encountered even 1h waiting line at Nike and Adidas.
Children’s clothing and toys
Chicco, Ebebek, Toyyz Shop, USPA Kids – are some of our favorite stores to shop for the little ones. You probably know Chicco strollers or bottles and know that they are very good quality. In Turkey, Chicco products are way cheaper than in E.U. . Ebebek is a children superstore. You can find everything you need in here, for your little baby.
Kitchen and Home textiles
Bella Maison, Bernardo, Karaka, English Home, Koctas, Madame Coco, Schafer, Tefal – for a home deco passionate, this are great places to shop. At Tefal, Karaka and Schafer you can find very nice small home appliances. For great quality pots and pans, you should also visit them. I personally love the Schafer products. Very nice tableware, cutlery and dishes are at Bernardo and Karaka, sometimes also at Schafer. For textiles, visit all of them. Koctas is a very big bricolage store and everything you want for your home, can be found there.
Jewelry and Accessories
Sunglasses: Atasun Optik – they have in general the best prices, and if you go in a sales period, you will probably return home with a pair or two.
Pandora and Swarovski – have considerably cheaper prices than in E.U.
Venezia Mega Outlet
Küçükköy,
Eski Edirne Asfaltı
Metris Kavşağı, İstanbul
The Beautiful Outlet
It is the second largest outlet center in Istanbul, but the most beautiful one. Imagine shopping in a picturesque surrounding. The outlet promenade is fabulous and you can also take a gondola for a tour on the canal.
This is also a very large outlet center, with over 180 shops available and also a very big entertainment area.
Most of the shops are the same as from Viaport, but sometimes we visit both mega outlets because we find different products. Two stores in particular, are only in Venezia, and I do come just for them.
Barrels & Oil – they have a very wide range of products for both men and women. It is a very big store with very affordable prices. I shop every time here, for fun homeware or pajamas. They are good quality and super fun.
Tac, Pierre Cardin – home accessories. I love the quality of the home textiles from here. In my opinion, here you will find the best quality beddings, bathroom ware and table cloths.
The whole list of shopping stores:
http://veneziamegaoutlet.com/shops
Shopaholics
This is roughly a presentation of the two mega outlets that this enormous city has to offer. We shop in both of them every time we go to Istanbul. I recommend taking a full day for each.
If you cannot visit both, it is nice to have options, depending on which continent you are staying. As approximate distance, from Sultanahmet area:
Viaport Asia Outlet – about 45 km and 40-90 min drive
Venezia Mega Outlet – about 20 km and 25-40 min drive
In conclusion, for us Istanbul is a shopping paradise and one of our recent years’ habits, have been shopping here. So, the Istanbul Mega Outlets are…
Travelicious.