Souvenirs from Turkey: 41 Things To Buy In Turkish Cities

During my trip to Turkey, I bought several souvenirs for my family from every city I visited, so I am familiar with the souvenirs of different cities in Turkey, and I intend to share my experience with you in this article.

Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya are great cities for souvenir shopping in Turkey. Leather bags and shoes, Turkish clothes, spices, clay dishes, copper dishes, and other goods of this country are among the most important souvenirs of Turkey. This article from Travelling Topic will share information about what to buy in Turkey.

The good news is that there are many things to buy in Turkey that will remind you of your good trip to this country and are an excellent choice for home decoration.

Spice

After you spend a few days in Turkey, you will realize that spices are also prevalent in this country. The widest variety of spices can be found in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, where many shops sell spices wholesale to locals. Food lovers will enjoy the aroma and taste of all these spices; fresh saffron is one of the most famous.

Carpet

One of the most expensive things to buy in Turkey is a Turkish carpet. Professional collectors from all over the world come to this country to buy Turkish carpets, because these carpets are famous for their quality and the artistic expertise used in them. Turkish women spend months weaving a carpet of different sizes. The symbols on the rugs also represent various traditional beliefs.

Clay dishes

Clay dishes is sold in all tourist spots, but the small town of Avanos in Cappadocia is famous for producing these products and pottery masterpieces. Local artisans procure the required clay from the Red River and use it to make beautiful dishes and decorations. Also, besides shopping, you can try this profession with a pottery wheel.

Copper dishes

Copper dishes are more specific to the southeastern part of Turkey, where old techniques are still used to make these dishes. The most famous copper vessels are copper jars and pots. In Turkey, the copper business still has many fans.

Turkish clothes

A large amount of wool and cotton is produced in Turkey, and for this reason, a large number of clothes with different qualities are sewn in this country. In addition to Turkish brands, some of the most famous clothing brands in the world have branches in Turkey.

You can learn more about Turkish clothes by reading the article “Cheap Clothing Brands In Turkey“.

Above, I introduced the most important souvenirs you can buy from Turkey. Below, I will introduce souvenirs specific to each city so that when you travel to one of them, you can buy souvenirs specific to that city.

Istanbul souvenirs

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. The variety of things to buy in Istanbul is excellent; among the souvenirs of this city, I can mention handicrafts, carpets and rugs, and ornaments. Due to the diversity of goods in Istanbul and the fact that most travelers travel to this city with the intention of shopping, I will introduce markets and goods that can be purchased.

There are more than four thousand shops in the Kapali Carsi market of Istanbul. This market has alleys, each of which has a name based on the activity performed. 

Among the best products of this market that can be bought are copper, brass, ceramic and carpet, gold, jewelry, leather clothes and various handicrafts. Also, a part of this market will be attractive to people interested in antiques.

Turkish tea: Black tea is one of the favorite drinks of Turks. If you go to different restaurants in Istanbul, you will see people drinking tea. Turks use a device called çaydanlık to brew tea. So, if you buy Turkish tea as a souvenir, buy a çaydanlık as well.

Turkish tea costs around 2 to 8 dollars, and you can buy it at the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
You can read the article “Where to Buy Turkish Tea In Istanbul” for more information.

Baklava: Baklava is one of Istanbul’s most delicious and traditional souvenirs, which you can eat and take to others. This delicious pastry is filled with pistachios and has a delicious taste. The main shopping center for Baklava in Istanbul is İstiklal Street. The price of one kilogram of baklava is about 30 dollars.

To learn about the most popular baklava shops in Istanbul, read the article “Famous Turkish Delight Shop In Istanbul“.

Towel: You may wonder why I have introduced the towel as a souvenir of Istanbul, but I must mention that the towels of Istanbul differ from the rest of the world. Istanbul towels have high water absorption power; after bathing, you can completely dry your body and hair. The interesting thing about these towels is that they are hand-woven. The price of these towels is around 10-20 dollars. At the time of purchase, pay attention to buying only hand-woven towels.

To know where to buy these towels, read the article “Where To Buy Turkish Towels In Istanbul“.

Turkish lamps: I saw many shops selling colorful lamps in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. One of the most memorable things you can buy in Istanbul is these lamps. At the time of purchase, ask the seller to pack the lamps so they do not break during transportation.

Where to buy souvenirs from Istanbul?

1. Akmerkez shopping center: supply of all kinds of clothes.
2. Istanbul Arts Bazaar: supply of Istanbul handicrafts.

Ankara souvenirs

After Istanbul, Ankara is the largest city in Turkey and the capital of Turkey, and it is the center of Turkey’s commercial, economic and political activities. Ankara, like other cities in Turkey, welcomes many travelers who come to this city for leisure and business trips. Ankara also has many shopping malls; in this city, you can get brand-name bags, shoes and clothes at reasonable prices.

Blue evil eye: Blue Evil Eye is one of the accessories sold in all Turkish cities, especially Ankara. Turks believe that the blue evil eye symbol can drive away bad thoughts and negative energies. This is why you see ornaments with this role in cars, houses, markets, and even on the streets during the journey.

Below you can see the list of different Ankara souvenirs:

• Jewellery
• clothing
• Household
• Clay patterned plates
• Calligraphy products
• Patterned fabric bags
• Lace and embroidered fabrics

Where to buy souvenirs from Ankara?

1. Forum Ankara Shopping Center is One of the most famous shopping centers in Ankara, which has entertainment and comfort centers and stores.
2. Ankara Kizilay Shopping Center is one of the newest shopping centers in Ankara, and you can find modern goods.
3. Anka Mall: This market offers vintage items such as carpets, copperware, needlework and antiques.
4. Armada Ankara Shopping Center is one of Ankara’s most beautiful shopping centers.
5. Galleria Ankara Shopping Center is The most famous shopping center in Ankara and has a long history.

Antalya souvenirs

Antalya is one of the most beautiful ports in Turkey and has earned the title of tourism paradise. Antalya is an excellent place to travel, with natural attractions such as a clear sea and beautiful pine trees. Among the most important Things to buy in Antalya, I can mention baklava, jewelry, bags, shoes, clothes and leather goods.

Ceramic dishes: These dishes are one of Ankara’s handicrafts. The clay needed to make this pottery is collected from the rivers around Antalya. Turkish ceramic dishes are mostly decorative, and fewer of them are used for daily use. 

Apple tea: Apple tea is a refreshing, tasty, aromatic drink with many properties. As a relaxing tea, this tea has effective effects on the user. I tested this delicious tea during my trip to Antalya, and I suggest you drink it and buy some of it as a souvenir.

Where to buy souvenirs from Antalya?

1. Mark Antalya Shopping Center is one of the newest shopping centers in Antalya.
2. Antalya Grand Bazaar: a market with many goods that will get your attention.
3. Depot Antalya Shopping Center: Another beautiful shopping center in Antalya where you can buy beautiful gifts.

Kusadasi souvenirs

Another tourist city in Turkey is Kusadasi. This city has many beauties, and along with enjoying these attractions, shopping and buying gifts from Kusadasi will be very enjoyable. The best Kusadasi Things to buy are antiques, jewelry, leather, precious stones and Turkish rugs available in this city’s shops.

Where to buy souvenirs from Kusadasi ?

1. Kush Shopping Center is one of the cheap shopping centers in Kusadasi and in this market, you can buy clothes and other items from brands such as Adidas, Benton and Levi’s.
2. Kusadasi Old Market is also called the Grand Bazaar, where you can buy all kinds of handicrafts, spices, pottery, and plaster sculptures as Kusadasi goods.

Bodrum souvenirs

Among the best Things to buy in Bodrum, I can mention its handicrafts, which are very prosperous. Bodrum sandals are also world-famous. On the other hand, leather clothing, needlework, decorative items, beadwork, knitting, and silver ornaments are can be bought from Bodrum. Another things that can be bought from Bodrum is Milas handwoven fabrics.

Where to buy souvenirs from Bodrum?

1. Oasis Charshi Liman Bodrum shopping center: one of the centers where Turkish brand goods are offered.
2. Bodrum Bazaar: Strolling through this local market with the smell of spices and seeing beautiful handicrafts attracts the attention of tourists.

Izmir souvenirs

Izmir is the largest city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara. In Izmir, you can buy Turkish clothes made from Turkish fabrics, brand clothes, bags, shoes, etc., as goods of Izmir.

Where to buy souvenirs from Izmir?

1. Alsancak area of ​​Izmir: all kinds of clothes from different brands can be purchased there.
2. Izmir Konak Pier: Shops with famous brands and quality cosmetics can be found.

In summary

Shopping in Turkey is one of the most exciting things you can do because you can buy anything you can think of in this country. The most famous Turkish souvenirs can be found in most of the cities of this country; if you go to one of these cities, be sure to buy them as souvenirs and remember to bargain with the sellers to give you a discount.

Also, be careful not to buy Turkish antiques because when you leave Turkey, Airport officials will take them from you and won’t let you take them back to your country.