Istanbul is one of the most popular destinations among tourists in the Middle East. It is one of Turkey’s most popular and famous cities, and every year, many travelers come to this city for a vacation. Istanbul is filled with attractions that attract a large number of tourists. Despite the attractions, Istanbul has a rich culture and heritage that foreign visitors would like to get closer to and know this city better.
Every traveler who visits a city or country for the first time is curious to learn about its culture and brings a souvenir for herself or her friends and family to remember the great times she had there.
16 best souvenirs to bring back from Istanbul – food & handicrafts
Istanbul is a city in Turkey with Turkish culture and an Islamic religion, two main aspects of its culture. Istanbul’s long history and rich heritage are why you will see various kinds of souvenirs in this city, from edible to small and big handicrafts.
Istanbul has many souvenirs, from cheap to expensive, edible to artificial, popular to less known. This article will name all the souvenirs you will see in Istanbul and help you choose the perfect souvenir or gift based on your budget and taste.
We divided Istanbul‘s souvenirs into two groups: edible and handicrafts.
Istanbul’s edible souvenirs
Istanbul is a heaven for food lovers. An essential part of your trip to Istanbul is sampling the delicious food and desserts you can enjoy on the streets or in fancy restaurants.
Some popular Istanbul souvenirs are ingredients used to cook or process traditional Turkish food and desserts. We continue by naming some of Istanbul’s favorite edible souvenirs.
- Turkish coffee
- Turkish tea
- Baklava
- Lokum (Turkish Delight)
- Turkish spices
- Olive oil
- Sumac
Turkish coffee
Istanbul is probably a coffee lover’s lost heaven. Turkish people have a unique way of making, serving, and drinking coffee that has been part of their culture for centuries. If you are a caffeine addict and a coffee lover, you should try Turkish coffee on your trip to Istanbul.
You can buy Turkish coffee powders from Istanbul and bring them home to drink with your friends and family. The taste and smell of Turkish coffee will take you back to the great memories you had in Istanbul. You can bring this delicious souvenir to your loved ones back home and share the good experience with them.
Baklava
Baklava is one of the most fabulous souvenirs you can get from Istanbul. This delightful and delicious dessert is a layered confection filled with chopped nuts (mostly pistachio and walnut) and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is from the Ottoman Empire and is very popular among locals and travelers.
You can bring back Baklava from Istanbul as a souvenir, but this dessert should be kept in a refrigerator.
Turkish tea
Tea is one of the most common drinks worldwide, but the taste of tea is not the same in different cities or countries. Every culture and nation has its unique way of making and drinking coffee. Turkish tea is a popular drink in this country, and drinking tea is a complete ceremony in their culture, with a tradition for every step, from making to serving and drinking.
Make sure you try Turkish tea on your visit to Istanbul. If you want, you can bring herbs that you like back home and make the same beverage at home. When you return from your trip, you can enjoy this relaxing beverage to evoke your lovely memories of Istanbul.
Herbs and dry tea are popular souvenirs among tourists in Istanbul. Most tourists bring tea and herbs from Istanbul as souvenirs for two reasons: light and easy to handle and delicious and delightful.
Lokum (Turkish Delight)
Another Turkish pastry that is a popular souvenir is the Turkish delight or Lokum. This dessert is like gummi candy, only much healthier, tastier, and fresher. Lokum is either mixed with nuts or just the gel itself.
You can bring this tasty dessert home as a gift or a souvenir. Lokum is less sweet than Baklava, so this is a better choice if you are not that much of a sweet-teeth person.
Olive oil
The Mediterranean lands are the homeland of olives. Turkey is located in the Middle Eastern part of the Mediterranean region and is no exception. Olives are one of the main symbols and products grown in this country.
If you want to bring back a souvenir from Istanbul that is a sign of this land’s heritage and history, Olive oil is your answer. Olive oil is one of the essential ingredients used in Turkish cuisine, and it is an excellent souvenir from Turkey and Istanbul that reminds you of the taste of Turkish food.
Turkish spices
If you are a fan of Turkish cuisine and want to bring back a part of it, you should go for the spices. Spices are the central part of the taste in every food, especially in Turkish cuisine.
The shopkeepers in spice shops are very helpful and friendly. You can ask them about every spice and how to use it in cooking; they will answer all your questions and help you. Spices are a very popular souvenir from Istanbul, and there’s a whole shopping center in this city named Spice Bazaar that sells spices.
Sumac
Another souvenir you can purchase from Istanbul is Sumac or Sumach. Sumac is a flowering plant used as a spice, in medical procedures, or as a dye. Turkish cuisine uses it as a garnish, not directly in cooking. Sumac adds a sour and lemony taste to food.
You can buy sumac from Istanbul and bring it back as a souvenir to remember your good memories of this magical city or share Turkish cuisine with your loved ones.
Istanbul’s handicraft souvenirs
- Turkish rugs and carpets – kilim
- Hammam soaps
- Turkish Accessories
- Turkish ceramics
- Turkish towel
- Turkish mosaic lanterns and lamps
- Traditional handmade Turkish shoes
- Backgammon and chess set
- Evil eye amulet
Turkish rugs and carpets – Kilim
One of the most bought souvenirs from Istanbul is Kilim or Turkish rugs. This product is a worldwide famous product and one of the primary symbols of Turkish culture. Turkish rugs are called Kilim in Turkish, and you can find them in most countries, but to p, purchase them from its mainland, Istanbul is much more valuable.
Turkish rugs are less expensive and more diverse in shape and color. Although bringing back rugs is more complicated than bringing back small products, the sellers will help with shipping to your country.
Hamam Soaps – olive oil soap
Hamam means bath in Turkish and plays a vital role in Turkish culture. Traditional Turkish soaps are made of olive oil. This soap has been used in Turkish baths for over 600 years. Nowadays, this soap, which is made from organic ingredients, has become very popular worldwide.
Olive oil soap is a popular souvenir from Istanbul because of its many benefits for hair and skin. Turkish Hamam soaps are eco-friendly and very popular among people looking for products with fewer chemical ingredients and less harm to the earth.
Turkish accessories
Another valuable souvenir you can purchase from Istanbul is Turkish accessories. These accessories represent the culture and glamour of this country. Their special design and structure give them a unique character that some consider art.
Turkish accessories are mostly made of precious stones and metals, such as gold and silver. They are not just feminine; some are masculine or even unisex.
Turkish ceramics
You have seen the gorgeous patterns on the ceramic walls of historical places in Istanbul, such as mosques and castles. If you want to bring back a piece of that beauty, you should choose decorative objects like bowls and plates decorated with turquoise and tulip patterns.
You can bring a piece of Istanbul’s heritage with you to never forget the beauty of Istanbul, this charming city, and your good memories. Turkish ceramics with national cultural patterns are the perfect souvenir to bring back from Istanbul.
Turkish towel
Hamam, or bath, is an integral part of Turkish culture. Turkish culture has several products for use during or after the bath, all of which are organic and eco-friendly. One of these products is a handmade Turkish towel, a perfect souvenir from Istanbul.
Turkish towels are much lighter than usual and easier to carry, especially on the beach or on voyages. They have a chick texture and come in various colors that you will fall in love with the minute you see them.
Turkish mosaic lanterns and lamps
Turkish lanterns are made of mosaic and glass and were used as interior decoration in Ottoman emperors’ rooms. Nowadays, these charming lanterns are accessible to everyone. Turkish lanterns are the perfect gift and souvenir you can buy from Istanbul.
Turkish lanterns have unique designs, and there is only one in the world. You won’t find any two lookalike lanterns, and this uniqueness is the reason that these products are popular as souvenirs among tourists in Istanbul city. When lit in a dark room, these lanterns will create shapes on the wall with their colorful shades.
Traditional handmade Turkish shoes
Turkish handmade shoes are the perfect souvenir to bring back from Istanbul. Traditional Turkish shoes have fairytale-like shapes that remind you of princess stories. Turkish handmade, vivid-coloured shoes are an excellent gift for your loved ones.
Turkish handmade shoes are comfortable and perfect for home or on beaches. Despite their comfort and beauty, they are available at convenient prices.
Backgammon and chess set
Backgammon and chess have been popular among Middle Eastern people since the 16th century. You can bring back a backgammon and chess set as a souvenir from Istanbul, a piece of art, and an exciting game in one package. Backgammon and chess sets are made of wood (mostly walnut) and carved to create unique shapes.
Evil eye amulet
Blue evil eye, or “Nazar” in Turkish, is an amulet with a long history in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. Narratives believe that Nazar, a stone in the shape of a blue eye, can put a spell on bad energies from jealous people.
Locals believe this stone can provide spiritual protection for the person carrying it. An evil eye amulet is the perfect gift or souvenir from Istanbul. You can find a cheap sample of the stone or even a plastic-made one. You can also buy this stone made of gold and other precious materials as a piece of jewelry.
Where to go for shopping souvenirs in Istanbul?
Istanbul is the perfect place to shop for both traditional and modern products. You can see all kinds of Turkish souvenirs in traditional shopping centers and malls, from cheap to expensive. But there are two main places where you can seek souvenirs in Istanbul city:
- Spice bazaar: The spice bazaar of Istanbul city, as you may already realize from the name, is the heaven of food lovers. You won’t see anything but spices and herbs in this shopping center. We recommended some spices and herbs as Istanbul’s edible souvenirs that you can find in this traditional shopping center.
- Istanbul Grand Bazaar: Istanbul Grand Bazaar is a conventional shopping center and one of the largest covered shopping centers in the world. You can find almost everything in this shopping center, including various souvenirs. Make sure you explore distinct zones of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar for souvenirs. Don’t buy the first thing that catches your attention. Make sure you ask and find the product with the best deal.
Shopping in Istanbul and bargaining
Bargaining is a common tradition when shopping in Turkey and Istanbul; bear that in mind when buying souvenirs in Istanbul. The first price that the shop owner offers you is more than the price value of that product. You can offer half the sales associate’s price and bargain to reduce costs. If the sales assistant gives you a price of 25 or 20 percent less than the first, that’s a good deal, and you can take it.
Final words about Istanbul’s souvenirs
Most people search for attractions in their destination when they plan a trip to a city or country, but they forget about souvenirs when collecting information. This article discussed Istanbul’s souvenirs, where to buy them, and how to get the best deal.
