The Rise of Istanbul’s Department Stores (and Where to Find Them)

Known for being Turkey’s first luxury brand, Vakko has grown into many branches from designer collections to wedding dresses to chocolate (and more). Their Zorlu Center branch offers their own men’s and women’s collections (including shoes and accessories) and upstairs you’ll find the Vakko Wedding House, where some of the most coveted dresses sparkle for future brides to be.

The upscale British department store Harvey Nichols opened its Turkish branch in the very modern Kanyon shopping center in Istanbul’s business district. Included are luxury designer collections (including men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories), cosmetics, and home accessories. You can also check out the department store’s upscale Italian restaurant Gina, if all that shopping has enlivened your appetite.

There’s always a nautical theme when it comes to Mudo’s clothing (men, women and children), furniture, and home accessories. With a lot of different branches all over Istanbul, you’ll have to visit at Mudo City to get everything under one roof. We usually pop by Mudo City in the İstinye Park shopping mall. Look out for linen button down shirts, loose summer dresses, and wooden cutting boards in the shape of a fish (just to name a few).

Bağdat Caddesi is the Asian side’s main shopping destination with every local and international brand imaginable lining the long street. It is here that you’ll find the Boyner department store with more than eight floors — featuring cosmetics, men’s women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, sports clothing and equipment, home accessories, and small appliances all at affordable prices.