The Rise of Istanbul’s Department Stores (and Where to Find Them)
Department stores are quite the recent occurrence in Istanbul with shopping malls having sprouted all over Turkey a mere 16 years ago. A mixture of local brands and popular names from abroad, Istanbul’s department stores feature everything from clothing to shoes to home accessories (from the affordable to the incredibly expensive). Take a look at our list of the best to visit the one that’s just right for you.
Beymen
Luxury is the name of the game at Beymen, one of Istanbul’s most popular department stores for the well-heeled. At Beymen you’ll find the latest collections from international designers, pieces from the Beymen label (which come at modest prices), shoes, bags, books, home, and gift items. The largest of the Beymen branches is located in Zorlu Center (an impressive 10,000 square meters).
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Vakko
Shop, Store
Vakko ZORLU CENTER, İstanbul | Courtesy of Vakko
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.
