Istanbul Turkish Shopping Experience

Posted By : JamesW12
Great tour guide, very knowledgeable. Very little shopping was done though. Spent a lot of time giving us the history of the area with some walking through the grand bazaar and spice market to get to the carpet shop where the expensive items to try and sell us where located.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-05-07 00:52:11

Posted By : Travelholic72
We booked a four hour accompanied private shopping trip with City of Sultans and it was wonderful. It was one of the highlights of our holiday and was reasonably priced. Our guide Burish was very helpful and nothing was too much trouble. We were picked up by taxi at our hotel and firstly went to the Spice Market. Our guide helped with price conversion and negotiated with shop owners if needed. We then went on to the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the cisterns. The trip included far more than we had expected and we were taken by taxi to all the places of interest and then picked up nearby. We really enjoyed this tour and we would definitely recommend this excellent firm.
Rating :
Posted On : 2018-11-12 15:01:08

Posted By : Evangeline G

Be aware that this tour takes you to several 'tourist traps'. These are shops without marked prices, that are filled with other tourists or shops that are run by 'friends' of the guide or shops that likely have 'arrangements' with the tour company. It was mildly interesting to see carpet weaving and pottery being made but after that you will then be encouraged to buy. Leave your credit card behind if you are on a budget! We spent so much time at the tourist traps that we did not have time to go to the spice market. My tour guide was also not very helpful in assisting me bargain the price down...I wonder why that was!?

DO NOT buy from the Turkish Delight/Spice shop called 'SAYGI'. Prices here are at least four times higher then they should be. I got stung here and should have walked away when the bill came to over 1,200 Turkish Lira. When I realised how expensive it was it ruined the rest of my holiday. The salesmen are very slick and will have you trying samples from the whole store. Make sure you ask the price first before buying anything.

Recommend you buy from the airport where products are hygienically sealed. Boxes of Turkish Delight start from 15 at Istanbul airport.

Note the Grand Bazaar does not have the cheapest shops. If you are on a budget - ask the tour guide to only take you to places that have prices marked and where the locals shop. Do some research before so you have an idea of prices. During my travels I found - ceramic, coasters and small ceramic bowls from 3TL, scarves from 10-50TL, T-shirts from 40TL.

Good points about this tour is that I had an English speaking guide, a driver and luxury minivan all to myself and was able to choose my pickup time. We did a little bit of walking but that was a highlight too as you got to see a few more landmarks along the way.

Posted By : Julian L
Took this private tour with my mother; Unal was the perfect guide. He was patient and accommodating to our different interests and offered a lot of insight into life in Turkey beyond the shopping. He took us to a number of stores, and also into the Grand Bazaar; he had good relationships with the vendors but we were pleased there was low pressure to buy. We felt a lot more confident in dealing with negotiations and understanding quality with him there.
Rating :
Posted On : 2018-08-01 09:29:21

Posted By : Donna M

Eren Bolek was fantastic! I reserved this trip, which was great, but when I chose to forgo some of the shopping and see the sites he took me all through the city. I only had one day, but he was sure I made the most of it. I highly recommend asking for Eren Bolek with this tour - a certified tour guide by Turkey who will make sure you see the most and that everyone you meet treats you with a smile. Thank you Eren!