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Monday, July 9, 2012

Shopping In Istanbul: Istanbul's Shopping Mall Belt

Many tourists think and directed to old city and its historic bazaars like Grand Bazaar for shopping in Istanbul. These places are great (mostly in price sometimes in quality) to buy some classic souvenirs to bring from Turkey but Istanbul offers much more to international visitors in terms of modern shopping. If you are looking for modern shopping experience, branded international and Turkish products and air conditioned shopping malls, you need to head to what I call Istanbul's shopping mall belt, a chain of modern shopping malls located on the Istanbul Metro Line from Sisli - Mecidiyekoy to ITU Ayazaga.

City's Nisantasi, Istanbul
Nisantasi, Turkey's most expensive shopping street in terms of lease prices, itself can be thought as a large open air shopping mall with the stores of world famous brands,  popular cafés, pubs, restaurants and night clubs. Walking distance away from Osmanbey Station of Istanbul Metro, City's Nisantasi offers brands like Versace Jeans, Jean’s Paul Gauitier, Class Roberto Cavalli, Trussardi, Baldinini, Cerutti, Pal Zileri, Pura Lopez, Point Zero and Cache Cache.

City's Nisantasi, Istanbul - Source : www.visit2istanbul.com
Istanbul Cevahir Shopping Mall

Completed in 2005, this is the largest shopping mall in Europe and the 6th largest shopping mall in the world. Mostly famous with Middle Eastern tourists (the shopping mall is quite heavily marketed there and it has already built a strong word of mouth reputation), it offers many attractions and shopping opportunities to all international tourists. The mall has its own Tax Free Services where you can claim your VAT refund immediately after shopping.

You can reach Cevahir Shopping Mall very easily  from the Şişli Station of the Istanbul Metro (there is a direct link from the station to the mall) and find many brands like Adidas, Bata, Benetton, BSB, Converse, Debenhams, Divarese, Dockers, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Evans, Fornarina, Gloria Jean's, Guess World, Jack&Jones, Kappa, La Senza, Levi's, Lotto, Massimo Dutti, Miss Selfridge, Mothercare, Nine West, Peacocks, Reebok, River Island, Topshop, Top Man, Vero Moda, and Zara. Other than food outlets like Burger King, Mc Donalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and many local chains, the mall has a large stage for shows and other events, 12 cinemas, a private theatre, a cinema for children, a bowling hall; a small roller coaster; and a small amusement park with several other entertainment facilities.

Cevahir Shopping Mall, Istanbul, Turkey
Cevahir Shopping Mall, Istanbul, Turkey
Kanyon Shopping Mall
Kanyon (meaning canyon in Turkish) is a unique multi-purpose complex in Istanbul's upscale neighborhood and business district Levent which is constructed as a dramatic architectural “canyon”. In summer, the shopping mall is open air and you can find many shops offering

Kanyon Shopping Mall is more upscale compared to more famous Cevahir Shopping Mall and can easily be reached from Levent Station of the Istanbul Metro (there is a direct link from the station to the mall). Mothercare, Natalys, TeknoSa, Sony, Apple, Mandarina Duck, Accesorize, Paşabahçe, Harvey Nichols, Vakko, Bally, Network, Tiffany&Co, Georg Jensen, Machka, Max Mara are some of the 160 stores you can find in this shopping mall. There is also a cinema and several dining options popular with both locals and foreigners. The mall is infact a multi-purpose complex and has a 30-floor office tower and a 22-floor residential block with 179 residential apartments.

Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul Turkey
Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul Turkey
Istinye Park
The north-most of the shopping mall of the Istanbul's shopping belt is another upscale shopping center (more upscale than Kanyon) called Istinye Park.  The center is unique with its enclosed and open air sections where the open air section offers street side shopping. The park offers a cinema with IMAX 3D screen, Hillside Sports and Leisure Club and Funtime, the kids’ entertainment center is around 1,500 sqm as well as many famous international and Turkish brands like Armani, Benetton, Beymen, Boyner, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Enzo Angiolini, Ermenegildo Zegna, GAP, Louis Vuitton, Levi's, Lee Cooper, LC Waikiki, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Pierre Cardin and Ralph Lauren.

Istinye Park is not near any Istanbul Metro station but can easily be reached from ITU Ayazaga Metro Station by Taxi and public bus. They also provide shuttle services from ITU Ayazaga and Otosanayi stations between 12.00 – 14.00 daily.

Istinye Park Shopping Mall outside section - Source : wittistanbul.com

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