The best souvenir of a trip is often a small piece made by an artisan's hands. The items below are easy to carry on your travels and are each region's own specialities.
- Tiles and ceramics: İznik-pattern plates and bowls in Istanbul, pottery in Avanos. Hand-painted pieces are signed underneath; ask the shop for sturdy packaging so they don't break.
- Turkish delight and rock sugar: Sold by weight at the historic confectioners in Eminönü. Ask for vacuum-packed or boxed packaging for the flight.
- Turkish coffee: Freshly ground coffee and a small copper cezve together make a good gift.
- Peshtemal: A fine woven cotton cloth used instead of a towel at the hammam, on the beach and at home; it takes up no room in your suitcase.
- Spices and dried fruit: At the Spice Bazaar; dried figs, apricots and pistachios are the most popular.
- Telkari: The fine silver filigree work of Mardin and Midyat.
When shopping
- Haggling is common at the bazaars; it isn't done in shops with marked prices. Our guide: Tipping, haggling and money.
- For purchases above a certain amount, ask shops displaying the “tax free” sign for a VAT refund form.
- It is illegal to take antiques and items classed as cultural artefacts out of the country; don't buy “antiques” that come without documentation.