8 Best Shopping Malls in Istanbul

Shopping mall is "alisveris merkezi" in Turkish. There are so many shopping malls in Turkey and more are added continuously. So, it's better to sort out some of them. That's my personal list. I considered the accessibility, the number of shops and restaurants, and the amount of quality time that can be spent. (Almost all shopping malls have cinema halls, so I won't tell about them individually.)

1. Istinye Park

Istinye Park is one of the best designed shopping mall in Turkey. It has a large variety of shops from less luxurious to more luxurious. The characteristic of the mall is the market place on the ground floor. You can find high quality coffees, olive oils, dried fruits and nuts, jams, pastry and many more. Take the metro to the ITU station, then walk about five minutes, there you are.

2. Kanyon

Kanyon is both an indoor and outdoor mall. You can walk along the open "streets" and enjoy the fresh air in contrast to other shopping malls. It has a small concert area at the ground floor. This one may be a little bit pricey, so if you don't have the budget you can prefer its neighbour, Metro City. Both are at 1. Levent. Get off the metro at Levent Station. You'll see them ahead at a few minute distance.

3. City's Nisantasi

City's Nisantasi is one of the smallest malls in Istanbul. But its location and tranquil atmosphere makes it a nice alternative. There is "Mahalle" (Neighbourhood) at the top floor. There are restorants at Mahalle and the setting is quite cosy. If you are staying at Harbiye and Taksim, it is just a walk away.

4. Trump Towers

Yes, the name comes from Donald Trump. This is a very central and decent mall, too. At noon, it's packed with white-collar employees. (Mecidiyekoy comprises many many offices.) It has some kind of water decoration at the enterance and some quality restaurants. You can reach there by the metro and the metrobus, then you'll go on foot. Directions are written everywhere, so it won't be hard for you to find it.

5. Zorlu Center

Zorlu Center is fairly a new mall. It has both less luxurious and more luxurious part. It has a hall that host classical and quality concerts. You can reach there by the metro (Gayrettepe station) or the metrobus (Zincirlikuyu station). In any case you will walk for a while to reach the enterance.

6. Istanbul Cevahir AVM

Istanbul Cevahir is one of the biggest malls of Istanbul. It is located in Mecidiyekoy and is even more central than the Trump Towers. It is usually overcrowded and very loud. So, in my opinion, do your shopping and run to the top floor which is less loud and comprises nice restaurants and cafés.


And the last two mall are from the Anatolian coast.

7. Akasya

Akasya is the luxurious shopping mall (probably an equivalent to Zorlu Center). Kartal-Kadikoy metro has Acibadem station which takes you there. If you are staying near that metro, it's a viable alternative for shopping.

8. Kozzy

Kozzy won an award for the best European mall in 2011. It is rather small, but the use of space is very professional. If you are staying near Kozyatagi or Erenkoy, you can walk here. There are theatre halls on the top floor. All the plays are in Turkish, but if you like, you can but tickets to watch them.