Istanbul’s malls pave the way to becoming a shopping capital

When the weather turns freezing cold and the streets are drenched in rain, even the best cities start to appear suffocating. Even though you may dream of walking down your favorite streets, or trekking or cycling in parks, any activity becomes a challenge when all you want to do is stay at home under a blanket with some coffee or sahlep. Even though I love the city in every season, Istanbul is one of those cities where people mainly stay at home when the rain starts falling onto its seven hills, and the cold arrives. Of course, there are some indoor activities that people enjoy, but you should know that many of those activities – games, cinemas, shopping and even an aquarium – are all at the same place: shopping malls. The hundreds of shopping malls in Turkey are among top destinations for many of the tourists arriving in the country and wanting to do some shopping and buy gifts for their loved ones. Shopping malls housing famous brands and offering economic prices in Istanbul's commercial centers, as well as on the outskirts, paved way to turn the mega city into a shopping capital. Unlike other countries that build shopping malls outside the city, Istanbul shows how shopping malls have been integrated into people's social lives. The term "shopping mall" is a new term in Turkey, as contemporary shopping malls only date back to the late 1980s. Yet, despite its recent history, Turks visit shopping malls not only for shopping, but also for other purposes such as hanging out with friends and entertainment like watching movies or bowling.

The reason why Turks embrace these shopping centers is because of their diverse facilities that bring a wide-range of brands together, as well as their opening and closing hours, which are different from other countries. Istanbul's malls open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. If you are a tourist in Turkey and your time is limited, shopping malls may be a quick alternative for you. Clothing and food are affordable on any budget in Turkey, so you can lose yourself while exploring a mall. But I should warn you that Istanbul is such a magnificent city, that these buildings with hundreds of shops may also prevent you from enjoying the spirit and atmosphere of the city. So, if you have some extra time or want to do some serious shopping, you may want stop by one of the following shopping centers:

İstinye Park in the lavish district of Sarıyer

With both indoor and outdoor spaces, İstinye Park offers visitors an atmosphere that is refreshing and comfortable. The mall was opened in 2007, and it is one of the most lavish shopping malls on the European side with more than 300 stores spread out over 270,000 square meters and a 3,600-capacity car park. İstinye Park contains a "Streets of Brands" that allows you to experience outdoor shopping as if you were strolling through the stores on Fifth Avenue in New York. Burberry, Dior, Fendi, Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Etro, Rolex & Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Gucci and many other famous brands are located on the street, which generates the street's atmosphere. İstinye Park can also be defined as a meeting point of famous Turkish figures.

Address: İstinye Bayırı Cad. No: 73 Sarıyer / Istanbul

Viaport near Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Istanbul's Asian side

Serving as an open-air concept shopping mall, Viaport has streets, squares, green areas and a large pond where you can see ducks swimming. Located on the Asian side close to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Viaport is the largest outlet in Turkey with 189 stores and a car park with a total capacity of 4,500 vehicles. What makes Viaport so attractive for shopaholics is its economic prices for renowned brands. In fact, some tourists take a plane that lands at Sabiha Gökçen Airport for a day-trip to Viaport. The corridors of this mall are designed like a Mediterranean town with olive trees and seasonal flowers along the way. There is also a Covered Turkish Bazaar (Bedesten), which is a miniature version of Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar. Additionally, the mall was chosen as the "Best Outlet Shopping Mall of the Year" in 2009 by AMPD.

Address: Yenişehir Mah., Dedepaşa Cad. No: 19 Via Port – Pendik / Istanbul

Akmerkez in elite the neighborhood of Etiler

Akmerkez is the top award-winning shopping center in Istanbul, which also happens to be the oldest. Established in 1994, the mall has remained one of the most preferred malls by Istanbul's elite. It is located in one of Istanbul's most elite neighborhoods, Etiler, and it is also close to the business districts in Maslak and Levent. This four-story mall has almost 250 stores that cover an area of 180,000 square meters. However, Akmerkez's awards truly distinguish it from Istanbul's other shopping centers. It was chosen as "the best shopping center in Europe" in 1995 by ICSC, and chosen as "the best shopping center in the world" in 1996; the mall has also received an International Design and Development Award, which is the only shopping mall that has received both of these titles.

Address: Ulus Caddesi No: 3 Etiler / Istanbul

Cevahir in Şişli on Istanbul's European side

With the motto of "Cevahir is Istanbul, Istanbul is Cevahir," the Cevahir shopping mall is the largest shopping and entertainment hub in Istanbul's city center. It is located on one of the busiest routes just off the highway where the European side connects to the Asian side. When you visit Cevahir, you will see many tourists, mostly from Arab countries. Considered one of Istanbul's symbolic venues, Cevahir is a shopping and leisure destination for tourists as well as locals, that houses movie theaters and more than 200 stores spread across six floors, and consists of a diverse range of shopping categories and brands. Its wide variety of restaurants and cafés offer world cuisines and are another reason Cevahir is a popular choice for all.

Address: Büyükdere Cad. No: 22 Şişli / Istanbul