Before leaving Istanbul, here are some of the best things to buy at the airport and the shops where you can find them.

Turkish Delight (Lokum)

Turkish delight is one of the most famous sweets in Turkey and one of the easiest souvenirs to take home.

Best shops at Istanbul Airport

• Hafız Mustafa 1864
• Koska

Both stores sell beautifully packaged boxes in flavours such as pistachio, rose, pomegranate, and hazelnut. The airport packaging is designed for travel, making it easy to carry home.

Tip: mixed boxes are a good option if you want to try several flavours.

Baklava

Baklava is another classic Turkish dessert and a great edible gift.

Best shop at Istanbul Airport

• Hafız Mustafa 1864

You will find travel friendly boxes of pistachio baklava, walnut baklava, and other traditional varieties that are sealed for long flights.

Turkish Coffee

Turkey has a long coffee tradition, and Turkish coffee makes a distinctive souvenir.

Best shop at Istanbul Airport

• Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi

This historic coffee brand has been producing traditional Turkish coffee since the nineteenth century. Many airport shops also sell copper coffee pots (cezve) and decorative coffee cups.

Turkish Tea and Tea Sets

Tea is part of everyday life in Turkey and makes a practical souvenir.

Best places to look

• Çaykur
• Old Bazaar shops

Look for Rize black tea or fruit teas such as apple and pomegranate. Some stores also sell traditional tulip shaped tea glasses and full tea sets.

Evil Eye Charms (Nazar Boncuğu)

The blue evil eye charm is one of Turkey’s most recognizable symbols and is believed to protect against bad luck.

Best place to buy

• Old Bazaar

You will find many versions including:

• keychains
• magnets
• jewellery
• wall decorations

They are small, inexpensive, and easy to pack.

Turkish Ceramics

Turkey is famous for colourful ceramics inspired by Ottoman designs.

Best place to buy

• Old Bazaar

You can find decorative plates, bowls, and small dishes featuring traditional blue, red, and turquoise patterns.

Turkish Towels (Peshtemal)

Turkish cotton towels are known for being soft, lightweight, and highly absorbent.

Best places to look

• Paşabahçe
• Old Bazaar

These towels are practical souvenirs that pack easily in luggage.

Turkish Perfume and Cologne

Traditional Turkish cologne, known as kolonya, is another interesting souvenir.

Best places to buy

• Unifree Duty Free
• Old Bazaar

Popular scents include:

• lemon
• rose
• lavender

Kolonya is traditionally used to refresh hands and guests, and decorative bottles make attractive gifts.

Final Tip

The shopping area at Istanbul Airport is extremely large, so allow extra time before boarding your flight. Many travellers end up browsing far longer than expected.

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!

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