Shopping in Turkey is excellent and great fun, with open-air markets, covered Turkish Bazaars and elegant boutiques to be found in most resorts and towns.

When it comes to shopping in Turkey there is one thing it is famous for, carpets, and they are all around from the moment you arrive. Carpets originate from the Turkish nomadic households more than a thousand years ago and beautiful homemade carpets are sold almost anywhere. A reasonably new seccade, or prayer rug, in a customary style can be bought for anything from £50 to £200, depending on its quality and condition.

Since the 16th Century Turkey has also been famous for its Ceramics or Faience (coloured tile-work). Back then the kilns would turn out some of the most beautiful ceramic work ever produced and today the classic Iznik pieces are classified as antiques and as such can not be exported from Turkey. However, the master potters of Kütahya are still making and selling traditional plates, bowls, cups and tiles using age old methods.

If you are looking for jewellery then Turkey is a great place to shop for this, especially in the big cities. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice market are great places to find big, bold, old necklaces, brooches, clasps, belts as well as fine jewellery. There is however a good selection to be found in the shops and bazaar’s of the towns throughout Turkey.

Some of the other items that can be found in many of Turkey’s shops are Kilims which is a woven mat similar to a carpet but without the nap. The bold designs and earthy colours of the Kilims are a Turkish characteristic. Leather, especially in Istanbul, is widely available with articles such as suede coats, jackets, skirts, hats, gloves, handbags and wallets.