Turkey is a state with a rich culture and traditions, a piece of which can be taken away by every traveler who visits this warm corner of the planet, and we prepared the list of 18 things to bring from Istanbul. Today, the country occupies a leading position in the global tourism market and is ready to offer its guests a vacation at the highest level. Such a vacation will forever remain in your heart, and souvenir shops will contribute to this, offering a choice of a lot of original souvenirs. And so that you are not tormented by the question of what to bring from Turkey, we have prepared a special selection of the most popular products, many of which are sure to please not only you, but also your loved ones.

Want to know where to buy all the things that we listed? Visit our page Shops, malls, outlets and markets of Istanbul.

Coffee Cezve (pronounced as ‘Jezve’)

If you are in doubt about what to bring from Turkey as a gift, then a Cezve – a copper pot for making coffee, can be a great souvenir. Boiled coffee is loved and revered in this country, so the choice of dishes for its preparation is huge. The main difference between the Cezve from each other lies in their size and material of manufacture. Most often in Turkey there are two types of products – aluminum and copper. The price of aluminum Cezve, depending on the size, varies between 5-15 EUR. But copper cezve are much more expensive – from 15 to 30 EUR.

Unscrupulous traders in the bazaars may try to sell you an aluminum Cezve, passing it off as a copper one. Visually distinguishing these metals is not so easy: aluminum products here are painted under a copper color. However, copper has a specific metallic smell that is not inherent in aluminum. Therefore, before shelling out a round sum for a Cezve, make sure that you are actually purchasing a copper product.

Turkish sweets

If you are puzzled over what souvenirs to bring from Turkey, then by choosing Turkish sweets, you will definitely not go wrong. Perhaps this is the most popular edible souvenir, which is annually exported by tons outside the country.

Turkish Delight

The famous Turkish delight won special love – a delicacy made on the basis of sugar syrup and supplemented with various nuts, milk or fruit fillers. It can be bought as a gift both in a box and by weight. The price of sweetness will depend on the quality of the product and its weight: here you can find small packages costing 2-3 EUR and kilogram options from 10 EUR and more.

Halva

Turkish halva, made on the basis of tahini paste, which in turn is made from sesame seeds, is also very popular. This dessert can be found both in its pure form and with the addition of vanilla, chocolate and pistachios. The price of such a gift ranges from 2-5 EUR per package of 250 g.

Baklava and Kadaif

Another no less tasty souvenir that you can bring to your loved ones is baklava, as well as kadaif – sweets made from dough, soaked in honey syrup and flavored with a sprinkle of almonds, pistachios or walnuts. The price of such delicacies will depend on the weight of the product: for example, a box of 500 g will cost an average of 7-10 EUR.

When buying sweets in Turkey as a gift, be sure to pay attention to their expiration date. In addition, such products should not be exposed to direct sunlight: this can lead to their rapid deterioration.

Spices

Red pepper flakes

The hot climate of Turkey allows it to grow numerous types of spices on its plantations. Therefore, if you are puzzled by the question of what you can bring from Turkey as a gift, then seasonings can be an excellent souvenir. Red pepper flakes have gained special love in the country, which is added to literally every dish. Numerous other spices are also presented in Turkish souvenir shops: saffron, turmeric, black pepper, curry, thyme, nutmeg, sumac, etc.

Spice sets

Seasonings can be brought home in separate packages, but as a souvenir, it is better to purchase gift sets that include the most popular spices. Often, such packages are supplemented with a bonus souvenir in the form of a magnet, bracelet or pepper mill. The price of gift sets, depending on the composition, varies between 5–15 EUR.

Honey

Turkey is one of the largest honey producers in the world. In the shops you can find flower, cotton, citrus honey, but pine honey is especially valued here, 92% of which is produced in the Aegean Sea. Such a product can become a worthy souvenir from Turkey, so don’t forget to bring it to your friends. The price for a jar of high-quality honey starts at 10 EUR.

Often in stores you can find honey with the addition of assorted nuts. This is not quite the same Turkish honey, but quite a tasty sweet, which is incredibly popular with tourists. Its price is 4-5 EUR for a 200g can.

Olives

In the photo of souvenirs from Turkey, you can often see olives, which may seem strange to some, but is understandable. Hundreds of thousands of hectares are allocated for olive plantations in the country, and annually local factories harvest more than 2 million tons of olives.

A 400g jar of olives can be purchased for 3-4 EUR. Of course, olive oil is also popular in Turkey: dozens of different producers offer their products at different prices. One of the highest quality brands is Kristal, and a liter of olive oil from this brand will cost 6-8 EUR.

Rose petal jam

Another original gift from Turkey can be rose petal jam. This flower has long been used here for the preparation of various sweets, including jam, which has not only a unique taste, but also a lot of useful properties. The price for a jar of rose petal jam is 3-4 EUR.

Cheese

Few people realize that Turkey is a real cheese paradise, where a variety of cheeses for every taste are presented. White, rustic, solid, with mold, in the form of a cube, a pigtail and a rope – such an abundance will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated gourmet.

Each type of cheese has its price. For example, a package of inexpensive hard cheese weighing 500g will cost 5 EUR.

Buy cheese only in large supermarkets, where the freshness of the product is guaranteed.

Coffee and tea

Coffee Mehmet Efendi

What can you bring home from Turkey? Of course, tea and coffee are the most popular drinks in the country, presented in a huge assortment. If you are a lover of boiled coffee, then pay attention to the Mehmet Efendi brand: after all, what locals revere the most. Mehmet Efendi coffee can be found both in small packages of 100g at a price of 1,5-2 EUR, and in large cans of 500g at a cost of 7-8 EUR.

Turkish Black Tea Çaykur

Black tea is a national drink that Turks drink throughout the day from small tulip glasses. Its leaves are collected from tea trees growing on the Black Sea coast and are usually ground, so do not try to find large-leaf Turkish tea, it simply does not exist. The most famous Turkish brand of tea – Çaykur, offers the product in packages of different weights. On average, the price for 1 kg of tea is 4–8 EUR.

The Turks themselves are not very fond of drinking green and fruit teas, but they produce a variety of mixtures for tourists and lovers of such drinks. Do not confuse natural fruit teas with chemical-laden powdered drinks that are common here.

Turkish home textile

Among our tips for tourists on what to bring from Turkey, there is one very reliable recommendation – buy Turkish textiles! The country is one of the largest cotton producers in the region, so you can buy high quality home textiles here at very competitive prices. Bed linen, bath towels, blankets, bathrobes, bedspreads, tablecloths – the list is endless.

The best brands in the textile segment are Taç, Özdilek and Altınbaşak, but less well-known manufacturers are also ready to offer you high quality goods. In addition to cotton products, you can also bring decent bamboo textiles from here. The prices vary greatly. Below we provide approximate prices for the most popular textile products:

• Bed linen – from 20 to 100 EUR
• Bath towel 70×140 cm – 5 to 20 EUR
• Plaid – 10 to 30 EUR
• Bathrobe – 20 to 70 EUR
• A set of kitchen towels – 3 to 15 EUR

Leather goods and clothing

In Turkey, the manufacture of leather products is highly developed, among which you can find jackets, raincoats, bags and belts. The price of a leather jacket starts at 100 EUR and can run into the thousands of dollars.

Among the most famous companies in Turkey are Mavi, Koton, Collins, Waikiki, De Facto. Prices for clothes in the country jump depending on the brand: for example, it is quite possible to buy a T-shirt here for 1 EUR or good jeans for 10 EUR.

In some leather shops (especially in the bazaars) Chinese consumer goods are sold under the guise of high-quality Turkish products. Therefore, be careful and carefully check the purchased goods.

Bath and hammam sets

Hamam – the famous Turkish bath, where procedures are carried out aimed at improving the body and cleansing the skin. Hamam masters use a certain set of items in their work, which can also be brought to loved ones as a souvenir. As a rule, a bath kit includes a peeling glove, a bath towel, olive or argan soap, a moisturizer and a pumice stone.

Depending on the composition of the set, the price of such a gift can range from 3–5 EUR.

Carpets

Turkey is one of the few countries where you can still buy luxurious handmade carpets. A carpet with oriental motifs can become an original and at the same time a very valuable gift. It offers both woolen products and silk models. The cost of such a souvenir will vary depending on the number of knots per 1 sq. meter: the more such knots, the higher the price of the carpet. For example, a 2×3 meter product can cost 90-100 EUR, but the price for large models reaches 1000 EUR or more.

If you want to buy a large oriental carpet as a gift, but you are puzzled by the issue of transporting such a large souvenir, then we hasten to inform you that most stores in Turkey provide delivery services for their products anywhere in the world.

Tableware

As a souvenir from Turkey, you can bring coffee and tea sets, as well as a kettle. To brew black tea in the country, a special two-tiered teapot is used: several teaspoons of tea are poured into the upper bowl and boiled water is poured into it, and the lower bowl is diverted under hot water. Next, the kettle is placed on a small fire, and the drink is brewed for 20-25 minutes.

Tea is served in miniature glasses-tulips on a saucer: in one sitting, the Turks drink 5-6 servings of tea. A set of six glasses with spoons and saucers costs 10-20 EUR. The price of a teapot will depend on its size and manufacturer: miniature models cost 15-25 EUR, while larger teapots cost 40-50 EUR.

Gift coffee set

In Turkey, there is also an opportunity to buy unusual painted coffee sets made of porcelain and copper-plated iron. As a rule, such sets include 2 cups on a saucer, 2 spoons, a small sugar bowl and a tray. The price for a porcelain set starts from 10 EUR, copper-plated sets cost between 20-25 EUR.

Natural cosmetic

If you have not yet found out what to bring from Turkey as a gift at competitive prices, then we advise you to consider cosmetics as an option. The country has a fairly developed cosmetic industry that manufactures products on a natural basis. Among the most popular brands it is worth highlighting:

Dalan d’Olive

This is one of the most famous cosmetic brands that make their products based on olive oil. Its series includes moisturizing face and body creams, shower gels, shampoos, hair conditioners, liquid and solid soaps. The products are of high quality and provide excellent moisturizing effect. At the same time, Dalan d’Olive cosmetics cannot be called too expensive. Approximate prices on Dalan d’Olive cosmetics:

• Shampoo – 6 EUR
• Hair Conditioner – 6 EUR
• Cream 250 g – 6 EUR
• Bar soap – 2 EUR
• Gift set of cosmetics – 12-17 EUR

Rosense

The brand presents a series of natural cosmetics, the main component of which is rose oil. Rosense products are designed for face and body skin care, and the brand also has a separate line for hair care. Rose water is especially valued here, which can slow down the aging process and improve the tone of aging skin. And the prices for products of this brand will only please:

• Body Cream – 4 EUR
• Washing gel – 3 EUR
• Shampoo – 4 EUR
• Tonic – 5 EUR
• Rose water – 5 EUR

Fonex

The Fonex brand primarily specializes in the manufacture of oils and creams based on them. The products include body oils (6-7 EUR), serums and moisturizing hair sprays (10-14 EUR), and 100% olive and argan oil (20 EUR). Also in the line you can find face and body creams, hair gels, shampoos, deodorants, etc. Such cosmetics can be a very useful gift from Turkey.

We advise you to buy cosmetic products not in bazaars, but in pharmacies or specialized stores.

Turkish soap

Another popular product that tourists often buy as a gift is natural soap. Turkey has a huge selection of soaps of various colors and scents, factory and handmade, for hands, face and hair. The most popular are:

• olive oil soap with excellent moisturizing effect
• rose and pomegranate soap used to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin
• snail soap for problematic and oily skin
• pistachio soap for hair and body to help eliminate dandruff and cleanse pores of impurities

The price of soap, depending on the brand and weight, can vary between 1-4 EUR.

Jewelry and bijouterie

Turkey has a great variety of jewelry stores, ranging from small shops to huge premium centers. Although Turkish gold with a characteristic yellow tint is not the highest quality in the world, it is readily bought as a souvenir for loved ones.

Specialized jewelry stores offer a variety of products, and the prices are different. In the bazaar you can find a lower price tag, but the quality of jewelry is not guaranteed here.

The most popular jewelry brands in Turkey have a huge range of accessories made of gold and silver, decorated with various stones, including diamonds. Among the established brands it is worth highlighting:

• Altinbas
• Assos
• Atasay
• Cetash
• Ekol
• Favori

In Turkey, you can also buy interesting and inexpensive jewelry in both oriental style and modern design.

We advise you to purchase precious jewelry only from trusted sellers. Do not agree to go to a jewelry or souvenir shop with a guide: in such shops, prices are 2-3 times higher, since a percentage is deducted from each sale to your travel agency.

Souvenirs

In Turkey, you can also buy original gifts with a national touch. Such, for example, is nazar bonjuk – a talisman from the evil eye, which is usually hung at the entrance. Nazar bonjuk is presented in various shapes and sizes: you can choose between miniature pendants for 1-2 EUR and large models decorated with additional accessories for 20-30 EUR.

Another unusual gift can be a lamp made of colored mosaic glass. Such lamps can take the form of a table, ceiling or wall lamp, each of which gives its own unique glow of various shades. This product, depending on the size, can cost from 5 to 50 EUR.

And, of course, you always have the opportunity to buy standard souvenirs as a gift in the form of magnets (~1 EUR), key rings (1-3 EUR), plates with sights (5-10 EUR), cups with the Turkish flag (5 EUR), etc.

General Tips

Going on vacation, we advise you to ask in advance how much souvenirs cost in Turkey. Before you make a purchase, go to several stores, compare prices.

We do not recommend going for souvenirs with local guides, because with them you will always overpay.

Go to the souvenir shop in the hotel: many tourists have the opinion that the shops on the territory of the hotel are expensive, but often the prices are not higher than in the bazaar, and the quality of goods is better.

For clothes, you should go to the mall, and not to the bazaar. Do not buy goods in stores located near attractions, as the price tag is always high there.

Output

Today, Turkey offers its guests a lot of original and high-quality souvenirs, most of which are produced on its territory. The range of gifts is so great that many are simply lost in choosing a worthy present that’s why our list of 18 things to bring from Istanbul is very basic. We hope that our article will help you decide what to bring from Turkey, and your family and friends will be satisfied.