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Istanbul’s Galata Neighborhood is home to more than just the historic Galata Tower. It has some of the best shopping for conscious travelers who are looking for the perfect keepsake that isn’t a mass-produced plastic version of the tower, this is the place to look.
Down the narrow and winding streets that all seem to lead to the Galata tower, you’ll find all types of little boutiques and artisan studios. From stores that merge conscious style with fashion-forward design, to artisans making ceramics so beautiful you’ll want to ship the entire store home, Galata has it all.
If you’re looking for the thrill of finding a great vintage piece check out this article on The Best Vintage Stores in Istanbul’s Galata Neighborhood.
A Hidden Bee is a mindful fashion brand that is based and produced in Istanbul. They make a contemporary fashion in small batches. As much as possible they use local fabrics to reduce their footprint.
Their first store is located in Galata, just a stones throw from the Galata Tower it’s on one of the main drags that connect Galata to three other neighborhoods, Cihangir, Karaköy, and Taksim. You’ll also find some of Galata’s best thrift shops on this street, so it’s a perfect area to spend meandering in and out of all the little boutiques.
Just around the corner from a Hidden Bee you’ll find the perfect store for getting a keepsake that you’ll still love upon returning home: Hands of Istanbul. This little gem of a place is a showroom for Istanbul-based artisans.
As the name would suggest everything in the store is handmade. They have everything from Jewelry and ceramics to little knit kids’ toys and macramèd objects. Even if you don’t have room left in your luggage, it’s a great store to pop in and look around— there are always the most creative and fun things to look at.
Right across the street, there’s a tiny contemporary ceramic & design space that you won’t miss. They’ve painted the outside of the building with black and white stripes, and with the gorgeous ceramic pieces in the window, overlooking this little corn shop is nearly impossible.
Be warned more often than not this place isn’t open— but if you see something in the window you like you can message them on Instagram, and they’ll meet you at the shop. If you’re lucky you’ll catch the artisan while is in the shop creating.
On a road that will make you think you wandering off the beaten path, when in reality you’re just around the bend from the Galata tower, you’ll find a design store that will make you wish you brought a bigger suitcase. Inspired by Africa, the things you’ll find in the store are different from the usual design objects in Istanbul.
The store has all sorts of things, from cutting boards to clothing. Plus right down the street is one of the cutest book stores in Istanbul— so you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone.
If you’re after the finer things in life, Atelier Der Liebling is a must-see while you’re in Istanbul. The artisan jewelry has been featured in the likes of Vogue, The Shopkeepers, and even Louis Vuitton’s Istanbul Travel Guide.
Crafting mostly using gold and precious gems, you can expect that the prices follow suit— but if you’re in the mood to celebrate yourself, this is definitely the place to do it. The designs are dainty and the perfect balance between minimal and intricate. Make sure to make an appointment in advance if you’re looking to do more than window shop.
Turkish rugs are some of the best in the world— and luckily for us from Feyz they can be shipped anywhere in the world, so you don’t need to worry about figuring out how to fly with a huge rug. The thing that sets this place apart from the rest of the rug makers in Istanbul, is their way of merging contemporary design with traditional craft.
Each of their rugs is made using their proprietary weaving techniques to make intricate patterns that are design-forward. Plus the quality of their rugs and the threads used is outstanding— you expect a handcrafted rug from Feyz to last a lifetime.
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