Welcome to Armada Hotel

Shopping Recommendations

• Souvenir
  Grand Bazaar
  
• Rare books, stamp
  Sahaflar (Beyazit, Beyoğlu). Located behind the Beyazit Mosque, between Beyazit Square and the Grand Bazaar, the Sahaflar Çarsısı has been for the past 100 years or so the place in which to buy books in a whole host of languages, either printed or handwritten and illuminated.
  
• Antique, Art
  Çukurcuma shops (Cihangir, Taksim); Bedesten (Grand Bazaar); Sofa Cağaloğlu, (Eminönü- www.sofa.com.tr ); Raffi Portakal, Nişantaşı; Asmalımescit Street shops, Beyoğlu
  
• Tile
  "Çinili Türk" furniture- Anı Design- Fuat Paşa St.. Kale apt. Tel: +90 216 449 12 31/32 Fax: +90 216 449 12 33 e-mail: ani@anitasarim.com Fenerbahçe Online shopping: http://www.anitasarim.com
  
  İznik Ceramic and Tile Foundation
  Kurucesme,Öksüz Çocuk Sk. No:14 Beşiktaş 80220 Tel: 0212 287 32 43
  
• Art (Painting, Prints)
  Galeri Nev, Nişantaşı,
  
• Online art auction
  www.lebriz.com
  
• Leather fashion
  Derishow (Nişantaşı), Teodem (Zeytinburnu), Derimod Depo; Büyükdere St. No:29 (There will be a special shop here open all whole week from 10:00 - 22:00 hrs. with reasonable prices. From leather shoes to dresses…)
  
• Fashion
  Men&Women: Vakko, Beymen, Mudo, Akmerkez , Women: Gönül Paksoy, Artisan, Beyaz Butik (Dice Kayek)
  
• Jewellery
  Urart – Branches at Nişantaşı, 0212-246 7194, Swissotel (259 0221), Vakko (Beyoğlu)
  And traditional jewellery shops in Grand Bazaar.
  
• Glass & Cryistal
  Paşabahçe- Beyoglu
  
• Carpets & Rugs
  Buying a carpet is very similar to buying a piece of art. If it "speaks to you," buy it. If you don't have any idea but think you would like to buy a carpet or kilim, please consult your guide.
  
• Seasonings, teas
  Egyptian Bazaar
  
• Turkish Coffee
  Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, Eminönü
  
• Turkish Delight
  Hacı Bekir Since 1777! - To read the whole story, see: http://www.hacibekir.com.tr/ . Haci Bekir served the Sultan's palace in 1777. When a British gentleman first tasted Turkish Delight he took a package to England, where its popularity quickly spread…

Things to be noticed…

• Currency - In Turkey the currency is the New Turkish Lira (Yeni Türk Lirasi) abbreviated as YTL. The New Turkish Lira is divided into 100 New Kurus (Yeni Kuruş) Ykr. However, "USD" and "Euro" can also be used for cash payments!
• Tip - %10 is normal.
• Safety - Istanbul is no less safe than any other large metropolitan city. Take the usual precautions.
• Religions and sacred places - Dress appropriately when visiting mosques and other sacred sites. Women should cover bare arms and men and women, legs if wearing shorts. Most places will provide you with appropriate scarves.