Top Souvenirs for Turkey Travelers to Buy
Turkey has a rich history that comprises many cultures. Over the centuries, many kingdoms, such as the Greeks, Romans, and Persians, ruled over Turkey, each bringing their cultural heritage to Turkey. Many of these can be observed to this day like the ruins of Hierapolis, the ancient city of Konya, and several other places where ancient remnants of these cultures remain.
This makes Turkey, an excellent tourist destination for those who wish to delve deeper into the history and culture of Turkey.
While taking pictures and recording videos are great ways to remember all the amazing places you have visited in Turkey, the best way to make your trip memorable is by buying traditional souvenirs. There are plenty of marvels that you can purchase and take back home that will be permanent reminders of the excellent and enriching journey you undertook in Turkey.
Take a look at the top souvenirs for Turkey visitors to buy
So, let's take a look at the top 6 souvenirs for Turkey visitors to buy during their journey.
Handmade Carpets and Kilims from Istanbul
If you are looking for souvenirs that do more than just remind you of your visit to Turkey, few other choices can compete with the handmade carpets and Kilims of Turkey. These handicraft items are created using traditional methods, perfected by the locals of Turkey, and adorned with many beautiful designs.
These serve as excellent decorations for your house while maintaining the functionality of any regular carpet. Seeing them every time you wake up or return from a busy day of work will remind you of the excellent culture and heritage these items possess.
If you are looking for some excellent handmade carpets and Kilims, they can be found at many of the market stalls around Turkey that sell them. However, Istanbul has several excellent stores that can offer a ton of variety to choose from which might be desirable for those looking to make more than a single purchase.
Spices from Egyptian Bazaar
Another excellent souvenir choice is the excellent spices that give the delicacies of Turkey their exotic taste. Spices like the following are the pride of Turkish spice markets which there are plenty to choose from:
- Red Pepper
- Zaatar
- Suamk
- Saffron
- Turkish Bay Leaves
- Cumin
These spices don't just add flavor and color to our food, but also to the markets which sell them. Their amazing smell and their vibrant colors make these spice markets, one of the best shopping experiences you can ever have anywhere.
The best part about all of this is that you can take these spices back home, where their smell and taste will remind you of the delightful experience of exploring a Turkish spice market. Spice markets are spread across the entire country, but the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul is the most popular market for buying spices in Turkey.
While pre-packaged spices will still provide you with the signature taste of Turkey's spices, we suggest going to local stores where spices are made fresh, which makes them the best way to enjoy the spices of Turkey.
Lokum from Hafiz Mustafa
When it comes to a very memorable delicacy from Turkey, the Lokum is very hard to beat. This sweet confectionary is not only a delight on your tongue but also has a rich history of its own. The origins of this sweet is not known, but it has been used as a delicacy in both Greek and Turkish cultures at least since the late 18th Century.
Lokum is made in a variety of flavors which include Pomegranate, Rose, and Lemons. Flavors are not the only variety, you can also add some crunch to these sweets with the addition of some dry fruits like walnuts and pistachio.
You can acquire this delicious delicacy from any of the local sweet shops around Turkey, but the best place to get this sweet is the Hafiz Mustafa sweet shop in Istanbul. The traditional taste of starch and sugar, mixed with some almonds, is sure to bring the happy memories you had during your trip to Turkey.
Traditional Ceramic and Pottery from Cappadocia
Tourists who wish to decorate their homes in the traditional styles of Turkish handicrafts will find the Ceramics and Pottery industry of Turkey to be an excellent choice for this purpose. These pots and ceramic items are designed with intricate symbols that have been a part of Turkish traditions for centuries.
When you look at any of these pots and ceramics, you are not looking at just a pretty-looking design, but into the history of Turkey itself. The makers of these items are very skilled craftsmen who have perfected the techniques for making these items from a very early age.
If you wish to take one of these pots or ceramics as a souvenir, then the Cappadocia region has several local shops that can provide you with a ton of variety to choose from.
Evil Eyes from Cappadocia
An interesting-looking piece of souvenir that you can get your hands on in Turkey is the blue Evil Eye pendant. These pendants are designed to be in a color scheme of blue and white with the main feature of the pendant being an eye-like design on the pendant.
Contrary to its name, the main purpose for creating these things is due to the belief that they ward off evil spirits and prevent misfortune from befalling the holder of the eye. These souvenirs are very commonly found in the homes of the Turkish locals and are an excellent decoration item for both you and your home.
Evil Eyes can be acquired from any local shop, with the Cappadocia region having a ton of these small shops and stalls that can sell them to you. The evil eye is not restricted to pendants alone and can be acquired in several different forms such as:
- Bracelets
- Badges
- Keychains
This makes the Evil Eyes, one of the most flexible souvenirs in Turkey, capable of fitting into several different scenarios.
Turkish Jewelry from The Grand Bazaar
The jewelry that can be found in Turkey is a sight to behold. These pieces of jewelry are designed in traditional styles of several different cultures that once resided in Turkey with the Ottoman jewelry being a highlight of the jewelry types you can find in Turkey. In addition to its variety of jewelry designs, Turkey also has some of the cheapest prices for gold in the world, which makes jewelry more affordable in Turkey than in other countries in the world. All of this makes a jewelry piece or set from Turkey, one of the best souvenir types to remember your journey long after it has concluded.
When it comes to finding the best jewelry sets and pieces in Turkey, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul houses some of the best jewelry stores in all of Turkey.
Turkey is a land that contains a mix of several cultures that have resided in it over the many past centuries. Remnants of their civilization and culture can still be seen lying around in many parts of the country that are its most interesting and picturesque locations for tourists. These old sites, ruins, monuments, and other art are very important to Turkey even to this day.
A souvenir from Turkey is a great way to remember all the amazing places and experiences you witnessed during your journey for years to come. So, if you are looking to visit Turkey to explore these ancient marvels yourself, start applying for your Turkish tourist e-visa early and book all your reservations in advance to avoid any issues with lack of availability and waiting times.
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Bahamas citizens, Chinese citizens, South African citizens and Mexican citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.