Private Shopping Assistance
in Istanbul
Help finding handcrafted pieces you would like to live with, wear, or give to someone special.
You may have a particular rug in mind, want to commission jewelry, or simply know the colors and materials you enjoy. We discuss your interests first, then plan private visits to specialists whose collections suit your request.
Your shopping guide helps with the visits, questions, and practical arrangements. The day can focus on one important purchase or a selection of rugs, kilims, tiles, ceramics, jewelry, and textiles.
A paid, private guiding service. Your quote confirms the guiding fee; purchases and any optional transportation are separate.
A shopping guide for the things
you are looking for
The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market may be part of your visit, but many of the specialists we recommend are elsewhere in the Old City and other established shopping areas. The route follows your interests rather than a standard sequence of shops.
We arrange private shopping assistance for individuals, couples, families, and travel advisor clients. A licensed female guide can be requested, subject to availability. The meeting point, timing, and any transportation are agreed around your hotel, itinerary, and the places you would like to visit.
We have no affiliation with the stores we recommend and receive no commissions or kickbacks from your purchases. You have time to compare and decide, with no obligation to buy.
Pieces for your home,
your collection, or yourself
Handmade Rugs & Kilims
Room-size rugs, runners, smaller pieces, and kilims. Approximate dimensions, photographs of your room, and preferred colors help us plan visits to rug specialists with suitable collections.
Iznik Tiles & Ceramics
Individual tiles, decorative panels, and ceramics for display or everyday use. For larger compositions or custom work, share your measurements and design references before the visit.
Fine & Custom-Made Jewelry
Ready-made pieces or a design discussed with a jeweler. We commonly see 14- and 18-karat gold, with some 22-karat collections. Materials, certification, price, and completion dates are confirmed by the jeweler.
Suzanis & Decorative Textiles
Embroidered pieces for walls, beds, tables, or cushions. Photographs of the setting and a sense of your preferred colors are useful when choosing a piece for your home.
Linens, Towels & Scarves
Turkish towels, table and bath linens, embroidered fabrics, and silk, cashmere, or pashmina scarves. Tell us whether you are choosing individual gifts or coordinated pieces for a particular setting.
Leather Goods & Specialties
Purses and other leather goods can be included by request, along with spices, Turkish delight, tea, nuts, and dried fruit. We choose the visits according to what interests you.
A few details make the visits
more useful
Share your interests
Tell us your date in Istanbul and the types of pieces you would like to see. You can share a purchasing budget if helpful, but it is optional.
Send a few references
Room photographs and measurements help with rugs and tiles. For jewelry or textiles, a few images can communicate your taste.
Agree on the arrangements
We discuss the visits, guiding fee, meeting point, and time available. Private transportation can be added and quoted separately.
Allow time for custom work
If you are considering custom-made jewelry, allow at least two days in Istanbul for the request to be considered. The jeweler confirms what can be completed within your stay; some designs need longer. A one-day cruise visit is generally better suited to pieces already available.
For custom tiles and larger orders, production and delivery dates are agreed directly with the retailer. Intended use and care requirements for ceramics should also be confirmed for the particular piece.
The terms are confirmed
before you decide
Your purchases are made directly with the retailer. Before placing an order, confirm the item description, materials, price, payment terms, and any certification or warranty. For custom work, the design and completion arrangements should also be agreed.
Rug Delivery
The established rug specialists we recommend include international delivery with rug purchases, including to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The retailer confirms the delivery terms before you purchase.
Tiles & Ceramics
Delivery may be included for orders meeting the retailer’s required size or value. Smaller orders can generally be shipped for an additional charge. Packaging, timing, and charges are confirmed with the retailer.
Payment & Shipping Details
Visa and Mastercard are accepted by the retailers we recommend; American Express acceptance varies. Confirm payment conditions, delivery address, tracking, and any destination charges before completing the purchase.
Purchases and shipping arrangements remain between you and the retailer. If a question arises about a purchase made during a shopping experience arranged by us, we can assist with communication.
A dedicated shopping visit
or time within a longer stay
We can arrange a separate shopping experience or include requested shopping within several private days in Istanbul. A significant rug purchase, custom jewelry, or a larger tile order usually benefits from dedicated time.
Tell us if you are visiting from Galataport Istanbul, staying before or after a cruise, or joining another tour. We discuss what fits your available time. Private transportation is an optional addition, rather than part of the standard guiding service.
Shopping assistance for your clients
Share your client’s interests, hotel, travel dates, and existing itinerary. We can coordinate private shopping visits around their stay, agree on communication with you, and confirm any guiding or transportation costs before booking.
Our service for travel advisorsQuestions about shopping in Istanbul
What does private shopping assistance in Istanbul include?
We plan the agreed shopping visits around your interests and provide private guiding. Your quote confirms the guiding fee, timing, meeting point, and any added services. Purchases are paid directly to the retailer. Private transportation is optional and quoted separately.
Can you help me find a handmade Turkish rug or kilim?
Yes. Share the approximate size, room photographs, colors, and styles you like. We can plan visits to rug specialists with suitable collections. You have time to view and compare pieces, with no obligation to purchase.
Do you receive commissions from shops?
No. We receive no commissions or kickbacks from your purchases and are not affiliated with the stores we recommend. Our private guiding service is paid through the fee agreed with you before booking.
Will we only visit the Grand Bazaar?
No. The Grand Bazaar or Spice Market can be included, but many of the specialists we recommend are elsewhere in the Old City and other established shopping areas. We plan the route around the types of pieces you want to see.
Do I need to know exactly what I want or share a budget?
No. General preferences are enough to start the conversation. Photographs, dimensions, and examples can help us understand your taste. You are welcome to share a purchasing budget, but it is not required.
Is there any obligation to buy?
No. The guiding fee covers the agreed private service. There is no obligation to purchase anything from the stores you visit, and purchases are made directly between you and the retailer.
Is international delivery included for rugs?
The established rug specialists we recommend include international delivery with rug purchases, including to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Confirm all shipping terms and any destination charges directly with the retailer before purchasing.
Can tiles and ceramics be shipped?
Yes. Delivery may be included once an order meets the retailer’s required size or value. Smaller orders can generally be shipped for an additional charge. The retailer confirms packaging, timing, costs, and the complete delivery terms.
Can you help with custom-made jewelry?
Yes, subject to the design, jeweler’s availability, and time required. Allow at least two days in Istanbul for a request to be considered, and share visual references where possible. The jeweler confirms the materials, price, design, and completion time before you order. Some designs need longer.
Can I request a female shopping guide?
Yes, subject to availability. Mention your preference when you send your dates and interests so we can check suitable guide arrangements before confirming the visit.
Is private transportation included?
No. Private transportation can be added when it suits the route, the nature of the purchases, or your preferred comfort. Any vehicle service and its price are agreed separately before booking.
Can shopping be combined with sightseeing or arranged during a cruise visit?
Yes, when the timing and route allow. Share your existing itinerary, hotel or ship details, and shopping interests. A dedicated visit is usually more suitable for an important rug purchase, larger tile order, or custom-made jewelry. Custom production is generally unsuitable for a one-day cruise call.
What would you like
to bring home from Istanbul?
Share your date in Istanbul, the pieces you are considering, and any photographs or references you would like us to see. We will discuss the visits and prepare a quote for your private shopping arrangements.
Private Istanbul Walking Tours is a fully licensed, owner-operated boutique travel company based in Istanbul, co-owned by a woman and founded by two licensed professional guides. Shopping assistance is one part of our wider private Istanbul tours and custom-made Turkey travel service.