BLOG Our Favourite Places for Shopping in Bodrum

Shopping in Bodrum

Out of all our favourite things to do in Turkey, shopping in Bodrum is near the top of our list. The diversity and choice of the town centre and smaller coastal resorts ensures any shopper finds precisely what they want. The best places on the peninsula sell everything from cheap and tacky to expensive and sophisticated.

Browse through small individual boutiques, head to brand name stores, or buy from the simple one-person trader on the weekly market. We know where to go for the bargains if strapped for cash, but likewise have our favourite shops for overindulging. Whereas Istanbul often turns into a hectic experience because of the masses of crowds and fast-paced atmosphere, Bodrum offers a pleasant, slow-paced experience, which we often combine with brunch, lunch, and afternoon coffees. So, let’s look at where to shop and what to know when there.

Shopping in Bodrum, Turkey. Where & What to Buy

Old Town Area Shopping

A stroll through the narrow back streets running parallel to the sea throws up a host of small, quirky stalls and clothing boutiques with unique items for the one-of-a-kind look. On our last visit, we stumbled upon a little bookstore selling old titles that have been on our reading list for quite a while. In a small side-street boutique, a local woman sold beautiful tunic tops for summer. Other Turks sold handmade sandals, the perfect souvenir for someone back home. The old town is more of a slow-paced place to go shopping and is ideally combined with refreshments in between. We ended the day with ice-cold beers in the Belediye café that has a marvellous view of the castle.

Bodrum Weekly Market

A must-do experience for every self-catering holidaymaker is the weekly farmers' market for fruit and vegetables, but also souvenirs, and clothes. The weekly markets shine through in Turkish culture, as the heart of all communities, rather than a shopping expedition. Our favourite is Yalikavak on a Thursday, simply because of the mass choice. To complete the cultural aspect, snack on Gozleme, the traditional Turkish market food and drink Ayran, a mixture of water, yoghurt, and salt that is refreshing in the summer, and that locals love.

Bodrum Midtown Shopping Mall

Welcome to your local shopping mall, in the Ortakent district. The super smart and immensely clean Midtown Centre has two floors with a variety of stores for home, clothes, books, shoes, children, electronics and much more. Combine a trip with lunch in one of the famous eateries, including Chinese Inn, Subway, and Starbucks or Burger King. Although summer is a busy time, during winter, the crowds are sparse, leaving us to shop leisurely at our own pace. It also has an English Home, and a Marks and Spencer store.

The Oasis Centre

Alternatively, for another experience where everything is under one roof, fashionable Oasis steps up to the mark. Sitting on the Sehitleri Caddesi, and including well-known Western brands such as Nike, Adidas, Mothercare, and Gap, browse through Turkish brand name stores such as Koton and LC Waikiki. Oasis hosts a cinema, sports club, ten pin blowing and 17 different places to eat, and these all entertain kids who don’t enjoy shopping.

Ikea Bodrum

Ikea is now in Bodrum, so no more trips to Izmir now. Sitting in Konacik, this branch is for ordering and shipping only, so don’t expect a large showroom. Order online and come and pick it up, or choose delivery to your doorstep. Opening hours are daily from 10 am to 8 pm and located close to Koctas and Metro shops, they are a practical solution for those wanting to shop in one place.

Shop at Yalikavak Marina

For luxury-goods, travellers should head to Yalikavak Marina. This state-of-the-art establishment on the Turkish Riviera is the only one in Turkey to host mega yachts, so that shows a thing about the expensive shops and the clients that visit them. It has an exclusive member-only Billionaire Club and heliport. Still, our budget doesn’t stretch that far, so we stick to the shops including Armani, Capri Touch, and Vakko Mare that sells over 20 brands of high-end western designers all under one roof. The best thing is indulging in a good quality meal after splashing the cash.

The most famous restaurants is Nusr-Et Steakhouse. The owner shot to fame in January 2017 as the Salt Bae chef, who dramatically sprinkled the seasoning on his steak. Having opened many branches around Turkey, he also opened in London and has even served Leonardo DiCaprio, a testament as to the quality of his restaurants. Alternatively, if a slap-up steak meal is too heavy on the stomach, Sait Seafood is another restaurant attracting a high-end clientele. Our recommendation is to extend your visit to Yalikavak and stay overnight to visit other places to shop, eat, and relax.

Online-shopping

Shoppers with little time, who want convenience can also shop online. A popular website is Hepsi Burada where merchants sell everything including furnishings, trendy apparel, bargain goods, groceries, footwear, jewellery, cosmetics, antiques, watches and much more. Operating all over Turkey, think of it as the country’s version of E-Bay or Amazon. Although you will need a translating app, it is by far one of the best online shopping sites and handy when you can’t go shopping. Just open an account, add your address, and card details, and then you are good to go.

Popular Turkish Clothing Brands

Over the last 20 years, fashion designers have risen the ranks to become countrywide fashion brands. Now, known by young and old all over Turkey, their high street stores appear in many cities and towns including Bodrum. Some cater in casual chic, while others focus on a more bohemian lifestyle. Other attract the attention of working professional, while most include a nightlife section for you to dress up and hit the town. Find out more about Turkish fashion houses and which brands to keep an eye out for.

Souvenir Shopping

Most holidaymakers to Turkey like to go home with a souvenir or two. And why not? They make for great keepsakes to remind us of good times. The good news is that Turkish souvenirs are varied as they are plentiful, from the widely sold Turkish evil eye and sweet delight to more particular items like Iznik ceramic pottery. Find out more about souvenir shopping and what we recommend you buy when shopping in Bodrum.

About Us: We are Turkey Homes, a property and lifestyle specialist with offices all over the country, including Bodrum. We’ve put our local knowledge to good use by writing about our experiences and destinations in our Turkey blog. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to stay updated with news, articles and developments from the Bodrum peninsula.