Top 10 Souvenirs to buy in Turkey 2026 (Istanbul - Cappadocia)

Turkey is one of those destinations that travellers don't go back a second time unless they really want to. I loved my Turkey trip, but I knew I wouldn't be back anytime soon. That's why buying all the best souvenirs from Turkey was so important to me. My husband and I had to buy a new 30kg luggage on the Asian Side just to fill up our Turkey souvenirs, and we have no regrets.

Quick Summary of what we bought:

• Cappadocia: Clay fridge magnets, clay figurines of fairy chimneys, and Raki.

• European side of Istanbul: Fatih district - Hammam soap, Baklava, Turkish Delights, Evil eye keytags, and ceramic coasters.

• European side of Istanbul: Taksim area - Galata tower fridge magnets, Turkish coffee, spice powder and Turkish rugs.

• Asian side of Istanbul: Dolma, pickles and salgam suyu (acquired taste though)

Best Souvenirs to buy in Turkey

These are some of the best souvenirs from Turkey to buy on your vacation.

Turkish Ceramic Coasters

Ceramic coasters can be found in any bazaar or roadside souvenir shop in the European side of Istanbul. You can find a variety of coasters in the Grand Bazaar, ranging from 3$ - 6$ depending on the size and how well you can negotiate. It's generally cheaper to buy a 4 or 6-piece set than a single coaster.

Olive Oil Hammam Soap

Olive oil soaps are super famous for gifting here. I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest fan of the strong detergent-like scent, but it's actually good for your skin. A bar of soap costs about 3$ and usually comes in a pretty package, ideal to gift to a loved one. You can find these too in the Grand Bazaar. We bought ours at the airport, and it was slightly more expensive.

Evil Eye (Nazar) Amulet

You would've seen the Nazar symbol on profile names - a blue and white eye - that's quite captivating. Though its Mediterranean origins are ambiguous, Turkey is one of the only countries that commercialise this amulet. The word Nazar stands for 'sight' or 'surveillance' in Arabic. You can find this literally everywhere in the country. In jewellery shops and souvenir shops, to restaurants and trees (yes! We saw a tree full of amulets hanging near the pigeon valley in Cappadocia).

Key chains and bracelets are the most famous Nazar souvenirs in Turkey. It would cost 1$ - 5$ for a keytag in Istanbul.

Clay Fridge Magnets

Cappadocia is famous for clay figurines, and you can find all kinds of handmade souvenirs in Göreme town and its outskirts. Clay fridge magnets make great Turkey souvenirs, and they come in different designs. From fairy chimneys to hot air balloons, I'd say they're great for gifting too. One would cost you 2$-5$ once again, depending on the shop and your negotiation skills. They're much more expensive at the Grand Bazaar.

Keep in mind, though, they're quite heavy and may not hold on to the magnet for too long (yes, some of my clay magnets fell off the fridge, but I glued the magnet again, and now it sits well).

Turkish mixed spice (Karışık Baharat)

Our first destination in Turkey was Cappadocia, and it was during the winter, February, and we were freezing on the road at 7 p.m., looking for a good place for Testi Kebab. We finally found one, and that was our first official taste of Turkey, and I fell in love with the spices. Unlike South Asian spices, which are dominated by either curry or pure heat, Turkish spices were a perfect combination of aroma and flavour.

We ended up buying their famous 7 spice from Makbul (a renowned grocery store chain that sells all kinds of dried fruits, nuts, jams, sweets and spices). The 7-spice 43g pack is a handy luggage-friendly spice packet. It includes Mint, Fenugreek powder, Paprika powder, Poymatilla, Thyme, Sumac, Coriander powder, Chilli flakes, Breadcrumbs, and Salt. It costs only 0.50$.

Turkish Coffee or Salep

Turkish coffee is not for the faint-hearted. To be honest, as a tea girlie, I did not enjoy Turkish coffee, but my husband did. He bought a bunch of coffee packs from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. 100g would cost 3$.

I, on the other hand, fell in love with the dainty and rich taste of Salep (a seasonal orchid drink unique to Turkey). On a chilly evening, sipping a warm salep sprinkled with cinnamon is just divine. I got salep from Hafiz Mustafa, a 170g pack cost 13$. Keep in mind that this is a seasonal speciality, and it's an arduous harvest, so you've got to pay a premium price.

Raki (Anatolian booze)

Raki is a Turkish alcoholic speciality, their own moonshine. It's commonly found in the Anatolian region (Cappadocia, Pamukkale, the Asian side of Istanbul, etc.), where, unlike the European Side of Istanbul, the religious diversity is high with many Christians and Orthodox communities living together.

You can find it in airports as well; it's a nice gift to bring back home. A typical 700 ml bottle would cost about 40$.

Baklava and Turkish Delights

I'm sure this doesn't require a special mention. Every Turkey trip ends with a camera full of memories and a luggage full of Baklava and Turkish Delights. When you're on the European side of Istanbul, you'll see 50+ sweet shops, and they all offer pretty much the same flavours, which taste similar; you can pick and choose what fits your budget. I would recommend trying Baklava at Hafiz Mustafa and Karaköy Güllüoğlu.

500g of good-quality Baklava would cost about 50$, it depends on one store to another. Turkish Delights, on the other hand, are much cheaper; you can buy the basic ones from 10$ upwards. But I would recommend the nut-filled roasted variant, which is more delicious.

Turkish Rugs and Turkish Lanterns

If your baggage and budget allow the extra kilos and volume, these are nice and unique gifts to take back home. You can find traditional lanterns and rugs in Bazaars across Istanbul. The price range is pretty similar as long as you can negotiate. Prices for rugs usually start from 50$ upwards, and lanterns from 15$ upwards.

We, of course, had no extra luggage space, so we opted for a prayer mat.

Pickles and Şalgam Suyu (Tursu Suyu)

Turkish pickle juice is so underrated. I found out about it while in Kadikoy. We had some oily kebabs, and the restaurant owner offered Şalgam Suyu. This brand (Doganay) can be found in supermarkets (particularly in the Asian Side), and this specific flavour was infused with chilli. It was an instant hit for me, though I must say it's an acquired taste.

If you walk around Kadikoy, you'll find many deli shops and pickle juice shops where they sell fresh ones right out of a barrel. A small bottle costs about 2$.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Here are some questions we get from people who plan to travel to Turkey.

What is the most popular souvenir to buy in Turkey?

Baklava, evil eye charms, spices, Turkish delight, handmade ceramics, and carpets are among Turkey's most iconic souvenirs. Make sure to include at least 2 of these in your shopping list.

What is worth buying in Turkey?

Buy authentic ceramics, Turkish tea sets, spices, leather goods, olive oil soaps, and locally made jewellery for memorable, quality souvenirs. It's worth spending a few extra dollars here.

Are souvenirs in Turkey expensive?

Prices vary by location and product. Rugs and elaborate lanterns are on the higher side. Markets in Istanbul are affordable, while tourist hotspots charge more. Bargaining is common in many shops and bazaars.

Where is the best place to buy souvenirs in Turkey?

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and local artisan shops offer the widest selection of authentic Turkish souvenirs. Keep in mind that Cappadocia is more expensive in general compared to Istanbul.

Can you bargain when shopping in Turkey?

Yes! Bargaining is part of the shopping culture in markets and bazaars, but fixed-price stores and malls usually don't negotiate prices.

Final Thoughts

The best souvenirs from Turkey are usually the ones that you see on postcards. I must say, though, they are worth it. Especially those little ceramic coasters, nazar keychains, Turkish coffee and sweets.

If you're planning your trip to Turkey in 2026 or 2027, and have doubts you want to clear up, drop them in the comments!