I was researching malls in Istanbul.... Here in the US malls usually open late at noon and  close early on Sunday at 6:00pm. Imagine my surprise when I researched that shopping malls in Turkey stay open from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily! Anyway it made me so happy as I will arrive on Sunday just in time to hopefully spend some Turkish Liras at a shopping mall...

My question is this...I am leaning to Metrocity as it seems not too posh or swanky. Because I surely won´t be dressed too swanky.  But Akmerkez does seem so inviting as do Kanyon. Does anybody have any information on the best mall for an ordinary tourist like myself?

Someone who lives in Istanbul would probably best answer this question..

 I spent few hours in Olivium mall, in this february, and I can say that was extraordinary...I found a lot of quality clothes at very lower prices - 5 times sales...I havent words to describe this nall. there are a lot of malls in my country, but Olivium seems the best. We can find here a list http://www.letsgoistanbul.com/malls.htm

Capacity and Carousel are cheap for shopping in Bakırköy

Cevahir has thousand of alternatives you can do at but it is a little expensive

If you are going to make shopping, never go to the Kanyon because you may have to spend your fortune

Malls of Beylikdüzü shine too, now they build new one to Avcılar, by the name of "Pelican"

If you are looking for cheap outlets, 212 at Güneşli community of Bağcılar is very appropriate,

Zeytinburnu´s Olivium is another good place for outlet

Note: I know istanbul since i was born, so you can trust at me

 But.. but .. but.. You´re a guy What do you know about it

Sorry couldn´t resist

For me the best shopping mall in Istanbul so far is "Istiye Park"

http://www.istinyepark.com/main_en.html

check it out

then i would prefer "Kanyon"

At Kanyon;

A sandwich: 25 TL

A hat appropriate to fashion: 125 TL

Subway Cost: 1.5 TL

But meeting and asking a sign from a movie star is beyond the prices 

Note: ForumIstanbul of Bayrampaşa is going to beat them all

There are shops from every range in Kanyon but the atmosphere and the open walking areas are giving a peaceful time to spend in there... everything is not the money

I am talking about the shopping here, not traveling inside the malls. If you want a mall to travel inside, you can travel Cevahir, it is like a maze

Kanyon is very unappropriate at winters, it snows and rains inside the mall

 Tastes differ but this never changes the fact that Kanyon is legend in not only in Istanbul but also in Turkey...

and i have answered you also about shopping with the sentece "there are shops from every range".  If you dont want to pay 25tl for sandwich or 40tl for a nice dish at NumNum, you can go McDonalds etc... If you dont want to buy from Vakko or HarveyNichols, you can visit MaviJeans, Levi´s etc.. etc..

Yes Sui, you are right, Kanyon is a brand for Istanbul. And a lot of international premiere are organized at there, some years ago some players of Harry Potter series had attended premiere at Kanyon.

And NumNum is a very good place, it has got a different atmosphere.

Wowwww... so much valuable information. Thank you everyone!

Wow, both of these malls look awesome! I think if I was in Istanbul, I would pick Kanyon regardless of the price. I would go just for the experience...it looks amazing!!

Personal tastes are subjective. One cannot be considered to be ignorant just because their tastes may differ from your own. It appears the word "ignorant" is being used extremely loosely in this case.

I think she means that its an awfully long way to travel just to look at the shops! (oh - and nightclubs! )  Istanbul is a beautiful and fascinating city full of culture and history such as you would never see in the US - whereas shopping malls are shopping malls the world over.

That is true Lady in Red.... And fortunately I had a chance to see many beautiful historical places (so many I won´t name here) and strangely enough, I did not walk into one mall

I did hit the nightclubs though

Considering that Istanbul is just composed of night clubs, some historical places and shopping malls is exactly a big mistake.

Istanbul is where cultures and religions shake hand. Istanbul is where mosques, synagogues and churches smile each other.

Istanbul is where the smell of modernity and history melded. Istanbul is where you can jump to Asia from Europe just in seconds. Istanbul is where you can drink a tea by watching the unique scene of Bosphorus, Asia is in one side and Europe is in another side.

Istanbul is a city that looks like it is going to never end. So big, so huge.

This is what I can tell about Istanbul. But sentences and words are never going to be enough to tell the taste of experiencing Istanbul. I am in love with my city. It is unique.

thx

turkishcobra //

 very well said turkishcorba, and much well described.

Drinking tea at the Bosphorus is an event by itself.

Did someone go to Turkuazoo?

Anyone?

 I didnt but it looks fantastic!!!

I am in love with istanbul too leaving a part of my heart anytime i go there,wandering around,watching ppl,crusing on ferries aimlessly...sitting for hours in cafes,practising Turkish..

but I go to the malls..I am a typical woman)and I must admit Istanbul has wonderful ones!!!!!!

I agree with elenagabriela...Olivium might be a little far away from the city center (located in Zeytinburnu) but you can find cheap-n-quality stuff there...

http://www.olivium.com/gb-profile.asp