Cherry Arcenas
Google
A Hidden Gem for Book Lovers in Istanbul
I included Sahaflar Bazaar in my Istanbul itinerary after reading about it in a travel blog, and I’m so glad I did—it turned out to be one of my happiest discoveries in the city as a book lover.
Tucked away in a quiet spot, this historic bazaar is a charming cluster of small bookshops selling both old and new books, along with souvenirs and stationery. To my delight, I found a wide selection of English books on Turkish history, architecture, design, cuisine, and culture. They also carry classic English novels and some academic titles.
As someone who collects cookbooks from every country I visit, I was thrilled to finally find the Turkish cookbook I’d been searching for all over the city—right here in Sahaflar. The variety of cookbooks alone had me joyfully torn over which one to bring home!
The atmosphere is peaceful and low-pressure. Unlike some tourist-heavy areas, the vendors here are warm, friendly, and never pushy. One particularly kind bookseller, whose shop is near the small drinking fountain in the courtyard, even gifted us a free set of magnets as a souvenir—a gesture we truly appreciated and won’t forget.
If you’re a reader, collector, or just someone who enjoys browsing in a calm, nostalgic setting, Sahaflar Bazaar is a must-visit in Istanbul.