Shopping in Istanbul is one of the delights of a visit to this city where wandering through the colourful bazaars is as enjoyable as browsing in the modern shops. For all tourists the "Kapali Carsi" or Covered Bazaar in the old city is, of course, the fav ourite place. In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4000 shops with each trade having its own place: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers' street and so on. Of the great variety of goods offered there is something to suit every tas te and pocket. There is a wide selection of jewellery, from traditional to modern settings, while the carpet shops display eye-catching wares of vivid colours and intricate designs.Turkish arts and crafts, such as the hand painted ceramic plates, hand-bea ten copper, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes all make charming souvenirs and gifts. Leather and suede goods are excellent and relatively inexpensive. In the Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar, the pattern of shopping seems to have remained unchanged for centuries. Behind the Yeni Mosque is another attractive bazaar of a different sort, Misir Carsisi or the Spice Bazaar. Here the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and ever y other conceivable herb and spice. The Istanbul Sanatlan Carsisi (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) is located in the l8th century Mehmet Efendi Medresesi on Sultan Ahmet Square, close by is the Caferaga Medrese built by Sinan in the 16th century and now a cultur al centre. Both are shopping areas for Turkish handicrafts and the places where they are actually made. Also in the arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque is another busy and popular shopping centre. Contrasting with the noisy bustle of the bazaar s are the sophisticated shops of the Taksim-Nisantasi-Sisli districts. At Istiklal Caddesi, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, and near Taksim and Rumeli Caddesi in Nisantasi, are the most fashionable shops where attractive Turkish fashion, which has been created from t he high quality textiles of the country, can be found. Exquisite jewellery as well as finely designed handbags and shoes are also available. The recently developed Galleria complex in the Atakoy district has proved to be very popular and now offers some o f the most elegant shops in Islanbul. On the Asian side of Istanbul at Bahariye Avenue and Bagdat Avenue and Capitol Shopping Mall are similar modern shopping centres. Istanbul has many busy flea markets where one can find an astonishing assortment of goo ds, both old and new. The Sahaflar Carsisi and Camarati in the Beyazit district are open every day. Between Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar is a flea market on Sundays, while in Aksaray, the market at Horhor Carsisi is open on weekends. Open daily are fle a markets in the Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma Sokak in Cihangir, on Buyuk Hamam Sokak in Uskudar, in the Kadikoy Carsi Duragi area, and one between Eminonu and Tahtakale. On Sunday there is a market between Buyukdere and Sariyer.

melih@knidos.cc.metu.edu.tr