What to bring from Turkey in 2024: gift and souvenir ideas | Guide Club

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While on vacation in Turkey, you will inevitably wonder what to bring home. There are so many options that it is difficult to make a choice. Sweets, textiles, soap, handmade products from local craftsmen — and all this is easy to fit into the budget, because the prices are pleasant. It is better to plan your purchases in advance, and we will help you do this. See below photos and tips for tourists about different gifts from Turkey: what to buy, where to find, what cultural significance a particular souvenir has. Choose the best presents to surprise your loved ones and preserve the memory of this extraordinary country.

What edible souvenirs can you buy in Turkey?

A trip to Turkey is a gourmet holiday. Oriental sweets, tea, coffee, spices, wine… What’s not there! Even after returning home, you can enjoy your favorite flavors, because many delicacies have become traditional souvenirs. Let’s tell you in more detail what products should be brought from Turkey.

Turkish sweets

Sweets are often the answer to the question of what to bring from Turkey. They are delicious and varied here, and most importantly, they are unlike anything else at home. Pomegranate onion, fig jam, rose petal jam — all this is definitely worth a try. What else is delicious that tourists bring from Turkey:

• Baklava. The famous dessert is made from several layers of thin filo dough, nuts and honey. Different types of baklava can be found in any pastry shop. To bring it fresh, buy a treat before leaving and ask to pack it well.
• Turkish delight. You’ve probably tried these traditional oriental sweets before. But it is believed that Turkish delight is tastier in Turkey than anywhere else. Try these soft sugar-starch cubes with the addition of fruits, nuts and spices, and take the most delicious ones with you.
• Halva. Halva began to be made in Turkey during the time of the Byzantine Empire around the XI-XII centuries. Now you can try different types of it. Nuts, soft caramel, chocolate and herbal extracts are added to the base of sesame paste and sugar syrup.
• Honey. Turkey ranks second in the world among honey producers. There are many varieties of this product here. If you choose what good things you can bring from Turkey as a gift to your family, treat them to pine, lavender, chestnut or hazelnut honey with a wonderful aroma.
• Writing. This dessert is also called “dragon’s beard”. It is a cross between halva and cotton candy. The thinnest threads of flour and sugar are placed in soft balls that melt in the mouth. Writing is done with various additives: nuts, sesame seeds, coffee, there are strawberry and lemon varieties.
• Kadife. Another confectionery product based on thin strands of dough. Nut filling is wrapped in them, and sugar syrup or honey is poured on top. After that, the delicacy is baked in the oven, it turns out crispy, but juicy. To bring kadife from Turkey as a delicious gift, choose a fresh product in a vacuum package and protect it from the sun.

Oriental spices

One of the reasons why Turkish cuisine is so good is the use of different spices. They have been traded in Istanbul for centuries, because the city was located on the Silk Road. Spices are an easy and inexpensive product, they are stored for a long time and take up little space. So it’s a great idea to ask to bring it from Turkey or buy it yourself.

The most popular place to buy spices is the Egyptian market. It has been operating since the XVII century, and any seasonings that are available are sold here. For example, saffron, which is obtained from crocus flowers. It is considered the most expensive spice in the world, but it is produced in large quantities in Turkey, so the prices here are not so high. Another well—known local seasoning is sumac, similar to the more familiar barberry. Small sour berries add piquancy to soups, pilaf, meat and vegetables. It is worth bringing red Aleppo pepper, cumin, thyme, cinnamon and mint.

Fresh and dried fruits

What should I bring from Turkey to my child and other relatives? Of course, ripe fruits, of which there are so many in any season. Medlar, plums, apricots and cherries are sold in the markets in spring and June. Peaches, apples and nectarines appear in July. A little later, tangerines and grapes ripen. In autumn, persimmons and pomegranates, for which Turkey is famous, come to the fore. We recommend trying different varieties of pomegranates to choose the best ones. For example, whites are sweeter and almost seedless. In winter, along with pomegranates, the most popular fruits are quince and oranges. Strawberries are available in any season. It grows in open plantations in spring and summer, and in greenhouses in winter.

Figs, melons and some other fruits are too tender or large to take home. A good solution is to buy dried fruits. Figs, apricots, raisins, dates are a delicious and healthy delicacy that is sold everywhere. Dried fruits can be eaten separately or added to desserts. They are dried in the sun immediately after harvest, everything is fresh and delicious.

Turkish cheese

Another idea of what to bring from Turkey is cheese. More than a hundred varieties of it are sold in the country, including analogues of famous cheeses from other places. For example, yellow aged Eski Kasar, similar to Italian Parmesan. Young goat and sheep cheeses are very popular. Lovers of cream cheeses will love the soft snow-white Kaymak. It goes well with honey, strawberries, and fruits. When buying, you can almost always try the product and choose the most delicious one. Gift sets of different types of cheese, already packed for transportation, are sold especially for tourists.

Olives and olive oil

If one of your friends leads a healthy lifestyle, you know what you can bring him from Turkey as a gift. Compared to Italian and Greek, Turkish olive oil has a milder taste. Extra Virgin cold pressed oil is a great salad dressing. There is a variety for frying with almost no taste and aroma, but with a high smoking point.

Olive oil contains a lot of useful substances. It lowers cholesterol, strengthens blood vessels, and has a good effect on the condition of the skin and hair. The good quality oil imported from Turkey will appeal to everyone who cares about health and loves delicious food. It is convenient to take it to Russia in a plastic package. It is lightweight, does not break and is cheaper. Another good gift option is salted olives and olives, which are sold by weight. They have a richer taste and aroma than those sold in cans.

Turkish coffee

For those who love strong aromatic coffee, it is easy to bring the best gift from Turkey. In this country, coffee has been prepared since the time of the Ottoman sultans and not in the same way as in other regions. It is boiled in a copper turk, which is called a dzhezva, and is not filtered. The ground grains remain in the drink, so that it becomes thicker, stronger and more fragrant. It has more caffeine, which gives a stronger boost of energy. Roasted ground coffee and utensils for its preparation are sold in bazaars and in specialty stores.

Turkish tea

Tea first came to Turkey with the caravans of the Silk Road, and from the first half of the 20th century it began to be grown on its plantations on an industrial scale. Now strongly brewed black tea is an important part of Turkish culture. Suffice it to say that in terms of the amount of tea consumed per person, Turkey ranks first in the world, overtaking even China and the United Kingdom.

Turkish tea is grown using eco-friendly methods, which makes it more useful. But by itself, it has a faint aroma and contains almost no caffeine. Therefore, the drink is often enriched with herbal, fruit and floral additives. There is always apple, pomegranate, lime, raspberry tea in specialty stores and bazaars. Sultan tea is famous, which contains a whole bunch of spices: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom. Lemon and eucalyptus are added to it, with which tea turns into a medicinal drink for colds. This is a good present from Turkey.

What else can you bring from Turkey from drinks and food?

There are many other delicious gifts in Turkey. For example, nuts. They can be eaten just like that, added to main dishes and desserts. Tourists especially like pistachios. Nuts are sold everywhere, stored for a long time and are not difficult to transport. When you are thinking about which gifts to bring home from Turkey, you can choose them. In addition to nuts, you will definitely be pleased after returning with a thick pomegranate sauce with a sweet and sour taste. This is an excellent marinade for shish kebab and other meat. It can also be added to the finished dish.

In addition to tea and coffee, we recommend buying salep from drinks. It is made from orchid roots, hot milk and sugar. Powdered orchid roots are sold separately. Bring home a couple of packages to enjoy hot salep in autumn or winter.

Natural soap and other souvenirs for care

Do I need to bring a gift to a girl from Turkey? Local cosmetics are a win—win gift. It is made according to traditional recipes with the addition of essential oils and other natural ingredients. Cosmetic oil can be brought separately. It is used to enrich creams and masks or simply applied to the skin and hair. Argan, pomegranate and almond oil are especially in demand. It is better to look for them in a pharmacy, where there is less risk of encountering a fake.

Fragrant rose water is made in Turkey, which has been used in the East for many centuries. It is added to the bath, it is a good substitute for tonic and hair masks. The relaxing scent of the rose helps you fall asleep and can reduce migraine headaches.

What else should I bring from Turkey as a gift to a woman from cosmetics? An excellent choice is handmade soap with lavender, rose petals, aloe vera, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and various other additives. We recommend choosing products based on olive oil, it is gentle and moisturizes the skin well. The soap pieces are sold in a beautiful package, so this is a ready-made gift.

To please one of the men, bring him a Turkish lemon cologne with a refreshing aroma. It is used after shaving or as a hand sanitizer.

Handmade carpets and other textiles

You can bring goods from Turkey that will last for many years and become one of the main decorations of the house. This fully applies to Turkish carpets, which are famous for their bright colors, intricate patterns and impeccable craftsmanship. The Turkish carpet does not belong to cheap souvenirs, but the quality justifies the price. Suffice it to say that many European palaces were decorated with such carpets. You can buy a carpet at one of the bazaars, but there is a risk of buying a fake. It is better to contact the manufacturer, who also easily organizes the delivery.

If buying an expensive carpet is not included in your plans, you can bring other good textiles from Turkey as a souvenir.

• Towels, bathrobes and sauna kits. Turkish cotton towels are as famous as Egyptian or Indian ones. They are light and quick-drying, which is convenient in a sauna or on the beach. Cotton robes have the same properties. A bath towel can be purchased as part of a set that includes a glove, pumice stone, natural soap and cream.
• Silk products. Starting from the VI century, they began to make their own silk on the territory of Turkey. Now the city of Bursa is a famous center of silk production. When you arrive in Turkey, you can immediately buy a beautiful scarf or shawl from Bursa to wear in the mosque. Silk linen and home textiles can also be purchased.
• Pashmina. Soft and warm scarves and shawls are made from the down of cashmere goats. They keep you warm in winter both in Turkey and in Russia. Silk fibers are often added to them for greater shine and durability. Scarves are painted in all sorts of shades with and without patterns, everyone will find something for themselves. Since pashmina is light and thin, it is a great idea to buy something in Turkey as a gift.

Leather products

In addition to textiles, Turkey is famous for leather goods. In this industry, it ranks fourth in the world after Italy, China and India. Compared to Italian leather goods, Turkish ones are sold cheaper. If you are thinking about what you can bring useful from Turkey, pay attention to jackets, bags, belts, purses, jewelry and shoes. All these things are distinguished by good design and quality, as a rule, they are made by hand. They serve for many years, so the gift turns out to be practical. For shopping, you can go to the Grand Bazaar, where there is the largest selection. But if you are interested in not just high-quality handicrafts, but high-end fashion, it is better to go through boutiques.

Turkish ceramics

The art of Turkish ceramics originated in Anatolia more than a millennium ago and further developed in the Ottoman state over the centuries. What heights it has reached can be judged by the decor of the Blue Mosque and other architectural monuments. Iznik has become a world-famous center of ceramic production. But beautiful handmade cups, plates and vases are also created in other regions. For example, in Cappadocia.

Modern Turkish ceramics are incredibly diverse in motives and techniques. You can buy it at the Grand Bazaar or at any souvenir shop. If you often visit Turkey, you can always bring another ceramic object with you and collect a collection. If you want to buy a large set at once, it is better to contact a specialized store or production. They will provide delivery there.

Lamps made of colored glass

One of the classic souvenirs that can be brought from Turkey is a colorful mosaic lamp made by hand from bright pieces of glass. She will always attract the eye with intricate patterns. The lighting in the room where such a lamp hangs becomes just as extraordinary. The fixtures vary in size. There are very small candlesticks and table lamps, but you can also choose a chandelier for a spacious living room. Bright lights look good in the nursery and in the kitchen. They create an atmosphere of magic everywhere and become an accent, even when turned off.

Tea and coffee sets

In Turkey, it is customary to drink tea from elegant small tulip-shaped glasses. They are called armudas. Such glasses are made of ceramics, porcelain, silver, but glass and crystal armudas have become classics. They are transparent, so that the color of the drink is clearly visible in them. The tulip-shaped shape of the glasses is not accidental. In their lower part, the drink stays hot longer, cools faster in the upper part, and mixes in the narrow middle. The tea does not cool down too quickly, but it also does not stay excessively hot.

It is also better to bring a special set from Turkey for coffee. It includes a copper cup and small cups. The traditional jezve is made of forged copper, but it can be steel or silver-plated. The cups are usually copper, ceramic or porcelain. With this set, morning coffee can be turned into a beautiful ritual. It is also a good gift for colleagues with whom you can drink coffee together during breaks.

Onyx goods

Turkey is rich in deposits of various ornamental stones, especially onyx. Depending on the region, it differs in texture and color, so onyx souvenirs turn out to be different from each other. The shade can be almost white, bright green, blue, orange, brown and black, monochrome or with iridescences and wavy patterns. Various home decor items are made of stone: clocks, candlesticks, vases, pyramids, animal figures, chess and even lamps. You can buy a necklace, a bracelet and other jewelry.

If you are transporting a large piece of stone, take care of reliable packaging. Turkish onyx is quite durable, but it may not withstand careless handling of luggage at the airport.

A traditional musical instrument

Traditional oriental instruments can be found in Turkish bazaars and souvenir shops. For example, a string saz similar to a lute with a sonorous and gentle sound. It comes in two types: a larger seven—stringed instrument is called a baglama, and a smaller six-stringed instrument is called a jura. If you want something more compact, choose zurna. It is a small wooden instrument akin to the oboe. And the thin long kaval flute is probably the most ancient musical instrument in the world. It was once used by shepherds to manage their flocks. According to legend, Orpheus played the kavala.

It is not necessary to play these instruments. By their mere presence, they will make your home unusual and bring a touch of exoticism to it. But you can try to learn a new tool, there are lessons on the Internet. If no one is going to play for sure, you can buy a smaller copy of this instrument. Of all the gifts that can be brought to a tourist from Turkey in 2024, this is one of the most interesting options.

What can’t be imported from Turkey?

Antique items over 100 years old, antique coins, weapons, shells and corals cannot be exported from Turkey, unless you purchased them in a store. It is also forbidden to take fossils or remains of ancient structures with you. Since such structures were built of ordinary stone, even a simple fragment found on the beach can arouse suspicion.

Keep receipts and certificates for any expensive purchases: jewelry, carpets, or items over 50 years old. Also note that the popular apple tea and some other drinks may look like a suspicious white powder. It is better to transport them in an unopened marked box.

Now you know what you need to bring from Turkey as a gift to friends and family. To make shopping more profitable, master the art of haggling: sellers are often willing to lower prices. It is easy to find souvenirs both in Istanbul and in other cities. There are large bazaars, shopping malls and specialty stores everywhere. The best way to choose a place with a good assortment and prices is to take the advice of an experienced guide. If you book a tour on our website, you will receive good recommendations and will be satisfied with your purchases.

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