Turkey offers a rich variety of unique and culturally significant gifts for tourists to purchase, ranging from traditional handicrafts to delicious culinary delights. Here are some popular gifts to buy in Turkey:
1. Turkish Carpets and Kilims: Handwoven carpets and kilims (flat-woven rugs) are among Turkey's most famous exports. They come in a variety of designs, colors, and sizes, making them a timeless and luxurious souvenir.
2. Turkish Delight (Lokum): This traditional sweet treat, made from sugar, starch, and flavorings such as rosewater, pistachio, or lemon, is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It's available in beautifully decorated boxes and makes for a delightful gift.
3. Turkish Tea and Coffee: Turkey is known for its rich coffee culture, and Turkish coffee sets or freshly ground Turkish coffee make excellent gifts for coffee enthusiasts. Turkish tea sets, complete with tulip-shaped glasses and a samovar, are also popular souvenirs.
4. Hand-painted Ceramics: Turkey is famous for its vibrant and intricately decorated ceramics, including plates, bowls, tiles, and decorative objects. Look for pieces featuring traditional Ottoman motifs or modern designs inspired by Turkish culture.
5. Evil Eye Talismans (Nazar Boncuk): The evil eye is a widely believed superstition in Turkey, and nazar boncuk, or evil eye talismans, are used to ward off negative energy and protect against the evil eye. These colorful glass beads can be found in various forms, including jewelry, keychains, and home decor.
6. Spices and Turkish Delicacies: Turkey is renowned for its flavorful spices, such as sumac, za'atar, and Turkish saffron, which can be purchased in local spice markets (bazaars) or specialty shops. Other culinary delights to consider include Turkish delight, dried fruits, nuts, and traditional sweets like baklava.
7. Copperware and Brassware: Turkish artisans are skilled in the art of metalworking, and copperware and brassware items such as trays, pots, and lanterns are popular souvenirs. Look for hand-hammered pieces adorned with intricate designs.
8. Ottoman-style Jewelry: Turkey has a rich history of jewelry-making, and Ottoman-style jewelry featuring filigree work, semi-precious stones, and traditional motifs like the tulip and the evil eye make for elegant and timeless gifts.
9. Natural Beauty Products: Turkey is home to a variety of natural beauty products, including olive oil soap, argan oil, and traditional hammam (Turkish bath) products like kese (exfoliating mitts) and peshtemal (traditional towels).
10. Calligraphy Art: Calligraphy holds a special place in Turkish culture, and beautifully crafted pieces featuring Arabic or Ottoman Turkish calligraphy make for meaningful and decorative gifts.
These are just a few examples of the many unique gifts that tourists can buy in Turkey, each reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.