8 specialty bookstores in Istanbul

Thanks to their variety, there is always a chance to find the book you’re seeking at Istanbul’s bookstores.

The trick? Know where to look.

Check out these eight bookstores, each specializing in a different field.

Homer Books

Looking for a book on archeology or history? Homer is your best bet. Found in 1995, this bookstore in Galatasaray also has a wide collection of photography, philosophy and children’s books.

Arkabahçe

This geek heaven has hundreds of local and international graphic novels and manga books. It’s the right place to find new releases or alternative comics publishers including Drawn & Quarterly and Fantagraphics.

Greenhouse

The largest English language bookstore on the Asian side has 70.000 books in stock. They import directly from UK, which means you can get a book for its cover price (or sometimes even for less).

Denizler Kitabevi

Specializing in nautical and antique books, this iconic bookstore on İstiklal Caddesi sells old maps and engravings as well. Its charming atmosphere makes one feel like travelling back in time.

Pages

Opened by Syrian couple Samer al-Kadri and Gulnar Hajo, who migrated to Istanbul from Damascus, Pages is the first Arabic bookstore in the city. They also have books in English and Turkish, for 20 liras a month you can borrow as many as you like.

Magnolia Culture

You can find the perfect coffee table book at Magnolia Culture, where Taschen and Rizzoli publications on fashion, design, art, architecture and gastronomy fill the shelves.

Türk Alman Kitabevi

Since 1955, Türk Alman Kitabevi sells German books on various disciplines including translated works of Turkish authors. Don’t know German? You can still enjoy this bookstore, just grab one of the books in English and head upstairs to read and chill.

Fil Books

Grab a cup of coffee at this cozy spot in Karaköy and browse books on photography theory, history and criticism. Owner Cemre Yeşil is a photographer and collected most of the books herself.

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Homer Books: Yeni Çarşı Cad. No: 52 Galatasaray – (0212) 266 2708

Arkabahçe: Sinanpaşa Mah. Ortabahçe Cad. No: 10/1 Büyük Beşiktaş Çarşısı 1. Kat Dükkan No: 159 Beşiktaş – (0212) 327 4613

Greenhouse: Hilmi Paşa Cad. No: 21/B Kozyatağı – (0216) 449 3034

Denizler Kitabevi: İstiklal Cad. No: 199/A Beyoğlu – (0212) 249 8893

Pages: Ayvansaray Mah. Kariye Çıkmazı No: 5 Fatih – (0212) 531 0185

Magnolia Culture: Hüsrev Gerede Cad. No: 94 Teşvikiye – (0212) 227 6923

Türk Alman Kitabevi: İstiklal Cad. No: 237 Beyoğlu – (0212) 252 6480

Fil Books: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mah. Ali Paşa Değirmeni Sok. No: 1/1 Beyoğlu – (0212) 243 1994