I knew what to expect when I was going to this shopping district, but I was just not in thr mood…read morefor the haggling. I wanted to walk around and check out the stuff maybe get something to eat and purchase 2 t-shirts. lol. However, that plan ended quickly. Window shopping in peace is not an option. Don't get me wrong. the locals are very sweet and everyone wants you to stop by their shop. Each section sells similar to the same products. I stopped to get my two shirts and the bidding started at $40 for two t-shirts. I just smiled said no thank you and left. lol. I absolutely could've stayed and played the back and forth haggling but I wasn't interested. I walked around got lost trying to get back to the tram because this place was huge. They sell just about any and everything. All I can say is I went and don't have to go back. lol.

I don't get how there's less than stellar reviews about this place. What are the complaints? It's…read moreloud? Crowded? Yes, all those things, but it's a historical landmark/tourist trap/marketplace; it's like if Macy's was half a millennium (and counting!) old. I obviously looked/dressed/acted like a tourist so I knew I was definitely getting the tourist upcharge. However, there's 0 reason you can't do as the locals do and haggle. The larger stalls have seating, sit there, enjoy the tea but don't be afraid to say thank you and leave. There's plenty of other merchants that sell similar items. Speaking of, the lokrum here was somehow the best I had in Istanbul; believe me, I was hoping that it wouldn't be the case but it was.

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!!!…read more This is the worst experience ever at a Sephora Store! I´ve visited several stores in different countries and the one that I visited at Turkey near Taksim is the worst experience ever!!!!! Lousy personnel, bad maintenance and order of products. Cubicles of Sephora brushes (most of them) broken, not working, out of stock or mixed. The pencil eye liners broken and not organized. The pressed powder foundation area THE WORST!!!!!! No indication of the type of color or skin tone any of the testers is aproaching. Opened up cases, mixed columns with different tones... Nars area also out of stock. Personnel, dirty, not attentive and when asked about something doesn´t pay attention to you. When finally the girl payed attention and I asked her about something, she suggested me something else (another brand instead of Sephora compact foundation). When I asked her about that product again and pointed the area without checking correctly suggested a tone that was over my skin tone!!!! I told her it was darker than my skin (face, neck or chest), she said that was the correct one. ¡HORRIBLE! Try a Sephora of some other place...

I've been to many Sephora stores in Europe and always shop here for my lipsticks if I can…read more I visited the Istanbul shop a couple of weeks ago and received the rudest service ever encountered in a store. While waiting to pay (two cash desks, one queue), people behind me where asked to come forward to make their payment ahead of me because they had been assisted by a member of staff. Only after complaining and dumping my shopping on the counter, did I get a feeble apology and begrudgingly my payment taken, but still surly service. The staff in here area n absolute disgrace.