Bookstores in Istanbul
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Istanbul, Istanbul gives you 167 to judge by. That's 167 bookshops mapped around Istanbul, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Istanbul (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Pandora Kitabevi and Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe, plus Remzi Kitabevi. If a bookshop's missing from Istanbul's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Istanbul bookstore lineup
167 mapped within about 40 km — showing the 60 closest to Istanbul, nearest first:
Pandora Kitabevi
Bookstore1.4 km from Istanbul
Pandora Kitabevi is Bookstore on 5 Valikonağı Caddesi, İstanbul. Pandora Kitabevi also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 11:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5 Valikonağı Caddesi, İstanbul, 34371
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-19:00
Phone: +90 212 245 16 67
Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe
Bookstore2.5 km from IstanbulRun by Funda Hanım
Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe is Bookstore run by Funda Hanım on Köyiçi Caddesi. Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 09:00-00:00; it has a website with more detail.
Köyiçi Caddesi
Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-00:00
Remzi Kitabevi
Bookstore2.5 km from Istanbul
Remzi Kitabevi — Bookstore.
Arkabahçe
Bookstore2.5 km from Istanbul
Arkabahçe is Bookstore.
D&R
Bookstore2.6 km from Istanbul
D&R is Bookstore.
Kırmızı Kedi Book Store
Bookstore2.6 km from Istanbul
Kırmızı Kedi Book Store is Bookstore.
Semerkant Kitabevi
Bookstore2.9 km from Istanbul
Semerkant Kitabevi is Bookstore on 5 Süslü Saksı Sokağı, İstanbul. Semerkant Kitabevi also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
5 Süslü Saksı Sokağı, İstanbul
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
Phone: +90 212 244 4701
Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe
Bookstore3.2 km from IstanbulRun by Serkan Bey
Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe is Bookstore run by Serkan Bey on 125 İstiklal Caddesi. Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-00:00; Sa 09:00-01:00; Su 09:00-23:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
125 İstiklal Caddesi, 34433
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-00:00; Sa 09:00-01:00; Su 09:00-23:00
Phone: +902122490687
Salpa Sahaf
Used bookstore3.3 km from Istanbul
Salpa Sahaf is Used bookstore on 16/A Liva. Salpa Sahaf also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 13:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
16/A Liva
Hours: Mo-Sa 13:00-20:00
Phone: +90 538 011 8339
40 Ambar
Bookstore3.3 km from Istanbul
40 Ambar is Bookstore. 40 Ambar also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as "Usually open in the afternoon".
Hours: "Usually open in the afternoon"
Aslıhan Pasajı
Bookstore3.3 km from Istanbul
Aslıhan Pasajı is Bookstore.
İnsan Kitap
Bookstore3.3 km from Istanbul
İnsan Kitap is Bookstore on 96 İstiklal Caddesi. İnsan Kitap also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as PH,Mo-Su 09:00-22:00.
96 İstiklal Caddesi
Hours: PH,Mo-Su 09:00-22:00
Yapı Kredi Yayınları
Bookstore3.4 km from Istanbul
Yapı Kredi Yayınları is Bookstore on 161 İstiklal Caddesi, İstanbul.
161 İstiklal Caddesi, İstanbul, 34433
Efy Kitabevi
Bookstore3.4 km from Istanbul
Efy Kitabevi — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Efy Kitabevi: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-17:00.
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
encore
Bookstore3.4 km from Istanbul
encore is Bookstore.
Küy Kitabevi
Bookstore3.5 km from Istanbul
Küy Kitabevi is Bookstore.
Remzi Kitapevi
Bookstore3.6 km from Istanbul
Remzi Kitapevi — Bookstore.
Полторы комнаты
Bookstore3.6 km from Istanbul
Полторы комнаты is Bookstore on 5 Çukurcuma Caddesi. Полторы комнаты also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 11:00-20:00.
5 Çukurcuma Caddesi
Hours: 11:00-20:00
Robinson Crusoe Kitabevi
Bookstore3.6 km from Istanbul
Robinson Crusoe Kitabevi — Bookstore on 173a İstiklal Caddesi. Also worth knowing about Robinson Crusoe Kitabevi: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
173a İstiklal Caddesi
Phone: +90 212 293 69 68
Denizer Kitabevi
Bookstore3.6 km from Istanbul
Denizer Kitabevi is Bookstore.
Denlizler Kitabevi
Bookstore3.6 km from Istanbul
Denlizler Kitabevi is Bookstore on 173b İstiklal Caddesi. Denlizler Kitabevi also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
173b İstiklal Caddesi
Ada Cafe + Bookstore
Bookstore3.7 km from Istanbul
Ada Cafe + Bookstore is Bookstore on 158A İstiklal Caddesi. Ada Cafe + Bookstore also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
158A İstiklal Caddesi
Инстаграмный магаз
Bookstore3.8 km from Istanbul
Инстаграмный магаз is Bookstore on 99 Evliya Çelebi. Инстаграмный магаз also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Su-Sa 08:00-00:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
99 Evliya Çelebi, 34430
Hours: Su-Sa 08:00-00:00
Phone: +902128920858
Kitabı Mukaddes Cemiyeti
Bookstore3.8 km from Istanbul
Kitabı Mukaddes Cemiyeti is Bookstore.
Türk Alman Kitabevi
Bookstore3.8 km from IstanbulRun by Josef Mühlbauer
Run by Josef Mühlbauer, Türk Alman Kitabevi is Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Türk Alman Kitabevi: it has a website with more detail.
Eren Kitabevi
Bookstore3.9 km from Istanbul
Eren Kitabevi is Bookstore on 24 Sofyalı Sokağı, İstanbul. Eren Kitabevi also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
24 Sofyalı Sokağı, İstanbul, 34430
Phone: +90 212 251 28 58
Kırmızıkedi Book Store
Bookstore3.9 km from Istanbul
Kırmızıkedi Book Store — Bookstore on 2B Tünel Meydanı Sokağı. Also worth knowing about Kırmızıkedi Book Store: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2B Tünel Meydanı Sokağı
Phone: +902122457000
İstanbul Kitapçısı Book/Gift
Bookstore3.9 km from Istanbul
İstanbul Kitapçısı Book/Gift is Bookstore on 3 Tünel Meydanı Sokağı. İstanbul Kitapçısı Book/Gift also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 10:00-20:00.
3 Tünel Meydanı Sokağı
Hours: 10:00-20:00
İstanbul Kitapçısı
Bookstore3.9 km from IstanbulRun by İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Run by İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi, İstanbul Kitapçısı is Bookstore, found on 4/4 Kazım Karabekir Caddesi in İstanbul. Also worth knowing about İstanbul Kitapçısı: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-20:00.
4/4 Kazım Karabekir Caddesi, İstanbul
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-20:00
D&R
Bookstore4.0 km from Istanbul
D&R is Bookstore.
451 Fahrenheit recycling store
Bookstore4.1 km from Istanbul
451 Fahrenheit recycling store — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about 451 Fahrenheit recycling store: it has a website with more detail.
Robinson Crusoe 389
Bookstore4.4 km from Istanbul
Robinson Crusoe 389 — Bookstore on Bankalar Caddesi.
Bankalar Caddesi
Nail Kitabevi Kafe
Bookstore4.6 km from Istanbul
Nail Kitabevi Kafe is Bookstore on 32 İcadiye Caddesi, İstanbul. Nail Kitabevi Kafe also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 09:00-19:00.
32 İcadiye Caddesi, İstanbul, 34674
Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-19:00
İstanbul Kitapçısı
Bookstore4.6 km from Istanbul
İstanbul Kitapçısı — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about İstanbul Kitapçısı: the map lists its hours as 09:00-21:00.
Hours: 09:00-21:00
Tekin Yayınevi
Bookstore4.8 km from Istanbul
Tekin Yayınevi is Bookstore.
İşler Kitabevi
Bookstore4.9 km from Istanbul
İşler Kitabevi is Bookstore.
Geylani Kitabevi
Bookstore4.9 km from Istanbul
Geylani Kitabevi is Bookstore.
Eyüp Sultan Kitabevi
Bookstore4.9 km from Istanbul
Eyüp Sultan Kitabevi — Bookstore.
Esma Kitabevi
Bookstore5.0 km from Istanbul
Esma Kitabevi is Bookstore.
İstanbul Kitapçısı
Bookstore5.1 km from Istanbul
İstanbul Kitapçısı — Bookstore.
Özcen Kırtasiye
Bookstore5.3 km from Istanbul
Özcen Kırtasiye is Bookstore on Sultan Çeşmesi Caddesi, İstanbul.
Sultan Çeşmesi Caddesi, İstanbul
Kitapçılık
Bookstore5.6 km from Istanbul
Kitapçılık — Bookstore, found on Çakaloğlu ykş in İstanbul.
Çakaloğlu ykş, İstanbul
İstanbul maarif kitaphanesi
Bookstore5.6 km from Istanbul
İstanbul maarif kitaphanesi — Bookstore, found on Çakaloğlu ykş in İstanbul.
Çakaloğlu ykş, İstanbul
Kitap satış merkezi
Bookstore5.6 km from Istanbul
Kitap satış merkezi — Bookstore, found on Şifahane Caddesi in İstanbul.
Şifahane Caddesi, İstanbul, 34134
Tekin yayınevi
Bookstore5.6 km from Istanbul
Tekin yayınevi — Bookstore, found on Ankara Caddesi in İstanbul.
Ankara Caddesi, İstanbul
D&R
Bookstore5.7 km from Istanbul
D&R is Bookstore.
Geçit Kitabevi
Bookstore5.7 km from Istanbul
Geçit Kitabevi — Bookstore, found on Ankara Caddesi in İstanbul.
Ankara Caddesi, İstanbul
Scala Yayıncılık
Bookstore5.8 km from Istanbul
Scala Yayıncılık is Bookstore. Scala Yayıncılık also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
مكتبة الشبكة العربية
Bookstore5.8 km from Istanbul
مكتبة الشبكة العربية — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about مكتبة الشبكة العربية: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 10:00-10:00.
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-10:00
TKP
Bookstore5.8 km from Istanbul
TKP is Bookstore on Hırka-i Şerif Caddesi, İstanbul.
Hırka-i Şerif Caddesi, İstanbul
İz Yayıncılık
Bookstore5.9 km from IstanbulRun by İz Yayıncılık
Run by İz Yayıncılık, İz Yayıncılık is Bookstore, found on 4A Şengül Hamamı Sokağı in İstanbul. Also worth knowing about İz Yayıncılık: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
4A Şengül Hamamı Sokağı, İstanbul, 34110
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Phone: +90 212 520 7210
Timas
Bookstore5.9 km from Istanbul
Timas is Bookstore.
Mafilale
Bookstore5.9 km from Istanbul
Mafilale is Bookstore on Muhsir Sokağı, İstanbul.
Muhsir Sokağı, İstanbul
TDV Kitabevi
Bookstore5.9 km from IstanbulRun by Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı
Run by Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı, TDV Kitabevi is Bookstore.
Mektep yayinlari
Bookstore5.9 km from Istanbul
Mektep yayinlari — Bookstore, found on Kınalızade Sokağı in İstanbul.
Kınalızade Sokağı, İstanbul
Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı Yayınevi
Bookstore5.9 km from Istanbul
Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı Yayınevi is Bookstore.
Everest Yayınları
Bookstore6.0 km from Istanbul
Everest Yayınları — Bookstore on 53 Ticarethane Sokak. Also worth knowing about Everest Yayınları: it has a website with more detail.
53 Ticarethane Sokak
Sahaflar Çarşısı
Bookstore6.0 km from Istanbul
Sahaflar Çarşısı — Bookstore, found on Çadircilar Caddesi in İstanbul.
Çadircilar Caddesi, İstanbul
İrşad Kitabevi
Bookstore6.0 km from Istanbul
İrşad Kitabevi — Bookstore, found on Feyzullah Efendi Sokağı in İstanbul. Also worth knowing about İrşad Kitabevi: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Feyzullah Efendi Sokağı, İstanbul, 34080
Phone: +90 850 480 4773
Pamuk Yayıncılık
Bookstore6.1 km from Istanbul
Pamuk Yayıncılık is Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Istanbul
26 of the 167 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
31 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on Çakaloğlu ykş, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
2 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The Istanbul bookstore crawl
Making a day of it in Istanbul? Work this order: Pandora Kitabevi on 5 Valikonağı Caddesi, Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe on Köyiçi Caddesi, Remzi Kitabevi, Arkabahçe, D&R, Kırmızı Kedi Book Store, Semerkant Kitabevi on 5 Süslü Saksı Sokağı, and Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe on 125 İstiklal Caddesi. That's the bookstore crawl in one sensible loop, no backtracking. 159 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Istanbul
A few things worth knowing before you work through Istanbul's bookstores:
- Come back seasonally at Pandora Kitabevi. Stock turns over with the publishing seasons. The shop you browsed in spring is a different shop by autumn.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere at Mephisto Kitabevi & Cafe. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
- Magazines and journals matter. The little-magazine rack is where new writers appear first. Cheap, weird, and full of discoveries.
- Check the staff picks shelf first. It's the fastest read of a shop's personality. If the picks excite you, the rest of the store will too.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Istanbul — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Istanbul can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 167, or a bookstore we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 167 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Istanbul: 167 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.