Abdi Ipekçi Street, Istanbul

Visitors might associate the Grand Bazaar with Turkey, but locals take great pride in Abdi Ipekçi Street, which has the highest retail rent in the country and carries brands like Louis Vuitton (nos. 6–8), Prada (no. 34) and Cartier (no. 20). The two luxury department stores on Abdi Ipekçi, Vakko (no. 31) and Beymen (no. 23), also hold their own. Vakko features designer collaborations (such as Zac Posen’s capsule collection in 2006) and an array of propriety offerings like chocolate, perfume and wedding gowns, plus an ample home collection. Beymen swings youthful with a vibrant mix, including Sandro, Tara Jarmon, Stella McCartney, See by Chloé and Michael Kors. Cafés, hotels and restaurants dot the street, which shines on New Year’s Eve when ornate lights recall the flash of the filigreed jewelry found in shops like Armaggan (no. 8).