Best Water Brands in Turkey: The 2026 Guide to pH, Prices & Safety

Turn on the tap in Turkey and you use that water for cleaning floors or boiling tea but never for drinking directly. That is the first lesson every expat and tourist learns upon arrival. The second lesson? Not all bottled water is created equal. Between the budget-friendly discounter bottles and the premium brands, the difference in late 2025 isn’t just about taste it’s about massive price gaps and vital health metrics.

Forget the old travel guides that talk about buying water for pennies. Turkey’s economic inflation has not spared this absolute necessity. As someone who lives here and navigates the “Damacana Economy” (those massive 19-liter jugs) daily, I’m going to walk you through exactly what to look for from pH values to the hidden deposit traps.

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The Market Leaders: What’s Actually in the Bottle

The Turkish water market is vast, but let’s be honest: a handful of brands dominate the shelves. Here is my curated list based on taste, availability, and the hard data on the label.

1. Erikli: The Standard Bearer

Erikli is the “Kleenex” of water in Turkeythe brand name is practically synonymous with bottled water. Sourced from the Uludağ Mountain near Bursa, it offers a very soft, neutral taste. However, it is also the most expensive mainstream option. While many locals are switching to cheaper alternatives due to rising costs, Erikli remains the gold standard in restaurants and hotels.

2. Saka & Buzdağı: The Health Favorites

If you actually read the back of the bottle (and you should!), these two often come out on top. Saka Su frequently tops quality rankings due to its high pH value (making it alkaline).

Buzdağı is my personal “hidden gem” for the health conscious. With a pH value of 7.1 and excellent mineral content (approx. 120 mg/L), it technically offers more benefits than many expensive lifestyle brands. Its calcium content (17.3 mg/L) is particularly impressive.

3. Hayat Su: The Sustainability Pioneer

Owned by Danone, Hayat has a specific taste profile that you either love or hate. But here is the connector to the bigger picture: they are aggressively pushing recycling. Their goal to use 50% recycled PET (rPET) in all bottles by the end of 2025 is a crucial signal in Turkey’s plastic heavy retail landscape.

4. Fuska: Not Just for Babies

Parents, take note: Fuska is often the first choice for infant formula. Why? It has a very low sodium content and a pH value of 7.5. They even sell specialized 200ml bottles designed for children’s hands. If you are sensitive to sodium or salty tasting water, this is your brand.

Price Check: The Checkout Reality (Late 2025)

This is where most tourists get shocked. Prices vary wildly depending on where you buy. The kiosk next to the Blue Mosque will happily charge you triple the supermarket price.

Here are the verified average prices from major supermarkets (like Migros, A101, or BIM):

Practitioner Tip: Never buy single bottles at a kiosk if you can avoid it. Walk into a discounter (BIM, A101, Şok) and grab a 5-liter jug of their house brand (like Assu or Kardelen). The quality difference rarely justifies the 100% markup of the premium brands.

The “Damacana” System: Living Like a Local

If you are staying longer than a week or renting an Airbnb, you cannot avoid the 19-Liter Damacana. Nobody here hauls crates of 1.5-liter bottles home. You order via an app, and 20 minutes later, a heavy blue jug appears at your door.

But be warned, the prices for these bulk deliveries have exploded:

• The Refill (Exchange): A refill of Erikli now costs between 164 and 175 TL. Cheaper brands like Hayat hover around 144-160 TL. Local municipal brands (like Hamidiye in Istanbul) are the cheapest at approx. 120 TL.
• The Deposit Trap (Depozito): If you don’t have an empty bottle to swap, you will pay dearly for your first order. Including the deposit and the pump, the initial setup often costs 330 to 375 TL.

Most locals use apps for these orders. Since you need a local connection to use them effectively, make sure you check our guide on Vodafone Turkey prepaid SIMs to get connected instantly.

Maden Suyu: The Mineral Water Phenomenon

A common misunderstanding: Standard water (Su) in Turkey is always still. If you want sparkling water, you must order “Maden Suyu” (Mineral Water) or “Soda.” But careful: This is usually naturally carbonated and salty, not just tap water with added CO2.

Beypazarı vs. Kızılay

This is the eternal debate in Turkey.
Beypazarı is famous for its extremely high mineral content (over 1000 mg/L) and is considered excellent for digestion. Current analyses show massive levels of Calcium (over 205 mg/L) and Magnesium.
Kızılay (owned by the Red Crescent) is milder, and the proceeds support social projects. A 6-pack of Kızılay (200ml) currently costs about 41.50 to 44.00 TL in supermarkets.

Verdict: Which Water Should I Buy?

• For Taste & Prestige: Erikli (expensive but reliable).
• For Health (pH & Minerals): Buzdağı or Saka.
• For Babies: Fuska.
• For the Wallet: Supermarket house brands from A101/BIM/Migros (often bottled by big brands under a different label).