If you haven’t visited the traditional markets in Istanbul, it’s as if you haven’t been to this country at all. There, you can experience the exoticism of the Middle East, browse unique goods, and taste local specialties. Head to the best markets in Istanbul—the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. In this article, we will introduce them to you and provide tips on what you can find there and how to shop.
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (Kapalı Çarşı)
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It was founded between 1455 and 1461 during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II and consists of at least 58 covered passages with more than 1,200 shops.
The market spans an area of 45 hectares, includes 12 main buildings with 22 gates, and employs approximately 20,000 people. It is visited by about 250,000 to 400,000 tourists each day.
What You Can Find at the Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is a labyrinth where you can find stalls with:
- Jewelry: A wide selection of gold and silver jewelry, gemstones, and pearls.
- Textiles: Various types of textiles, including traditional Turkish carpets and handwoven fabrics.
- Ceramics: Hand-painted plates, bowls, and other ceramic products.
- Clothing and fashion accessories: Slippers, scarves, hats, and bags.
- Antiques and souvenirs: Traditional Turkish lamps, mosaic lamps, musical instruments, and much more.
Besides the stalls with these goods, you will also come across numerous restaurants and cafes where you can relax and refresh yourself.
The Most Interesting Spots in the Grand Bazaar
Given the size of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, it’s impossible to see everything. You can wander the market without a specific goal, but there are places you definitely should not miss:
- Kalpakçılarbaşı—the most significant street for jewelers and goldsmiths.
- Takkeciler—a street with shops selling traditional ceramics.
- İç Bedesten—the oldest part of the market, filled with antiques.
- Kuyumcular Çarşısı—the section of the market with jewelry shops.
Spice Bazaar in Istanbul (Mısır Çarşısı)
The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, is the second-largest covered market in Istanbul and the largest spice market in the world. Like the Grand Bazaar, it was built to economically support Istanbul’s mosques. While the Grand Bazaar supported the Hagia Sophia, the Spice Bazaar supported the New Mosque.
Why the name Egyptian Bazaar? The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul got its name for a simple reason—most of the spices, goods, and sellers were originally from Egypt.
What You Can Find at the Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar contains roughly 85 shops with:
- Spices: Saffron, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and more.
- Dried Fruits and Nuts: Dates, figs, almonds, pistachios, and more.
- Sweets: Turkish delight, baklava, and other traditional Turkish sweets.
- Herbs and Medicinal Plants: Herbs, Turkish teas, and natural remedies.
How to Shop at Markets in Istanbul?
Remember, bargaining is an integral part of shopping at Istanbul’s markets. The price that sellers are willing to accept can vary significantly depending on the time of day. When shopping, let the seller offer a price first, and then start bargaining—you can aim to get a discount of 35 to 50% off the initial offer.
If you visit the markets in Istanbul, don’t worry about getting lost—you certainly won’t be the only one. In fact, you might even discover more interesting stalls than those from our tips. However, we definitely recommend visiting on a weekday. On Saturdays, the locals come to shop, and you might not get a chance to bargain at all.
