The Grand Bazaar
One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world - a labyrinth of thousands of shops in Istanbul selling carpets, lamps, gold and spices, a feast for the senses.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, a labyrinth of some four thousand shops along sixty vaulted lanes in the heart of old Istanbul, trading since the fifteenth century. A dazzling, dizzying feast for the senses, its stalls glitter with carpets, lanterns, gold, ceramics, leather and spices, and haggling over glasses of tea is all part of the ancient ritual.
What you actually see
- The vaulted lanes - the maze of painted, arched market streets.
- The carpets and lamps - the stalls of kilims, ceramics and glowing lanterns.
- The gold and jewellery - the glittering jewellers' quarter.
- The nearby Spice Bazaar - the fragrant market of spices and delight.
When to go
Year-round; a covered market, so good in any weather, though it closes on Sundays and holidays. Go in the morning before it fills, and combine it with the nearby Spice Bazaar for the food and spice side.
Honest expectations
It is a maze where getting lost is part of the fun, but the touting can be relentless and prices inflated for tourists, so haggle hard and expect the hard sell. It closes on Sundays. It is more shopping spectacle than food market, though the nearby Spice Bazaar covers the edible side.
Nearby
The Spice Bazaar, the Suleymaniye Mosque and the old city sights are a walk away.
What to pack for The Grand Bazaar
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
