The Grand Bazaar

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.

Highlights

• 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.

What to expect

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.

Key facts