Visit the Istanbul Grand Bazar: full guide

Let yourself be grayed by the treasures of the world’s largest market with our guide to visit the Istanbul Grand Bazar!

Visiting the Istanbul Grand Bazar is discovering a world of superlatives for shopping. Here are some numbers to give you an idea. You can enter it by about 20 doors that give access to 45,000 m2 of stalls including over 3,000 shops. 2,000 people work there every day and the number of daily visitors can increase to 500,000!

This is what makes it one of the largest markets in the world and a must-see during a trip to Istanbul. Losing yourself in the many mazes is part of the experience so let yourself be carried by your instincts and stroll around to take your eyes.

And for a little needle, here is our complete guide to visit the Istanbul Grand Bazar.

The Great Bazar in a few words

The Grand Bazar is located in the walls of the old town of Istanbul. Its origin dates back to the reign of Sultan Mehmet II which built it in 1455 instead of a former market.

Then, Soliman the Magnificent enlarged it and so on with the reigns and various disasters that hit the building. The last one was a fire in 1954. The bazaar reflects the history of the city which was in turn called Byzance, Constantinople and Istanbul.

Located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, the city was the place of transit par excellence of the cargo caravans. Its architecture alone is worth a visit with several bedesten : buildings with domes, surrounded by hans and caravanserails.

For shopping, it is a real cave of Ali Baba. Tourism makes that there are many souvenir shops and bibelots of course. However, the Bazar is renowned for very beautiful pieces such as painted ceramics, carpets, jewellery as well as antiques and leather of course.

Our tips to visit the Grand Bazar

To begin with, watch the signage carefully because it is not possible to take photos all over the Grand Bazar. It would be a shame to tarnish your visit by altercation with a merchant.

But it’s an opportunity to keep your eyes wide open to enjoy it.

Inquiries

You understood it, the place is huge! The first of the tips you can give is to start by studying the site plan and make you a list of what you want to see there.

If you want to shop there, it may be interesting to find out about the most recommended shops according to the wanted goods.

Knowing to negotiate

But the most important advice is to trade! Indeed, it is a cultural practice here. The displayed prices are not final, far from there, because it is not uncommon to get away with 50% discount or more. See this as a game, it is not about aggressiveness here but rather fun.

On the other hand, it is true that it can be difficult for neophytes because negotiating a return is an art. Likewise, you will have to be patient and in good mood because, of course, all sellers will want to get you back into their clusters.

The best time

For the best time to visit the Grand Bazar, opinions differ. Some say that you have to go in the morning when there are not too many people yet and the sellers know that they have the day in front of them to realize their number. In these moments, it is quite common to see them drink tea with the neighbor of the echop next to it, perhaps even that you will also have the right there.

Others advise to go there at the end of the day when the number is done. It's up to you to see how you feel it. In any case, plan to spend several hours if you really want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and see all types of echoes.

What to see and what to do at the Grand Bazar?

The neighborhoods of the Grand Bazar

The leather district

Leather is a renowned product in Turkey. The country has been known for centuries for its manufacture. It is therefore logical to have part of the market devoted to it. Attention, however, you will have to be informed upstream and have a sharp eye because Turkish leather also suffers competition from cheap copies of Asian countries.

So let's be honest, if you want a good quality leather, you have to put the price on it.

The textile district

As with leather, textile manufacturing has been very developed in Turkey for centuries. Among the things you can bring back, there are pashminas and traditional tunics.

There is also a part dedicated to dance costumes. The shops are located on Yaglikçilar Street by going to the Örücüler door.

Again, we reiterate our advice to exercise discernment and to inform you in advance. Many pale copies from China increasingly invade the shops at the expense of traditional crafts.

Souvenir quarter

Be careful, it is in this neighborhood that you find the most pacotilles! We're going to have to do a good search to avoid kitsch memories. As in all major cities in the world, Istanbul has its lot of magnets and other goodies to its effigy. And, without surprise, souvenir shops are located around the most famous part of the bazaar, the central bedesten.

If you are looking for something that has the merit of being specific to Turkish culture, why not opt for a nazar? It is a round-shaped and blue-colored lucky amulet. You can see it at the gates of the houses and shops of the city to hunt the wrong eye.

Prices vary from single to double depending on the material used and the stalls. Otherwise, you can also bring you tea or coffee, it is another specialty of the country and the bazaar has some famous shops in this area.

The Jewelry and Jewelry Quarter

If Aladdin’s cave has always made you dream, there is a great chance that you will feel like it. Fancy jewelry, gold or silver, it shines everywhere. The specialized shops are located between the Nuruosmaniye and Mahmutpasa gates and along the street leading to the Beyazit Gate.

Some pieces are monumental so impossible to wear and out of price but they are amazing to look. Others are more accessible but quality must be ensured. But who knows, maybe you'll find the rare pearl?

The antiques and carpet district

It is not a secret, the oriental rugs are internationally renowned. And the speciality here is the kilim which recognizes itself with its geometric patterns and flat weaving instead of being tied. At the Grand Bazar, you find it with traditional motifs but some craftsmen have launched more contemporary collections to match today’s interiors.

Keep in mind that artisanal work has a price so beware of the attractive offers. Pay attention to the size and weight of the rug rolled in your luggage. Same for antiques, it’s expensive, a point that’s all.

To see around the Grand Bazar

The Grand Bazar is located right in the historic old heart of Istanbul. It is therefore surrounded by interesting buildings to visit, such as the column of Constantin, and shopping streets that arouse activities. The most unmistakable monument is the Soliman the Magnificent Mosque which dominates the city from the hill of the Golden Horn.

It is known as one of the most beautiful in the city for its exterior and interior architecture with Iznik tiles and stained glass windows. Nearby is also the Nuruosmaniye Mosque which dates from the 18th century and which was built in the Ottoman Baroque style.

A few steps from the Grand Bazar is the Egyptian market, named Misir carsisi, which is a spice market. Smaller, it is not less famous for its products that form a festival of flavors and smells.

Finally, just below the Grand Bazar, there are the most famous Turkish baths in Istanbul. It is the Cemberlitas Hamami that date back to the 16th century. They are very frequent and among the most expensive in the city. It should also be noted that there is a part reserved for women and one for men.

Guided tours to do at the Grand Bazar

For novices, visiting the Grand Bazar can be confusing especially if you want to bring back memories. As everywhere, there are good quality and others to avoid.

Booking a guided tour can therefore be a good option. The guide takes you to discover the history of this place and take you to the best shops. He also teaches you the basics of negotiation which, as we have said before, is essential in the Great Bazaar.

Several methods of visits exist. The simplest includes only the visit of the Grand Bazar with a local guide. It’s already good because you have to count on it 4 hours and minimum 30€ per person. You also have the possibility of visits combined with other monuments like Sainte-Sophie , Blue mosque and Topkapi Palace among others.

Prices climb and vary depending on the number of buildings included, of course.

Market schedules

The Grand Bazar is open 9h to 7h every day of the week except Sunday.

The best hotels to stay in the Grand Bazar district

If you want to stay nearby to visit the Grand Bazar, the best is to expand your search throughout the neighborhood of Sultanhamet which forms the old town. Because of its tourist attraction, this is where the offer is the most diverse. If your choice is about a hotel business, feel free to use a hotel Compare hotels to guarantee you a stay at the best price.

The other advantage is that the streets will be quieter than those around the Grand Bazar. Among the establishments you have known channels like Radisson Blu and Four Season.

But it is also important to note the presence of many charming hotels such as the Fer Hotel, Osmanhan and the Agora Life.

Where to eat in the Grand Bazar district?

There are not only clusters in the many alleys of the Grand Bazar. To feed all workers and visitors, cafes are installed as well as many Kebabcis. And yes, because the kebab is from Istanbul.

Among the famous cafés, there is the Divan Café in the heart of the old Bedesten. You can also find many establishments along Mahmutpasa Yokusu Avenue.

If you are looking for something more elaborate, there is in the Armaggan store on Nurusomanye Caddesi Street, a coffee at the foot of a vegetable wall. And for a wonderful view, go a little further to the rooftop of the hotel Four seasons of the Sultanhamet district.

How do I go to the Grand Bazar?

To visit the Grand Bazar, you can access it via the line tram T1 at Beyazit-Kapali Carsi. If you are in the Sultanhamet district, you can also Walk because the Grand Bazar is about 10 minutes Central.