The eastern fairy tale, inconceivable without a bazaar full of noise, laughter, bright colorful goods, aromas of oriental spices and unforgettable emotions, came to life and settled in the center of Istanbul, in the Sultanahmet area, about a kilometer from Aya Sophia and the Blue Mosque. This is the famous Grand Bazaar, a real eastern market, a huge square that stretches out over many blocks of the city, covered with arches, roofs, etc. The whole building dates back to the year 1461.
Inside one of the world's largest markets there are 61 streets, 4400 shops, 2195 ateliers, 18 fountains, 12 mosques, 12 warehouses, one school, one sauna, several cafes and currency exchange offices.
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world, which has long been the most popular attraction of old Istanbul. Inside the market there are 61 streets, 4400 shops, 2195 ateliers, 18 fountains, 12 mosques, 12 warehouses, one school, one bath, several cafes and currency exchange offices. Every day Kapaly Charshi (as the Turks call the Grand Bazaar) visits over half a million visitors.
The Grand Bazaar has several main gates. Each gate has its own names - Beyazid, Feschiler, Sahaflar, Kyurkchuler, Nuruosmaniye, Mahmutpasha, Merjan, Tadirdzhiler and Orudzhuler. In order not to get lost, be sure to remember what you entered.
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
What is not present in the labyrinths of the Grand Bazaar - ceramics, gold, silver, jewelry, shawls, scarves, amulets, carpets, kilims and much more . It's just necessary to bargain, because the original price can be overstated two times . It's exactly a feast for the eyes, but mourning for the purse: soap and beads, bronze and glass, rolls of fabrics, tons of copper, cheap allegedly branded things and the fragrant Spice Market . From the purchases here just can not resist . In general, if you want feel the atmosphere of the eastern bazaar and get fed up with tourist shopping at the same time, then you here .
However, even if the purchases are not included in your plans, you should visit the Grand Bazaar. Take a walk through the ancient streets and immerse yourself in a special oriental atmosphere. The thick stone walls of the Grand Bazaar reliably protect both from the scorching sun, and from the piercing wind. So the walk promises to be enjoyable at any time of the year. And the Grand Bazaar is open every day except Sunday and religious holidays from 8:30 to 19:00
How to get there
Grand Bazaar is located in Beyazit Square, in the center of Istanbul, which can be reached by high-speed tram. You leave at the stop "Grand Bazar - Kapaly Charshi"
Address: Beyazit, İstanbul
Reviews of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (8)
Evaluation 10
How to get there August 25, 2014
Yana
was here in August 2014
Can you please tell us how to get to the Grand Bazaar from Otogar Essener stop (by metro)?
Evaluation 3
grand bazaar .... August 23, 2014
tina
was here in August 2014
Grand Bazaar. .. yes it's worth to visit, be like, feel the old days, see everything and of course try the lokum .... but no more, everything is very expensive, next to the gate all the same ha order is cheaper .... when was the first time only everything and bought in the bazaar, but alas the gold items bought were not gold, but the judge is their god, everyone earns as much as they can.
Evaluation 10
Bazaar, where you can and need to bargain February 11, 2014
Eugene
was here in May 2013
I was in many cities of Turkey and in markets including. But with the Grand Bazaar, of course, they will not equal. He is the oldest and largest of them. But there it is necessary to bargain, because many sellers overstate prices and are not eager to make a discount. There after all basically there are tourists from Europe, and they do not bargain absolutely, how much I have noticed. And the prices even for small souvenirs everywhere are different. And it's amazing, because this market should be a single whole. Bags I did not like at all, budget ... Read full review
Evaluation 10
Awesome Turkish market where there is all February 10, 2014
Maria
was here in June 2013
I love Istanbul, and now when our city has made a direct flight, I will go there even more often. I have already studied the Grand Bazaar quite well. The Turks call it Kapala Charshi. So, when I got there for the first time, I really got lost. But now I already own Turkish enough, because it's very light and if I can ask where the output is. I really like one mosque inside the Bazaar, there's not even Muslims come to admire this building. Also very nice after shopping ... Read full review
Evaluation 10
Beautiful Oriental Market 03 February 2014
Julia
was here in April 2013
I have long dreamed of seeing a real oriental market, as described in the Arabian tale. I traveled to Istanbul only two days. And besides the palace Topkape wanted to see the Grand Bazaar. In this city I was the first time. but it was not difficult for me to find this market. It turned out that he has several entrances and entering one of them you can go out on another street. Even the entrance itself looks very majestic and oriental. I really wanted to see and buy everything that is possible there. The entrance itself sells gold, ... Read full review
Evaluation 10
City inside Istanbul January 30, 2014
Natalia
was here in April 2013
I could not even answer the question what is in the Grand Bazaar. Yes, this is not possible to answer. So when I was in Istanbul I went there almost every day and never went out at least without one purchase. This market can be called a separate city, hidden inside Istanbul. There you can live, eat, pray, buy. After all, all conditions for this have been created. In the Grand Bazaar there are several hundred shops and shops where you can buy everything from souvenirs to friends and ending with gold and products ... Read the entire review
Evaluation 10
Any product for your price December 17 2013
Evgeniya
was here in December 2012
After living in Istanbul for 3 weeks and getting home, we thought about gifts to our homeland. Of course, we decided to walk this way and went to Kapaly Charshi. Because if you do not find there what you are looking for, then this does not exist at all! Because it's a whole city! The whole fortress! These are not just trading lines, they are real streets filled with a huge number of people and goods. Therefore, it is necessary, first of all, to stick together, to find each other in this labyrinth is extremely difficult. We checked. Sell everything. From ... Read full review
Evaluation 10
The whole eastern color of Turkey only here November 25, 2013
Juliett_K
was here in December 2012
The most ancient Turkish bazaar. Here you can buy everything that your soul will like. Starting from small souvenirs and finishing with magnificent ornaments of gold and silver.
To be honest, I did not quite understand how I went there (it was from Beyazit Square). As there are still a dozen shopping streets around the most covered bazaar. While wandering through them, she reached the bazaar as well.
The bazaar itself is simply huge. This can be given all day. I want to see everything and buy everything. But the prices there are high. The location is focused on ... Read full review