The largest and oldest covered markets in the world Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarşı), 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops which attract between 350,000 and 600,000 visitors daily‘ should be any dedicated shopper’s first port of call in Istanbul. Crammed in among chaotic covered streets and alleys, its thousands of stalls hold all manner of items, such as carpets and kilims, leather, suede and denim clothes and accessories, ceramic tiles, bowls and vases, hand-beaten copper and brass lamps, coffee-grinders and samovars, gold and silver jewellery (beware imitations) and much more.
Much of the current prosperity comes from gold (of which nearly 100 tons is sold in the Grand Bazaar each year), coachloads of ‘black bag’ shoppers.(so called because of their habit of filling bin sacks with cheap clothing) and tourism. But, among t he sea of mantlepiece trinkets, nasty leather jackets, no-label jeans and hippie-wear, there • ire attractive quality goods to be had. To take time out I rom the constant hard sell, head for the Şark Kahvesi, a fine old-style coffee house on the prominent Yağlıkçılar Caddesi.
A paradise for some, the crowds and hawkers, and indeed the sheer size of the bazaar, can render the experience quite nightmarish for others. As a result, some shoppers prefer the smaller Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) in Eminönü. As well as offering the typical souvenirs found in its larger cousin, the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) also sells vast quantities of herbs and spices, as well as delicious candies and mixed nuts. It’s also a good place to buy a nargile (water pipe) and accompanying fruit-flavoured molasses.
Although the shops are now mainly geared towards tourists, the Grand Bazaar still retains a great deal of its oriental flavour in the blackened corners and arched courtyards of its bans (merchants’ inns), as well as in the workshops and stalls of traditional blacksmiths and bronzesmiths, jewellers and fabric merchants, miniature painters and antiques dealers.
Istanbul was always one of the world’s most important trading centres, with extensive open markets in Byzantine times. The Ottomans ushered in a new economic era, with the city at the) centre of an empire that stretched from the Arabian deserts almost to the European Alps. In 1461 Mehmet the Conqueror ordered the construction of a bedesten, a great lock-up with thick stone walls, massive iron gates and space for several dozen shops. This survives in modified form as the Old Bedesten (If Bedesten), at the very heart of the bazaar. It remains a place where the most precious items are sold, including the best old silver and antiques. The Sandal Bedesten was added later, named after a fine Bursan silk and filled with textile traders. It now hosts a carpet auction at 1pm every Wednesday, well worth attending as an audience spectacle.
It is as easy to lose track of time in this covered labyrinth as it is to lose oneself in its hectic, meandering alleyways. Don’t be afraid to put the map away here, as part of the fun is getting lost, although making your way through the crowds amid the persistent cajoling of shopkeepers can certainly take its toll.
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Incredible. Go early to avoid crowds. So much it is hard to focus on one area.
A grand bazaar where you would find everything under one roof. Its a good walk around and. Ery crowded all the time. I was surprised to see different brand replics here and lot of gold shops around. They have a whole section for antiques im sure most of them must be replics. But worth a visit.
The bazaar was very beautiful, but inside they ask 3 times the amount of money they ask outside the bazaar. It's pretty to see, but it's all the same.
If you like to haggle and would like to buy beautiful scarves, shawls, leather goods, leather jackets, carpets, souvenirs, jewelry, etc.. this is the place for u! There are 100s of shops for everything I have mentioned above..
Be careful of 2 things – every shopkeeper always quotes crazy expensive prices.
This is Istanbul at it's best. Try to find your way, warning, you will get lost. Try to detest the salesmen, you will loose this as well. This is such a lovely place with a great historic value. One tip, try to stay at the outer streets and hop into the small exits. You'll be surprised what you find there.
Amazing place for all kinds of goodies from fake Lacoste (other brands are available) polo shirts, leather goods, carpets, Turkish treasures (we bought beautiful small ceramic bowls and glass lamp holders – just stunning souvenirs of our trip).
The place is simply massive – a couple of tips, if buying clothes try things on as they come up small.
Was expecting a little more buzz/"dirtiness " or something… Having said that walking through the gate and looking up and around the "alleyways" still has a colourful , slightly exotic feel. It was good wandering up an alley and entering a courtyard where a couple of eating places were and in one room , an operating old looking weaving machine…
A dream for photographers, with fabulous tiled walls, painted vaulted ceilings and colourful merchandise; a nightmare for those with no sense of direction and a scary opportunity to max out your credit cards on costly jewellery and carpets. As a dedicated shopper I was looking forward to haggling for bargains and resolving my Christmas present problems.
Choices galore, from souvenirs and gifts to gold and jewelry. Quality off-the- rack or custom made leather garments. Prepare to haggle and spend at least half a day enjoying the experience.
The Grand Bazaar was one of the reasons we went to Istanbul although for rather an unusual reason – my two boys were fascinated by the fact that both Sky Fall and Taken 2 were filmed either motorbiking or running over the roof and the fact that their Assassin's Creed game was partly set in the Bazaar!