Spice Bazaar, Istanbul was constructed in the 1660s as part of the New Mosque complex, with rents from the shops going to support the upkeep of the mosque and its charitable activities. It was called the Egyptian Market (Mısır Çarşısı), because it was famous for selling goods shipped in from Cairo.
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), Istanbul
Enter the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Market from the northernmost entrance, where Tahmis Sokak meets the square in front of the New Mosque. The bazaar was built by the Valide Turhan Sultan in 1660, build and the architect was Kasim Ağa, as part of the New Mosque complex; its name derives from the goods that were once sold here, having arrived by sea via the annual ‘Cairo Caravan’. The brick walls and high, vaulted ceilings give it all the allure of the Grand Bazaar, but at a fraction of the size.
In the old days there were sold here drugs of all kinds, prepared medicines, useful herbs and spices beyond number, with flowers, seeds, nuts and perfumes. It was in fact an important oriental market.
The bazaar’s stalls brim with heaps of brightly coloured herbs, spices, tea leaves, nuts and lokum (Turkish Delight), as well as copious amounts of honey, olive oil and caviar, and even the odd pot of the aphrodisiac “Turkish Viagra“. Also peppered around are stalls selling natural soaps and sponges, ceramics, jewellery and scarves.
Used to a steady influx of tourists, the vendors can be tiresome and their prices often inordinately high. As well as spices, nuts, honeycomb and olive-oil soaps, the bustling spice bazaar sells truckloads of figs, lokum (Turkish delight) and pestil (fruit pressed into sheets and dried).
Although the number of shops selling tourist trinkets increases annually, this is still a great place to stock up on edible souvenirs, share a few jokes with the vendors and marvel at the well-preserved building. Most of the shops offer vacuum packaging, which makes it easy to take souvenirs home. Also here is Hasırcılar Caddesi, a narrow street selling spices and other goods that are often a fraction of the price of equivalent products in the Spice Bazaar. Look out for the flagship store of the most famous coffee purveyor in Turkey, “Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi“, which is on the corner nearest to the bazaar.
When you are ready to leave, take the exit in the middle of the bazaar that leads out into the plant and pet market nestled into the crook of the L-shaped structure. Here dogs, ducks, pheasants, rabbits and even leeches are available to buy, but you will most likely prefer to take a breather in one of the adjacent open-air cafes.
I visited both the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar in early Jun 2003. I personally find Egyptian Bazaar a more interesting place to visit. Grand Bazaar is huge and can be confusing to walk around. Although Egyptian Bazaar is much smaller than I expected, it is much easier to walk around and enjoy what the bustling market.
I love the smell of spices, so I really enjoyed the way all these bright powders would make my nose ecstatic.. There were too many people, I just lasted a few minuted there, I needed space. (Thank god it was smaller than the Grand Bazaar!!).
So amazing place where you could find and taste something new for you. Please note that outside of the Egypt market they sell the same but prices are lower than inside. Plenty of sweets, nuts and spices of course. Also many kinds of cheese, the most amazing for me was sheep cheese in a goat skin!
The Spice Market. For cheap trinkets and souvenir t-shirts, the prices are better here than in the Grand Bazaar. Plus, it's open on Sundays to boot. I can't say whether the prices or quality on the actual spices are good, but they look spectactular.
The Egyptian, also called Spice, Bazaar is worth 1-2 hours to roam in and out the building, wandering up and down aisles. You'll often see identical things (pepper grinders and turkish delight can be found all over, as can the ubiquitous spices).
Always visit the Spice and the Grand Bazaar when in Istanbul. Simply wonderful! Best spices, tea, sweets and everything you can imagine. Almost every single seller is really nice and always good for a laugh with them. Stocked up on all my spices and tea now, but cannot wait to go back.
A a real delight it was. Commonly called the Spice bazaar. It is L shaped and easy to find your way around. Wonderful to see everything and the aromas are fantastic.
I recently have visited spice bazar and this is an amazing place to visit in Istanbul for a better understanding of culture and lifestyle of Turkey. U can find more or less everything there, starting from food, spices, amazing lights, carpets and what not. the price is reasonable compare to Grand Bazar.
This is a bazaar I return to frequently (time permitting) when I am in Istanbul. I am forever lured to the store of Malatya Pazari and my favorite purchases are the exquisitely packed dried fruit combinations stuffed with nuts. They are packed in little wooden trays and make excellent gifts.
Small but a must see. Some nice pictures on the spices piled high and some great haglin but you will always find cheaper it the way of the bazaar.