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.
A small market,full of spices,teas and Turkish coffee.
Crossing the entrance to the Spice Bazaar, is the first real encounter with the East. The covered market has an imposing structure from the high vaulted ceilings plastered simply. On the main road open shops displaying colorful spices, many varieties of fine tea and flavored sweets and nuts of all kinds. There are plenty of souvenir shops…
You can find spices, treats, and just about any type of souvenir item you'd want to take home.
It is nice to visit, though not very big. You don't have to buy anything, but it's always interesting to see what they're offering, and the presentation of their turkish delights is nice. I bought coffee from one of the main coffee sellers just next to one of the exits of this Bazaar.
We enjoyed tasting various teas and treats but ultimately it feels like every stand is pushing the same tasty turkish delight. I was really impressed with the varying aggressive sales tactics of the Turkish men. Be patient and enjoy this unique market experience.
Fantastic. This was really busy and gave a great flavour of the working life. We really enjoyed walking round, tasting the spice, nuts and fruits. Well worth leaving the market and exploring neighbouring streets and cafes.
The main street of the spice bazaar is an experience. There are many shops selling soaps, dried fruits, nuts, turkish tea, tea sets, pottery, evil eye items and lamps. If you get time to explore the side streets of the market there are pet shops, coffee shops, manyyy scarf shops and other specialty stores.
We entered cautiuoisly into this market after all hearsay ant execssive price and pick pockters . But the minute we entered the market we got into the first shop and were awept over by the turkish delight. Amazing sweets . Also bought nice turkish paintings .ended up spending good money here. Must visit
This was my second visit to the Egyptian Bazaar, but I think I have a different view to the majority of reviewers. Firstly, I don't think this Bazaar is comparable to the Grand Bazaar, primarily because the Grand Bazaar is not a specialist market focussed on spices & food, whereas the Egyptian Bazaar is.
Much smaller than the Grand Bazaar but just as enchanting here you can get your exotic spices at really good prices. You can haggle on the price. A lovely aroma as you walk around fending off the traders who want to sell their wares. A different photographic opportunity for those wanting to get that prize shot of Istanbul.