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 really enjoyed this bazaar, it was my favorite in Istanbul. It is large and has a lot to offer, prepare to bargain to get a good deal. It is not as touristy as the grand bazaar, but is still commercial enough to find a variety of goods.
I love spicy food and have been around, but never encountered such a wide range of spices as in this place. Beautifully presented and the smell…….do
We have been to this market thinking it would be another tourist trap. I was very surprised to realised I was wrong. It's a perfect picture of Istanbul, with very rich local pastries and candies. You also find handicraft and general stuff for tourists. And prices are reasonable.
Very cool environment on a hot day. Spices, tea, silk and gold. Nearly all the right ingredients for the nativity!
I had a wonderful time shopping here, more so than the Grand Bazaar, which I found to be more for tourists. Locals as well as tourists shop here. It’s located close to the Galata Bridge and the New Mosque and an easy walking distance from all the other Istanbul’s attractions.
This bazaar was not as big as the Grand Bazaar, and the variety of merchandise sold there was also limited. It was an ok place for spices, teas, dried fruits, and the like. I'm personally used to these types of stalls back home, so I wasn't very keen on visiting the bazaar.
Much better than the Grand Bazaar. Much smaller in scale and particularly good in the morning when it was quieter. Some good shops and of a manageable scale. As with the Grand Bazaar the shops round about are totally fascinating with small areas specialising in specific items, eg fabrics, beads & trims, bedding, children's wear.
After coming out of the The Grand Bazaar we headed down the street passing through the street of buckles and belts, underwear, buttons and cottons, etc which lead down to the Spice Bazaar.
The bazaar is full of stalls selling spices, sweets, teas and turkish delight to name but a few.
The lovely smells of the spices tempt you in…
…just across the square from the New Mosque is the Spice Bazaar. After your soul has been regenerated I just love to "get lost" in the Spice Bazaar. The building is actually fantastic especially from the outside where you can see the structure but… Just step in the bazaar, close your eyes and get all the smells…
With reasonable prices and fewer crowds, the Spice Market is a much better alternative when shopping in Istanbul. Tons of stores selling spices and souvenirs, it was a wonderful place to wander around.