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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Iconic and colourful place you need to visit for the experience. Lots of the same thing so save yourself a lot of time,you would have seen everything,some shopkeepers are very pushy and even Rude…So watch and admire the architectural beauty and go to spice bazar for shopping.
Even if you don't buy or want to buy anything, it's free and the sights, sounds and smells are amazing, just give yourself a couple of hours to get lost and wander, especially the small streets just outside, probably one of the cheapest places to eat if you don't mind going local.
You can definitely spend a lot of time here because it is huge. The shops are in a covered area which is nice. There are different kinds of shops from carpets, purses, scarves, and other trinkets. I was expecting better discounts at the shops in the Grand Bazaar.
You may think it's too crowded and it's such a long walk to go through the whole BAZAAR! true but it is a must visit attraction in Istanbul, very interesting, you see locals all around selling all kinds of clothing, souvenirs, fake brands, a huge selection of everything…
You have to go. Do not wear anything that stands out. I wore a Tilley hat because of the misting that day, and I could be spotted for it seemed miles. The four stores are jewelry, rugs, tourist items, and leather goods. Multiply each by a thousand. Jeans are outside.
It’s fun to walk around and check out all the shops. They don’t bargain with you as much as they do in other markets I’ve been to, but we still founds some good deals on souvenirs.
Watch out for the real thing! If you find some! You really need to discuss every price you where made
Everyone who visits Istanbul must visit this unique and historic landmark, even if you don't want to buy anything just wander around the 3000+ shops and stalls. Almost anything you can imagine can be bought here but be prepared to haggle and not pay the asking price! (I'd suggest halving the asked price and working from there).
Iconic and colourful place you need to visit for the experience. I got ripped off so personally I would not buy anything there unless you have researched the price elsewhere and you are prepared to haggle. Lots of the same thing so save yourself a lot of time and just go down one aisle – you would have seen everything…
I would suggest you to spend 1 hour here if you are nearby, just to say "I was there".
But the it's something not authentic at all, it's like being in a shopping mall (a part from the architecture of the roof).