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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It is a good place to find bargains. Like other reviews, know where the gates are, there are many entrances and exits and one can easily get lost. The prices are quite high but you must be ready to bargain. Start your bargain with 50% of the retail price and negotiate from there.
If you love shopping stuff for decorating your home with some ethnic artifact then this is the place to be. Again same warning is wander around and get the price levels everywhere. The difference is may be its brass made or plastic used etc. it's a nice experience over all. I got some lamps and some decorations for the dinning…
I had heard so much about Istanbul's Grand Bazaar that perhaps my expectations were too high. Loads of stores, overpriced merchandise, definitely colorful, but nothing unique or unusual that I wished I would have bought. I've been to many bazaars, and this one was certainly not the best.
Have to say I felt a bit disappointed. The location itself is fabulous, but the endless stalls selling much the same touristy stuff felt a bit false and soul-less to me. Have a bit of fun with the haggling, and be prepared to be accosted (but I don't mean in a bad way) by the shopkeepers.
You should spend at least 3-4 hours. At least 3000 shops to see. Many deals. You should bargain by offering 50% less from the initial price you hear from the merchandiser. One time visit is not enough !!!
This place is so big spent all day and got some real deals.
Great hand bags, clothes and the jewelery is everywhere.
A must do when visiting Istanbul.
Looking for a great wander through shops and stalls with a Turkish flavour this is the place for you. On the day we went it was not overly crowded ( maybe only one cruise boat that day) the shop owners were friendly but certainly not pushy.
I loved the Grand Bazaar! It is so great for strolling, looking and being amazed. BUT there are better prices elsewhere if you are willing to hunt. Still it is worth the trip to be amazed.
A must see in Turkey if you don't wanna buy just go there to have some photos it would be a lovely photo for the memory.
P.s don't forget to remember the gate you entered it will help if you wanna leave
Grandbazaar nice historical old Market in Istanbul, nice design, big, and contain many wonderful things, one thing I don't like in this market, that some owners of shops boring you to sell their product.