Grand Bazaar of Istanbul

Many attractions of Istanbul are unforgettable, but the city's Grand Bazaar is one of the few that allow travellers to take a bit of Istanbul home with them.  If visitors can't find the perfect souvenir in any of the five thousand shops of this historic covered market, it likely isn't anywhere to be found.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

One of the most famous markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul was founded by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror between 1455 and 1461.  It was considerably expanded during the sixteenth century during the rule of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.  Sixty streets and roughly five thousand shops form the bazaar, which also contains two imposing domed buildings.  As many as a half million people may visit the bazaar each day.

For travellers, the bazaar never fails to deliver on the exotic promise of Istanbul, to satisfy their expectations, but also to exceed their imaginings.  Ceilings are filled with lanterns of coloured glass or hammered tin.  Saffron and cinnamon perfume the air of the spice stalls.  Colourful garments lure shoppers from one festooned rack to the next.  Many areas of the bazaar are devoted to oriental carpets and woven rugs as well as stylized ceramics.  Decorative wares mingle with functional objects in this vast network of goods - impossible to see all in a single day.

While the bazaar definitely caters to the city's tourist population, it still retains its air of enchantment.  Jewellery and gold are popularly sold items as are Turkish arts and crafts.  Many prices are, of course, negotiable and price haggling may be heard from stall to stall.  Moreover, local people shop at the bazaar, too, so bargains are certainly to be found.  It's helpful to research items and their value before travelling to Istanbul in order to have an adequate idea of what things should cost.

The bazaar also features various restaurants and cafes where it's possible to enjoy Turkish coffee or tea amidst the throngs of shoppers.  Some of these refreshment venues are simply little nooks situated within the labyrinthine streets.  The bazaar is a must-see attraction of Istanbul. Antiques,reproductions, silks, brass wares, candles, leather goods, silverware, shoes, old books, art, beaded scarves are all dazzlingly displayed just as they might have been many centuries ago.

The bazaar is closed on Sundays.  Two mosques and various fountains are also housed within the complex.  The old bazaar, within the heart of the market, simply drips with gems - many such luxury items are sold throughout the bazaar, but the jewels are among the most popular items in the old bazaar - as evidenced by the vast array of shops devoted to them.  Nevertheless, the array of goods is vast and it is possible to find just about anything and everything in this ancient place of commerce.