Shopping in Grand Bazar
In Istanbul, Turkey, one of the world's biggest and oldest covered markets is known as the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul is best experienced by losing yourself in exploration and becoming one with the city. The ideal location for it is the Grand Bazaar. In reality, Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is a universe unto itself. It is a bustling, populated, friendly, and important area of Istanbul. This bazaar draws visitors from all over the world and offers everything imaginable, including beautiful history, antique dealers, jewelers, bag makers, leather shops, and carpet sellers.
Visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is a must-do while there. There are also numerous guided tours available if you're seeking someone to assist you in finding what you're searching for in this vast area, show you how to barter, educate you on its history, and take care of your transportation.
Overview of Grand Bazaar
| Location | Turkey |
| Address | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Opening Days | Every day except Sunday. |
| Ticket price | No ticket |
Highlights
- Discover this timeless illustration of Ottoman civic architecture.
- With the assistance of your knowledgeable guide, explore the fantastic shopping choices in Turkey's largest and oldest covered market.
- Enjoy the bazaar's complex layout and busy alleys.
- Learn about your area's oldest stores, rare items, and skilled craftspeople.
- Throughout its lengthy history, the market has undergone numerous renovations. As you can see, the bazaar's walls are decorated with beautiful details, and several columns are placed throughout.
- Have a look at The Bazaar which has 64 streets, 4,000 stores, restaurants, and banks, almost making it a city in itself. It is frequently regarded as one of the first shopping centers ever built.
Recommended for?
The Grand Bazaar, one of Istanbul's most well-liked attractions, is a must-visit location for shopaholics and tourists searching for fun. However, there was a time before the bazaar was one of the largest covered markets in the world.
About Grand Bazaar
In the center of Istanbul sits the world's oldest and biggest covered market! Thousands of tourists and shoppers worldwide visit the famous Grand Bazaar daily. The place has a market area of 30,700,000 square meters and lives up to its name.
There are more than 4,000 stores there, spread out along 62 covered lanes, selling everything from clothing and home goods to food and objects unique to Turkish culture and cuisine. It was once a thriving hub and center of global trade and business and the first retail mall in history.
The creation of the well-known bazaar is rooted in a rich historical heritage. Sultan Mehmed II gave the order to build Cevahir Bedesten, the first building in the bazaar, specifically for trading textiles and jewelry to raise money for mosque Hagia Sophia.
Grand Bazaar is one of Istanbul's most alluring tourist destinations today, and best represents Turkish architecture. Its massive structure draws attention and curiosity from people worldwide and is an eye-catching building in and of itself.
Due to its upscale stores, an extensive selection of goods for sale, enormous size, and diversity, exploring the market through its various alleys is a truly unique experience. In addition, first-time visitors are amazed by the bazaar's size, which holds their interest in every aspect and makes them feel like they are in a labyrinth.
The market is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. but is closed on Sunday. It offers a variety of goods for sale, including hammam soaps, traditional sweets, and ceramic and carpet products. Another significant portion of the goods sold in the shops here is enchanted Turkish lamps and jewelry. Grand Bazaar has historically been and continues to be a popular tourist destination.
Interesting Facts about Shopping in Grand Bazar
- According to the list, the most famous landmark and attraction in Istanbul in 2014 was this magnificent bazaar.
- The Grand Bazaar expanded in size in the 16th century. Unfortunately, an earthquake destroyed the bazaar shortly after, but it was rebuilt in 1894.
- Turkish carpets are in high demand because they are not only luxurious but also because most are hand-made and have excellent detail.
- The Ottoman Empire ruled over the road system and covered three continents. The Grand Bazaar's geographic epicenter served as the hub of Mediterranean trade, connecting Asia and Europe.
- The bazaar is divided into roads labeled according to the traders and the goods they sell.
Popular Turkey Tour Packages
FAQS of Grand Bazaar
Ans: The Grand Bazaar is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for Sundays. The covered market is best visited early or anytime before 5 p.m. During this time, fewer people are around, making it easier for tourists to shop and explore the market.
Ans: The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul serves renowned kebabs, seafood, and desserts and is bathed in vibrant lights and traditional architecture. Menemen, Ayran, durum, and much more are some things you should take advantage of in the Grand Bazaar while in Istanbul, the city that embodies a wide range of cultures. The Grand Bazaar's bustling streets are where you can find exquisite foods and delicate fabrics. This popular tourist destination is a vibrant maze of clothing, carpets, jewelry, artifacts, odors, spices, and genuine regional dishes. It has 61 streets and over 4,000 shops.
Ans: Below is the list of items you can buy from Grand Bazaar:
- Turkish tea
- Turkish silver and gold jewelry
- Ceramics
- Turkish spices and scents
- Turkish lamps
- Nazar evil eye ornaments
- Turkish delight
- Kilim rugs
Ans: Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, one of the most well-known shopping locations in the world, is also the largest enclosed bazaar at 30,700 square meters.
Ans: The best times are early in the day or late in the day. If you want to shop at the Grand Bazaar all day, go early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and take a break for lunch somewhere else in between. Shopping in the Grand Bazaar at noon means doing so with 400,000 other people.