Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, a true cave of Ali Baba in the heart of Istanbul. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this labyrinth of interior streets and thousands of shops, heir of the merchant crossroads between the East and the West, covered from the apogee of the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century, where spices, silk, metals and furs rubbed shoulders.

History

Here is the one you were eagerly waiting for: welcome to the Grand Bazaar. For centuries, the goods come from the East, spices, wheat, silk and honey, met there those come from the West, metals, furs and wood, which made the wealth of the city. Moreover, do you not say "it's Byzantium" to evoke opulence? Since always, Istanbul, whatever its name, is a merchant crossroads. In the sixteenth century, at the apogee of the Ottoman Empire that then extended over three continents, the riches flowed to the Grand Bazaar, to the point that it was decided to cover it to no longer have to pack everything up each evening, thus forming one of the largest covered markets in the world, and it is still the case. Prepare to live the experience of the cave of Ali Baba: the Grand Bazaar deploys dozens of interior streets opening onto numerous gates and shelters thousands of shops overflowing with carpets, jewels, leathers, ceramics and spices, in warm colours. An enchanting labyrinth where it is good to get lost, to bargain and to stroll.

What to see

Here you plunge into one of the largest covered markets in the world, a labyrinth of dozens of interior streets and thousands of shops, heir of the merchant crossroads between East and West; covered in the sixteenth century at the Ottoman apogee, it overflows with carpets, jewels, leathers, ceramics and spices. The Grand Bazaar is a cave of Ali Baba in the heart of Istanbul. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Grand Bazaar lies in the heart of the old town of Istanbul, near the mosque of Suleiman and the Column of Constantine, reachable on foot. It is a covered market whose hours vary and that generally closes on Sunday; bargaining is customary there. It is best to enquire before coming and to remain attentive to your belongings in the crowd.

Why was the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul covered?

In the sixteenth century, at the apogee of the Ottoman Empire extended over three continents, the riches flowed so much to this merchant crossroads between East and West that it was decided to cover the market to no longer have to pack everything up each evening; it thus became one of the largest covered markets in the world, a labyrinth of thousands of shops still in activity.

Where is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul?

In the heart of the old town of Istanbul, near the mosque of Suleiman, in Turkey.