A visit to Istanbul, Turkey cannot be considered complete without entering the maze that is the Grand Bazaar. Appropriately named, the Grand Bazaar (also known as Kapali Carsi) has over 5,000 shops located in an area that spans over 50,000 square meters with 60 interconnecting streets. This huge shoppers’ paradise that is the Grand Bazaar, has been a part of the Istanbul landscape since the mid-1400s when it was first commissioned by Mehmet II.
The Grand Bazaar which originally consisted of only one domed building was further expanded in the 1500s and went through a restoration period in the late 1800s following an earthquake. Today, the Grand Bazaar Istanbul is renowned as one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.
In fact, the Grand Bazaar was used as a location for the James Bond movie Skyfall. Scenes in the opening sequences of the movie where James Bond is leaping and jumping over roofs and running through crowded market streets showcase several streets and shops of the Grand Bazaar Istanbul and gives viewers a brief glimpse of the adventure that is the Grand Bazaar.
Interestingly, the Grand Bazaar is also considered as the biggest jewelry bazaar in the world with shops selling all kinds and types of jewelry. The most popular jewelers and the best gold and diamond jewelry are found on the Kalpakçılar Street.
With such credentials, every visitor to Istanbul would surely want to experience this unique shopping mall that is considered to be the world's greatest market!
The Grand Bazaar has shops that offer a range of wares from cloth, spices, souvenirs, books and antiques to gold and silver and everything in between! Most of these shops cater to tourists, but there are also some local shops that sell authentic Turkish products and wares.
So the question arises – what to buy at the Grand Bazaar? Some favorite items are beautiful Turkish carpets and rugs, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, authentic leather products, apparel made of cotton and wool, spices, antiques, gold jewelry, and silverware. While browsing around for souvenirs, visitors can also consider buying swords and daggers to take home.
One good thing about the Grand Bazaar is that shops with wares of a similar kind are clustered together. So, when looking for a particular type of item you would be able to check out a few shops in the section and make a choice that best fits your tastes while picking up great bargains! The map may be helpful although a little dated. If you get lost (which is considered by most a part of the fun attached to a Grand Bazaar visit) simply follow the prominently placed signs to get to where you want to go… that is, if you know where you want to go! Otherwise, just relax and enjoy the authentic experience that is at the Grand Bazaar Istanbul.
When trolling the shops at the Grand Bazaar do keep in mind the one thing that is common - the bargaining that goes on and is expected! So, visiting the Grand Bazaar shops with someone who is great at spotting and getting a good bargain would be the ideal scenario. Do note that while light and playful bargaining is accepted, it is not acceptable to get aggressive. If you change your mind or don’t like the way the bargaining is going, just leave and move on to the next shop. If any shop owner gets aggressive, simply tell them firmly but nicely to back off.
The shopping experience itself will be overwhelming with the noise and the crowds made up of thousands of tourists and locals alike. Remember, that you cannot expect the Grand Bazaar shopping experience to be rushed… it will take time and patience. So, if you don’t have either; then it may be best to visit the Grand Bazaar when you have ample of both!
On the whole, the Grand Bazaar is a safe place to visit. However, as is quite the norm in any crowded place, pickpockets, bag-snatchers and bag-slashers are to be expected. Therefore keep your wallets and any other valuables close to you, and ladies should make it a habit to hold their handbags and purses in front of you.
The problem visitors may have is when leaving the Grand Bazaar. Due to its vastness and maze-like streets, one can start at one end of the Grand Bazaar and end up at the opposite end. So, it might be best to have a map handy to lead you to the entrance from which you can move on to your next destination without much hassle.
Grand Bazaar Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. Closed on Sundays, and bank and religious holidays.
Grand Bazaar Location: It is located in the Beyazit district of Istanbul, near Sultan Ahmet. Google Maps will also help you get to the Grand Bazaar quite easily. If you are staying in the Sultan Ahmet, Beyoglu, Fatih, Eminonu, or Taksim districts, then the Grand Bazaar is just within a walking distance.
For Muslim travelers, there are several small mosques located inside the Grand Bazaar. One can simply ask for directions from the shopkeepers and say your prayers during prayer times while visiting the Grand Bazaar. Alternately, there are mosques located just outside of the Grand Bazaar as well. Just a four-minute walk away is the Beyazit Mosque from the Kalpakçılar street side, and the Nuruosmaniye Mosque is a 15-minute walk away on the opposite side. The Huseyin Aga Mosque is the closest mosque to the Grand Bazaar at a two-minute walk from the Kalpakçılar street side, but do note that this is a small mosque. The easiest will be to check out the directions on Google Maps from your location inside the Grand Bazaar to reach the closest mosque.
Eateries, cafes, and restaurants that serve halal foods are in abundance in and around the area of the Grand Bazaar Istanbul. There are also several cafes and restaurants inside the Grand Bazaar that serve halal food such as the Havuzlu Restaurant which serves amazing Turkish food and also the Fes Café next to an Abdullah shop, where you can enjoy Turkish coffees and sweets and any vegetarian food. Alternately, if you need a break from the hustle and bustle that is the Grand Bazaar, there are some restaurants and eateries in close proximity (approximately 0.1 to 0.2 km from the Grand Bazaar) such as another Fes Café, the Nar Lokanta, Hakkizade 1864 restaurant, Aynen Kebap, Buhara Ocakbasi Restaurant, and Donerci Sahin Usta. The Taka Balık is another eatery that is just a stone’s throw away from the Huseyin Aga Mosque that serves good seafood in a simple style.
To cater to today’s technology-savvy customers, the Grand Bazaar Istanbul has gone online. Founded in 2015 by two sisters whose childhood was spent in their family-owned shop in the Grand Bazaar; combined their knowledge with their passion for e-commerce and accessible shopping; to bring to the world Online Grand Bazaar Shopping at http://www.grandbazaarshopping.com/.
Click here for a complete Muslim-friendly guide to Istanbul!
Sakina has over 20 years of experience in the field of corporate communications; having worked for a leading Annual Report Production House dealing with top corporates of Sri Lanka and overseas, and later as the Group Communications Specialist for a Sri Lankan conglomerate for their overseas plantations business. She is well-versed in the production process of annual reports, sustainability reports, corporate videos and other corporate communication media. She also has experience in Social Media Marketing and works to increase and improve social media presence of corporates and small niche market businesses. Today, she works as a freelance writer and undertakes consultations on corporate communications and social media related projects. She enjoys writing for blogs on topics of interest.
