Wander The Alleys Of The Grand Bazaar
Ticked off
Thousands of shops, dozens of lamplit streets and more than five centuries of haggling under one painted roof.
The adventure
Step through one of the Grand Bazaar's gates and Istanbul's traffic noise falls away, replaced by the chatter of traders and the clink of tea glasses. Vaulted ceilings painted in cream and blue arch overhead, and lanes branch off in every direction, lined with stacks of carpets, piles of copper pans, glittering gold jewellery and hundreds of mosaic lamps glowing in the dusk-like light.
Getting lost is the point. Duck through a doorway and you find a quiet han, an old courtyard where craftsmen still work silver and repair rugs. Accept a glass of apple tea, settle in for a friendly negotiation and walk away with something you didn't know you wanted. The bazaar began around the 1450s, soon after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and trade has barely paused since.
Why it’s epic
- One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with around 60 streets and thousands of shops.
- Its core dates back to the 1450s, soon after Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople.
- Hidden hans, old caravanserai courtyards where artisans still work.
- A short walk from the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Spice Bazaar.
What it is
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops.
How to do it
Enter through one of its many gates and wander. Haggle politely and stop for tea.
Top tip
Combine it with the Spice Bazaar near the Golden Horn.
Need to know
- The bazaar is closed on Sundays and public holidays, and many shops start closing in the early evening.
- Haggling is expected, so stay friendly, decide your price first and don't be afraid to walk away.
- UK visitors can enter Turkey visa-free for short tourist stays.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time to go
- All year (closed Sundays)
- Fly into
- IST airport
Entry is free, so the cost is flights and a hotel in Istanbul, plus whatever you can't resist buying.
Do it yourself
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My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Wander The Alleys Of The Grand Bazaar” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.