Grand Bazaar Tours in Istanbul

The numbers at the Grand Bazaar are eye-popping. You'll find around 4,000 shops in this market, where 20,000 people work every day. And if that's not enough, 300,000 to 500,000 people visit it every day.

The sheer size and variety of the Grand Bazaar can be a little confusing when it comes to exploring it. Here is a detailed guide on what to consider when visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

If you're thinking of touring the Grand Bazaar and don't know where to start, don't hesitate to book a guided tour of Istanbul. There's nothing better than visiting tourist attractions with expert guides who know where to go and how to get around. The Grand Bazaar is very large and finding what you are looking for can be difficult.

Booking a guided tour will give you the peace of mind to make the most of your time as the guides will tell you where to find what you are looking for and also tell you the history of this world famous market that everyone wants to visit at least once in their lifetime.

When you enter the bazaar all your senses are heightened as the stimuli are many. You will have traders in every shop trying to offer their wares. But if you visit with a guided tour you don't have to worry about anything. Just relax and enjoy the walk through the largest market in the East.

The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is located near the Fatih district, one of Istanbul's must-see neighbourhoods, between the Beyazit and Nuruosmaniye mosques. The exact location is Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.

If you are staying in the S ultanahmet area you can simply walk there, as it is only a 15 minute walk away. If you are in another area of the city, you can take the T1 tram line and get off at the Beyazit-Kapali Çarsi stop.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 7.30pm, but if you arrive later than 6pm you'll only see a small part of what it has to offer, so I recommend you take at least 2 hours out of your itinerary.

Remember that it is closed all day on Sundays. Remember this when planning your trip and booking a guided tour of Istanbul.

The Grand Bazaar has some 22 gates around the grounds. Each gate leads to a different area of the market that specialises in a particular product. The division is not so linear or perfect, but there is a general logic of products per area.

My advice is to look for Gate 1, as it is the main and most important entrance. It is located right next to the Nuruosma-niye Mosque and is easily identifiable, as you will see an old sign with the date the Grand Bazaar was built.

When you enter here, you'll have to pass through the police checkpoint and security arch, but it's a quick and easy process. Don't try not to get lost in the endless streets as this is part of the magic of visiting the Grand Bazaar. If you're looking for a guidepost, you'll find a central core with the two original covered markets. Around this area called Bedesten is a network of covered streets, and the two areas together form the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

The truth is that the Grand Bazaar is so famous because you can find anything you can imagine. But if you want to make the most of it to find unique opportunities, you should pay special attention to these kinds of products:

• Turkish lamps: they are very famous and you can find them in all the colours you can imagine, standing, hanging and at very good prices.
• Turkish amulets: do you know the famous disc with a blue eye in the middle? Well, they originate from Turkish culture and are used to fight the evil eye and bad energies.
• Turkish tea: Turkish black tea is one of the most famous in the world, but I recommend you also explore the many other varieties you can find in the Grand Bazaar.
• Narghile pipes: also known as shisha or water pipe, you will see them in almost all Muslim bars. They are used to smoke tobacco with different flavours. You may not be a smoker, but it is also a great decorative object.
• Kilim carpets: they are handmade using traditional Turkish techniques. They are unique and a high quality product. Don't worry about transporting them as they are delivered to you rolled up ready for the plane.
• Turkish ceramics: The most popular ceramic items are iznik bowls and colourful plates. The designs are truly a thing of beauty.
• Turkish spices: You'll get all the spices you can imagine and they are bought by weight in vacuum packs.
• Turkish silver and gold jewellery: it is advisable to ask for a proof of the carat of the jewellery and the details of the seller. In the Grand Bazaar there are also counterfeit goods, so I suggest you check very carefully.
• Hamman Soap: The famous soap is of Turkish origin and is made from pure olive oil.
• Turkish delicacies: they can be found in every corner of the bazaar.

You may not like this kind of shopping dynamic, but in the Grand Bazaar prices are always haggled over. When you ask for a price, the merchant will be waiting for you to make your offer, so those figures are higher than they actually expect.

This game may be a bit tiring, but if you don't want to pay extra you should be encouraged to make your own offer. Usually you start with a low offer, so that the trader will offer you a higher figure and you will find a break-even point where both parties agree. When booking a tour of Istanbul, your guide is sure to give you some tips.

The Grand Bazaar area has several attractions that you can see on the same day, before or after your visit.

• Mahmut Pasha Mosque: was the first mosque built within the city walls of Istanbul. It is a very busy place, especially at prayer time. You will hear the call of prayer coming from the mosque's loudspeakers.
• Nuruosmaniye Mosque and Atik Ali Pasha Mosque: they are particularly beautiful and different from the rest of the mosques in the city.
• The Burnt Column (Çemberlitas): a pillar that was built around the year 300 and the incredible fact is that small fragments of the nails of the Passion of Christ and even a piece of the original cross were embedded in it.
• Beyazit Square: where a market is held every day of the week with many people and a large number of shops of different styles.
• Beyazit Tower: an ancient structure created for surveillance, offering magnificent views of the city.

The Grand Bazaar is a place you can visit if you go to Istanbul with children. They will love seeing so many colourful and picturesque objects around.

Besides, there are always tastings in almost every shop and you can try different local products and drink different kinds of tea. However, if these snacks only open your stomachs, you can book a gastronomic tour of Istanbul.

What you should bear in mind is that it is a very crowded place, and you should be careful not to get lost. But if you are careful, it makes for a great family outing. You can arrange a meeting point when you enter the site, in case of any eventuality.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the best things to see and do in Istanbul. This iconic site is full of secrets, legends and curiosities. When you book a guided tour of Istanbul, your guide is sure to tell you a lot of them, but do you want a sneak preview:

.

• Originally, this market was created only to trade fabrics and silks. But over time and with the large influx of customers, new workshops began to open. These were covered by vaults and the enclosure was walled in, giving it the structure we can see today.
• The Grand Bazaar has suffered greatly over the years. There have been earthquakes, fires, many renovations. But none of this has made it lose its popularity.
• You will also see that in Muslim culture it is the men who are in charge. It is very rare to see women manning the shops.
• In addition to the regular shops, the Grand Bazaar houses a post office, two small mosques, cafes, several restaurants, banks and money exchange offices.
• There are never any empty shops or shops waiting to be rented, for if there are, there is a long waiting list.
• Finally, in its early days, all the streets around the Grand Bazaar were places where traders left their horses to come to work.

The Grand Bazaar is often a favourite place to buy souvenirs and travel souvenirs. Keep in mind that if you buy several units of a product in the same shop, the discount will be bigger. Therefore, plan your shopping if you want to save money.

The Grand Bazaar is also a place to get counterfeits, especially in the surrounding streets. Beware mainly of jewellery and antique shops. Sometimes the low prices are due to this. It is preferable to pay a little more to ensure authenticity.

On the other hand, traders tend to invite you for a cup of tea in order to approach you and make a sale. This is very common in the market. But don't be afraid, especially if you go with a guide when booking a tour of Istanbul.