Yes, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul sells a wide variety of food, including Turkish delights, spices, dried fruits, nuts, and cheeses. It also features numerous small, traditional restaurants and cafes hidden within its 61 streets, serving kebabs, wraps, and tea.
Grand Bazaar has stood since 1461and prides itself as the largest indoor bazaar in the world. Its 60 streets have more than 4,000 shops. The architectural wonder features exquisite Turkish rug collections, ceramics, lanterns, evil eye amulets, and jewelry.
With over 4,000 shops spread across 61 covered streets, the Grand Bazaar is more than just a market; it is a labyrinth of commerce that has operated since 1461. While it can be a tourist trap if you aren't careful, it remains the best place in Istanbul to shop for gold, leather, and souvenirs.
Recommended Span of Visit: 2 – 4 Hours depending on needs and availability. Tips and Things to Know Before You Visit: Grand Bazaar is very big and shops can be very similar in narrow corridors. If you are looking to spend extra time, consider visiting with a guide.
No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, this spice market wins the prize for being the most colorful, fragrant, and often the most fun – as visitors can taste the goods on offer.
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What is a must buy from Turkey?
Name the best souvenir to buy from Turkey? Turkey offers a variety of the best choices. You can purchase Turkish carpets, coffee and tea sets, and powder or coffee beans without hesitation. And, ceramic items and household decorative products are really good.
Haggling is a big part of Turkish shopping culture, especially at bazaars and markets. As opposed to fixed-price stores, most sellers at the Grand Bazaar enjoy having customers haggle. A smile and polite manner can make the experience more enjoyable and successful.
There is no dress code per se, but modest, sensible, comfortable clothing that covers the chest and shoulders and legs (past the knee) is recommended, as are flat walking shoes.
Bugs appear in specific locations (Your Farm, Waterfall Area, Zephyr Town and the Hotel Area) and will reset at the top of each hour. Entering or exiting areas will refresh the available bugs if the in-game clock has passed a full hour (e.g. 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM). Insects are not found at the Bazaar or Horse Track.
No, the Hagia Sophia is not free for most tourists; a €25 entry fee for foreign visitors was introduced in January 2024, restricting them to the upper gallery, while free entry is generally reserved for Turkish Muslim worshippers for prayer.
Compared with other cities in European countries, Istanbul can be significantly cheaper, but this depends on what you're looking for and where you make your purchases. Products like tea, leather, cotton, ceramics and spices are cheaper, since many of them are produced locally and make for practical souvenirs.
Let this list of Istanbul souvenir shopping ideas help you on your bargain hunting adventures at one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets.
Yes, the Blue Mosque is open every day of the week, including Sundays. However, since it remains an active place of worship, visitors cannot enter during prayer times.
Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations. Be cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government buildings, as well as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and parks.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
Don't make any derogatory comments about the Turkish Flag, or Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish Republic's Founding Father or in fact anything else about Turkey. It is obviously impolite and disrespectful! Don't stand with your hands on your hips or in your pockets. Don't point at someone with your finger.
Spices and teas from Turkey's markets, such as saffron, sumac, and Rize tea, are perfect for culinary enthusiasts. Pair teas with traditional glass sets for a complete gift. Handmade jewelry and accessories, including Ottoman-inspired designs and evil eye ornaments, reflect Turkey's rich artistic heritage.
Bellboys usually receive 20–50 Turkish Lira depending on the number of bags. Housekeeping staff should get 20–30 TL per night. You can also give one larger tip at the end of your stay. For concierge services such as booking tickets or arranging a car, 50–100 TL is suitable.
Down the street at Chanel, the prize for a half-hour wait outside closed glass doors might have been a “Classic Chanel Camera Case Bag”: At 18,500 liras, the leather bag was selling for the equivalent of $2,877, an almost 25 percent discount to the $3,700 it costs on a European Chanel online site.
