Is Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar the same?

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.

What is the old name of Grand Bazaar Istanbul?

Built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, one of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, the Grand Bazaar is a shopping market covered with domes. Two bedestens form the backbone of this historical area, which was also known as "Çarsu-yı Kebir" in the past.

How far is the spice market from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul?

The distance between Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar is 656 meters. How do I travel from Grand Bazaar to Spice Bazaar without a car? The best way to get from Grand Bazaar to Spice Bazaar without a car is to taxi which takes 1 min and costs 20 ₺ - 25 ₺.

What is the most famous bazaar in Istanbul?

The Grand Bazaar today

Today the Grand Bazaar is a thriving complex, employing 26,000 people visited by between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily, and one of the major landmarks of Istanbul.

What can you buy in Spice Bazaar Istanbul?

There are many other things to buy in the Spice Bazaar aside from spices, including traditional Turkish teas, fruit teas, Turkish delight, dried fruits, and herbal remedies. You can even find baklava, as well as having the opportunity to try Turkish coffee.

Spice Bazaar & Grand Bazaar Istanbul Guide

Is Istanbul spice market better than Grand Bazaar?

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.

Do you bargain at the Grand Bazaar Istanbul?

Shopping in the Grand Bazaar

Expect to negotiate over the price in artisan shops that sell large items such as carpets, paintings, statues, furniture and textiles, and those stocking counterfeit luxury goods.

Which Bazar is best in Istanbul?

1. Kapali Carsi. Istanbul Grand Bazaar, apart from being a spectacular and beautiful market, is also the best place to shop in Istanbul.

What is worth buying in Istanbul?

Istanbul has always been known for its silk and leather products. There is also a traditional felt-making tradition, which today produces many highly contemporary fashion items, particularly slippers and hats.

What to buy in Turkey Grand Bazaar?

What day is Spice Bazaar closed?

Istanbul Spice Bazaar opening hours are between 09:00 in the morning and 7:00 in the evening as of 2024. The Bazaar is open every day of the week. Thus, it is a good alternative to the Grand Bazaar, which is closed on Sundays.

How to bargain in Turkish Grand Bazaar?

Start low. After browsing the shops, you should know that prices might still be inflated by up to 50%. So when you start haggling, make sure you offer half or even one third of the price. Even if you don't expect to agree on that price and you're willing to pay more, you need to leave a lot of room for negotiation.

What can you buy at Spice Bazaar?

One of the most popular items to buy in the Spice Bazaar is Turkish saffron, which is known for its vibrant color and unique flavor. You can also find a wide variety of tea blends, including traditional Turkish black tea and herbal teas made from locally grown ingredients like sage and thyme.

Why is the Grand Bazaar so famous?

Grand Bazaar is actually the first MALL that was ever built. It has 61 streets totally covered and 4000 shops. It is big. Since Istanbul was a trades center, the Grand Bazaar serves as a trade center since 1460 ( Almost since Istanbul was conquered by Turks ).

What day is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul closed?

It's one of the most significant tourist sites in Istanbul owing to its location, architecture, history and fame. Depending on the season, between 250-400thousand people visit the Bazaar everyday. The Grand Bazaar is open daily between 09:00-19.00 except on Sundays and during public or religious holidays.

Which area to stay in Istanbul?

What can I buy with 100 lira in Istanbul?

TL 100 can only get you 1 bottle of milk, a bag of chips, and medium-size bags of Nescafe and Coffee-Mate if you like this waker-upper combo like many do. If you earn your money in Dollars, you're one of the lucky few. Average salaries in Turkey for mid-level jobs are at 7k to 8k per month. That's around $500.

Where is the cheapest place to buy in Istanbul?

What is famous thing in Turkey to buy?

The most famous are the hand-painted Iznik tiles whose production has been revived in recent decades. Whether you want a whole bathroom, a mosaic, bowls, pots, or just a few lovely tiles to hang on a wall, beautiful ceramics are some of the best souvenirs from Turkey.

What is the famous street in Istanbul for shopping?

Let's start with the most popular and obvious one, Istiklal Avenue. This street is easily one of the most crowded places in Istanbul. It has so many brands of stores, cafés, and restaurants that experiencing everything this street has can easily take a month.

Is it cheap to buy clothes in Istanbul?

Yes, Istanbul offers a wide range of affordable clothing options, from bazaars and markets to outlets and local brands.

What is the famous shopping in Istanbul?

As one of Istanbul's most famous attractions, the Grand Bazaar receives around a quarter of a million shoppers every day. The range of items on sale is equally impressive.

Are designer bags in Grand Bazaar real?

There are many places that sell fake designer handbags at the Grand Bazaar. You will immediately spot them once you walk through the bazaar. However at the backstreets of the bazaar, at an area called Tahtakale, Mahmutpasa and Mercan, again many stores sell such handbags.

Is it rude not to haggle in Turkey?

At modern stores or shopping malls, the posted prices are final. But in the tourist zones-such as the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, and other shops around the Old Town-merchants know you're expecting to haggle...and they're happy to play along.

What is the first rule of haggling?

Rule 1: Be friendly and polite.

Don't be crass, rude or demanding when negotiating. Pushy behavior won't get you what you want. "Pleasant persistence wears down resistance," Dweck says. "You're not going to get them with vinegar, you're going to get them with honey."