What to expect at Grand Bazaar?

The entrance gates, up to 22 in all, lead to different sales areas. If you know the entrances, it's easy to reach the places where you can buy jewellery, carpets, ceramics, footwear, clothing, food, handicrafts, spices, and so on. It's easy to travel back in time when touring this city of treasures within Istanbul.

What to expect in Grand Bazaar Istanbul?

What to expect? Wander around exploring more than 4000 shops that this market houses. Find artisans at work, and buy spices, carpets, jewellery, trinkets and other curios for friends and family back home.

Do you need cash for the Grand Bazaar?

The bazaar is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., though merchants typically begin closing for the day around 6:30 p.m. The market is closed on Sundays and certain public and religious holidays. Most shops accept credit cards, but cash is preferred and will often result in a better price.

How much time do you need in Grand Bazaar?

You need to spend at least 3 hours to visit the Grand Bazaar, including coffee and a lunch break. If you want to skip lunch, you can probably cover the market is about 1.5 hours – but we recommend tasting some of the local delicacies in the market.

Do you haggle in the Grand Bazaar?

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.

Exploring Istanbul's Grand Bazaar! (world's oldest & largest market)

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."

What things are cheap in Turkey?

Prices may vary depending on location and quality, but you can generally find many goods cheaper than in other European countries. Popular items to buy include textiles, ceramics, and leather goods which are offered at very reasonable prices, particularly when purchasing handmade goods from local markets and bazaars.

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?

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 is best to buy in Turkey?

Handmade carpets, beautiful ceramics, soft leather… these are only some of the crafts on offer. Then there is the food, from delicious baklava, to organic honeys. Beyond these well-known gifts for yourself or others, there is a deep reserve of well-crafted designer goods.

Can you pay with card in Grand Bazaar?

All prices displayed in Grand Turkish Bazaar in 13 Different Currencies are listed on the top-right of the screen. As an international customer, you can pay with your Amex, Visa, MasterCard, and Debit Card. Grand Turkish Bazaar can't be held responsible for any variations in the exchange rate between currencies.

How many shops are there in Grand Bazaar?

The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning 'Covered Market'; also Büyük Çarşı, meaning 'Grand Market') in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m², attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.

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 is the best time of day to visit Grand Bazaar Istanbul?

Best Time To Visit

The Grand Bazaar remains open from 9 AM to 7 PM and is closed on Sundays. The best time to visit the covered market is in the morning or any time before 5 PM. This is the time when it is less crowded and visitors can indulge in shopping, exploring the market with ease.

Do you need a guide for the Grand Bazaar Istanbul?

A guide will unfailingly guide you to his brothers carpet shop and get angry when you question the value. Be careful about the pickpockets especially in and around the Spice Bazaar because it can be very very crowded sometimes. as others have said, you do not need a guide.

What can you buy with 100 lira?

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.

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.

Which brands are cheaper in Turkey?

Are things still cheap in Turkey?

Now is a great time to go; although each year the country attracts more and more tourists, prices remain cheap and economically interesting compared to other countries. Competitive prices are most noticeable in Istanbul and other top tourist spots. As far as accommodation goes, it depends on what you're after.

Is gold cheap in Turkey?

The price of gold is the same all over the world but gold jewellery here tends to be cheaper than many places due to lower labour costs. In the U.K most jewellery is 9ct with just some in 14ct. but here most everyday pieces are 14 or 18 ct with special pieces in 22 and 24 ct.

Should I carry cash in Istanbul?

Is it better to use a card or cash in Turkey? Both methods have their pros and cons. However, we suggest you have both because you need cash to spend money in local streets as local shops or vendors don't accept card payments. On the other hand, a wide range of hotels and restaurants accepts card payments.

Are clothes cheaper in Turkey than UK?

For a holidaymaker coming from the UK, Turkey is much cheaper than home. This applies to everything from hotels to cafes and restaurants and even clothes, shoes and souvenirs.

How much to haggle in Turkey?

Most times haggling will be in smaller shops or at the markets, when you see something you want, ask the price, if it sounds expensive offer 50% of the price, if the price seems reasonable then offer 80-90% then the trader will start the game with you, but remember if you do beat him down then its only right that you ...

Do I need cash in Turkey?

It's usually best to have both cash and a card when travelling in Turkey. You will need cash for small shops and markets, taxis and buses, while it's often easier to pay in hotels and restaurants with a card.