Grand Bazaar Istanbul – Complete Visitors Guide

Regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world, Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest markets in the world. Grand Bazaar covered 61 streets and more have more than 4,000 shops. Attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily, In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world’s most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. Today, this city-within-a-city contains a police station, a health dispensary, a post office, branches of most major banks, and a tourist information center.

Grand Bazaar IstanbulHow to get there?Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is easily accessible via different transportation services including, bus, train, tram and ferry. These are the lines and routes that have stops nearby ” Metro: M2; Train: MARMARAY; Bus: 77, 77A, EM1. If you are travelling from airport directly, take the tram to Eminönü, then walk about in the area until 8.30-9 and then take the tram back to Beyazit. From Beyazit it takes 45 mins with tram/metro to the airport. Trams are one every 2nd min., trains I guess every 5th.Things to do in Grand BazaarThe Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is a lot more than your average shopping mall. Shopkeepers are not shy about letting you know  they want your money and will do their best to get it. Sixty streets covered with thousand of shops can be overwhelming if you are not a hard core shopper.There are millions of weird, wonderful and normal things to buy. Streets are grouped according to the products they sell, which is a tradition dating back to the Ottoman times. Locals shop in the market as well, so you can find some household goods. Although the Grand Bazaar seems to have it all, only certain shops are worth the visit and only certain items are worth the purchase.A fourth generation family business specializing in a wide selection of carpets from all over Turkey, Şişko Osman is the bazaar’s most popular carpet seller. Owner Osman Şenel has an academic understanding regarding his products and his precious collection ranges from antique to modern. If you are entering through the Beyazıt Gate, you will not have to look very far as the main walkway is paved with jewelers. Although the places might seem very similar, some of them are more special than others. A notable shop is Topkapı Özavar, offering a wide selection of colorful jewels.

Grand Bazaar IstanbulFurthermore Bedesten is where most of the antique shops are located. Many vendors around Istanbul sell items that appear to be antiques, so finding a trustworthy place that understands the value of an item is crucial. Şalabi Antiques is one such place, serving its customers at the Grand Bazaar since 1880. The shop’s collection includes vintage jewelry, personal objects such as mirrors and snuff-boxes, and Ottoman items for a special occasion table setup.A true treasure trove of antiques, Eski Fine Arts and Antiques has a beautiful collection from the Ottoman Empire, including paintings, backgammon sets, jewelry, calligraphy, hookahs, and sea-foam pipes, just to name a few. Before you even venture inside you’ll probably spend some time staring at the rich window display, a harbinger for what awaits you inside. Also Collectors and sailing enthusiasts will appreciate the plethora of choices at Minyatür’s Nautical Instruments, ranging from historical maps, globes, and compasses to diving equipment that can only be used for decorative purposes.

Grand Bazaar Carpets ShopsMoreover Leather is a highly coveted item at the Grand Bazaar with a lot of sellers that’ll want to entice you with their products. Skip them all and head to Koç Leather & Fur, a family run business that has been in the Grand Bazaar since 1968. Their large selection includes leather, lambskin, and fur outerwear with an aesthetic that has been compared to Dolce & Gabbana and Armani.This giant covered market is on of the city’s major landmarks and attractions. While the Grand Bazaar must compete with the several modern shopping malls in the city of Istanbul, its fascination and beauty gives the market a strong advantage over these other shopping centers.Hotels and restaurants nearbyNear to this iconic mosque there are many top quality restaurants and hotels. Once you are in Istanbul and want a royal and grandeur experience around, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet is the top recommendations. Other quality hotels nearby include The House Hotel Karaköy, GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa and Miniature Hotel Istanbul.Restaurants within the Grand Bazaar complex are known to be some of the best in Istanbul for one simple reason: their customers have been depending on their services for decades and their longevity speaks to the quality. Top quality restaurants around offering scrumptious and mouth watering foods include the top rated restaurants Havuzlu Restaurant, Antakya Restaurant, ا”بازار ا”كبير and ERZİNCANLI ALİ BABA.More famous tourist spots nearbyThere are many other inspiring and remarkable tourist spots around once you are in the city of Istanbul. After visiting Blue Mosque, you can visit the famous Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower and  Bosporus waterway.Address: Beyazıt Mh., Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, TurkeyOpening Hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 ” 19:00. Closed on Sundays.Website: For more information about Grand Bazaar, visit the Official Website.

Aly Chiman

Aly Chiman is a Blogger & Reporter at AlyChiTech.com which covers a wide variety of topics from local news from digital world fashion and beauty . AlyChiTech covers the top notch content from the around the world covering a wide variety of topics. Aly is currently studying BS Mass Communication at University.