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The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul: The World's First Shopping Mall
Published by Mara Munro, Writer
Country: Turkey 
The Experience
Visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is at the top of the list on most tourist itineraries, coming in a close second maybe only to Hagia Sophia. But while visiting the Turkish capital, you might receive mixed reviews of the legendary Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. Some Turks describe it as being as close to a real Turkish market as McDonald's is to fine dining. But throughout much raving or regretting of this experience, you just have to see this spectacular merchant mini-city with your own eyes.
The Grand Bazaar (or “Kapalı Çarşı” in Turkish), means “covered bazaar". It has humble beginnings as a small masonry market enclosure called a “bedesten,” built in 1455 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Located in the heart of the old city, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar slowly grew as neighbouring shopkeepers attached their shops to the growing covered market: a brilliant idea to secure the market stall and facilitate shopping in any weather, year-round. Turkey’s Grand Bazaar was then further enlarged during the time of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the early 16th Century, and then was repaired in 1894 after a major earthquake shook the city. Today, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, sprawling over 58 covered streets, and boasting over 4,000 shops, two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and anywhere from one quarter to half a million visitors, daily.
Start the day off right, with baklava and kave in the spice market (an adjoining open-air market to the sprawling Grand Bazaar). With a good sugar rush, you can hit the streets and wind your way through board-game alley and bridal boutique heaven. There are so many other markets connecting all around the main Bazaar that even finding one of the Grand Bazaar's 22 front doors, let alone not getting lost inside, can be an adventure. It is quite easy to find a Grand Bazaar map to help you through the maze; but on the other hand, ditching the map (after a quick peruse) can be much more amusing!
Once inside, the vaulted arch of the ceiling, in clean white and red tiles, gives it magnificence and a lovely sound. It's a visual feast, with soaps and beads, spices and glass, rolls of fabrics, tons of brass, rugs, and loads of cheap knock-off brand items. It is very similar to most other bazaars in terms of the specific contents; and not just the size. Beyond the shiny wares, there is a hub of trade, of communication between companies and countries; and the Grand Bazaar is still a force in the Turkish economy for import/export business. Part of the attractive mystique of the Grand Bazaar is the idea of the Grand Bazaar itself. It’s not necessarily what's in it, but what it is.
The Grand Bazaar (or “Kapalı Çarşı” in Turkish), means “covered bazaar". It has humble beginnings as a small masonry market enclosure called a “bedesten,” built in 1455 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Located in the heart of the old city, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar slowly grew as neighbouring shopkeepers attached their shops to the growing covered market: a brilliant idea to secure the market stall and facilitate shopping in any weather, year-round. Turkey’s Grand Bazaar was then further enlarged during the time of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the early 16th Century, and then was repaired in 1894 after a major earthquake shook the city. Today, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, sprawling over 58 covered streets, and boasting over 4,000 shops, two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and anywhere from one quarter to half a million visitors, daily.
Start the day off right, with baklava and kave in the spice market (an adjoining open-air market to the sprawling Grand Bazaar). With a good sugar rush, you can hit the streets and wind your way through board-game alley and bridal boutique heaven. There are so many other markets connecting all around the main Bazaar that even finding one of the Grand Bazaar's 22 front doors, let alone not getting lost inside, can be an adventure. It is quite easy to find a Grand Bazaar map to help you through the maze; but on the other hand, ditching the map (after a quick peruse) can be much more amusing!
Once inside, the vaulted arch of the ceiling, in clean white and red tiles, gives it magnificence and a lovely sound. It's a visual feast, with soaps and beads, spices and glass, rolls of fabrics, tons of brass, rugs, and loads of cheap knock-off brand items. It is very similar to most other bazaars in terms of the specific contents; and not just the size. Beyond the shiny wares, there is a hub of trade, of communication between companies and countries; and the Grand Bazaar is still a force in the Turkish economy for import/export business. Part of the attractive mystique of the Grand Bazaar is the idea of the Grand Bazaar itself. It’s not necessarily what's in it, but what it is.
When to Go to Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is open year-round from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Odds n' Ends
As Istanbul is very European or Western compared to the rest of Turkey, you can get away with wearing shorts or sleeveless tops in the summer months. Women may feel uncomfortable showing too much skin, which draws a lot of attention, and is rather embarrassing when you turn a corner to find a crowd having just filed out of a mosque for daily prayer, staring at you disapprovingly. Be careful with your wallet. Not only is pick pocketing fife, but also of paying twice the price in the Grand Bazaar than at the store down the street. Shop with your ears and eyes. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is perhaps the world’s first shopping mall.
Places to Eat
- Galata Life
- For breakfasts, brunches, lunches and dinners, you are more than welcome to take a culinary journey at our restaurant offering Turkish specialities and international cuisine. Galata Life Istanbul Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe is in a historic building which was before a bakery
Recommended Places to Stay
- World House Hostel
- Just few steps away from Galata Tower, only few minutes to Istiklal street, walking distance to taksim square and to Sultanahmet area. We are a 5 minute walk to all Istanbul's nightlife yet far enough to have a quite wonderful sleep. Our building 150 years old, and has the best years of its time being a hostel, high ceilings, clean nice specious rooms, lockers in every room, plenty of showers, free wireless Internet, and most important English speaking friendliest staff will make your stay a great one.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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- Stepping inside Istanbul's Sultanahmet Camii—commonly known as the Blue Mosque—is a unique experience. It is immediately apparent that this breathtaking building not only stores memories from centuries of Turkish history, but as an active mosque, the Blue Mosque remains central to Turkey’s ongoing story. Built in the early 17th Century AD during the reign of Ahmed I, The Blue Mosque faces Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, alluding to its important historical role in the city. Sections of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque were built on parts of the foundation of the Great Palace, the royal residence of Byzantine Emperors from (303 ...1 miles away.
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