grand bazaar, Istanbul

It has everything, well almost. But mostly very aggressive merchants, lots of tourists, and exorbitant prices. Go to take a look and walk around. Try to walk in the center of the pathways so you won't get tackled by merchants. Personally I much prefer the Spice Market.

What to buy: Nothing.

What to pay: Usually too much.

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The world famous Covered bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is, owing to its architecture, history, location, and sheer variety of marchandise, one of Istanbul's most significant tourist sites. The Bazaar has eight different entrances, each of them facing one of the city's most important historic monuments. These include Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Çemberlitas, the Beyazýt Complex, Istanbul University and the Second Hand Book Bazaar. Built at the command of SultanMehmed the, Conqueror in 1461, the Bazaar initially consisted of just two warehouses (bedesten). In time, merchants began to set up their own stalls and workshops in the surrounding area. Dignitaries furthered the expansion with the addition of numerous caravanserais, so that the soon place had become a focus for trading goods from all over the empire. In the 16th and 17th centuries, however, the Bazaar suffered repeated damage from the fires that ravaged that part of the city, and in 1894 was destroyed alltogether by an earthquake. After being rebuilt in 1898, the Bazaar underwent futher renovation following the fires of 1943 and 1954.

What to buy: In terms of structure, the visitor is confronted by what may at first seem a bewildering a maze of 61 streets. On closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that there is, in fact, a reasonable semblance of order. The streets themselves are arranged on a grid-like system, are traditionally shopkeepers have tended to group themselves according to the type of goods they sell, whether it be jewellery, antiques, carpets, copper, or leather goods. Clues as to which area you might be in are often given by the names of streets, even if in some cases - the Street of the Turban Makers, for instance - the traders recalled are now mere vestiges of a colourful past.
The Bazaar also functions as an unofficial financial centre, with a particular emphasis on gold and foreign exchange trading. Most shopkeepers will exchange different currencies.
The Bazaar is open daily, except Sundays and public holidays, between 07:00 and 19:00.

A big maze, it's the ideal place for shopping in Istanbul. The shopping lovers have everything there, their companion may enjoy the site.

Much more organized than the Islamic souks, the place keeps the oriental touch, and bargaining is the general sport. Don't miss it.

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The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shops with many of the shops grouped by the type of goods they sell, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewellery and the like but it's still very easy to get lost despite there being signs. I found it to be a complete maze and a bit of a tourist trap where, in my view, most people of Istanbul wouldn't shop in.

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Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror opened this bazaar in 1461, not long after his conquest of Constantinople. Here is nearly everything under the sun.

What to buy: Almost everything is for sale here.

What to pay: Of course, one can save a lot of money by knowing how to haggle. You don't just pay the price right upfront, except for small, inexpensive items.

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This was a nice, small shop in the Big Bazaar. We entered it by good luck with a specific wish and Mustafa succeeded were other shops failed to deliver the requested embroidered cloth. When you're looking for a well-tempered salesman who is friendly, let you take you time, has good (not too strong) tea and wants you to be happy - his motto is: 'as long as we have our good health': this is the place. When we were there, two of his previous customers came back, just for tea and a chat.

What to buy: We bought a hand embroidered (silk on cotton) cloth, square (most are rectangular, to be used on beds) of very good quality.

What to pay: There are cheaper one, but this cloth was well worth its about 300 euro's.

This was a nice, small shop in the Big Bazaar. We entered it by good luck with a specific wish and Mustafa succeeded were other shops failed to deliver the requested embroidered cloth. When you're looking for a well-tempered salesman who is friendly, let you take you time, has good (not too strong) tea and wants you to be happy - his motto is: 'as long as we have our good health': this is the place. When we were there, two of his previous customers came back, just for tea and a chat.

What to buy: We bought a hand embroidered (silk on cotton) cloth, square (most are rectangular, to be used on beds) of very good quality.

What to pay: There are cheaper one, but this cloth was well worth its about 300 euro's.

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Indoors , several entrances, it is huge. There is a main "street" with lanes off it,must be "miles" of it. Sells everthing. Very crowded. If you are askiing locals directions to the Grand Bazaar try and say "Kapali Carsi". Not to be missed.

What to buy: Has i cant carry much i bought loads of turkish delight.