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grand bazaar, Istanbul

grand bazaar tips, reviews and photos posted by real travelers and Istanbul locals.
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grand bazaar: Bargain hard
  • Tip Rating:
  • midnight_mike
  • By midnight_mike on May 28, 2006
  • Istanbul Page by midnight_mike
  • grand bazaar - Istanbul
    by midnight_mike
    Going to the Grand Bazaar is an event. It has more than 4,000 shops! There are plenty of soveneir shops in Istanbul, but none offer the excitement of this covered market. Because this is a tourist haven, shop keepers raise the asking price of the merchandise. This means you will have to bargain hard for a fair price. You might pay anywhere from 25-percent and 75-percent of the asking price. Whatever you find in one store, it can certainly be found in a dozen nearby shops. If you are looking for a water pipe, visit a couple shops with a good selection of them before actually negotiating. You can also say, "Hey, why would I pay you $10 when I get the same thing at the other store for $5" As soon as you turn your back to leave the store, the salesman will say "ok, ok, you have a deal."

    The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Kapali Carsi
  • Directions: The main entrance is near the University of Istanbul
  • Website: http://www.mygrandbazaar.net/
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    grand bazaar: Can Antik
  • Tip Rating:
  • chauncenetta
  • By chauncenetta on September 12, 2004
  • Istanbul Page by chauncenetta
  • dan and mike @ can antik - Istanbul
    dan and mike @ can antik
    by chauncenetta
    One day Dan & I, ranting and roaming at Le Grande Bazaar, came upon a quiet secluded corner to discover Can Antik and the owner Halil Can. I am a sucker for antique shops, can you just imagine such a shop at the Grande Bazaar. There Dan got yards of glistening opals & I chose old stones and a worn well crafted necklace of lapis of yore. Dan found a love like no other: Ezme. Serendipity being the main commodity of this magic store I can tell you it was enchanting but I can't tell you more.

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  • Theme: Antiques
  • Address: No. 34/36 Beyazit, Istanbul
  • Phone: 0090 212 512 58 28
  • Directions: find the Grand Bazaar and get lost
  • Website: www.canantik.com
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    grand bazaar: Grand Bazaar
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  • AcornMan
  • By AcornMan on April 26, 2004
  • Istanbul Page by AcornMan
  • Inside the Grand Bazaar - Istanbul
    Inside the Grand Bazaar
    by AcornMan
    One of the most fun things we did in Istanbul was visit the Grand Bazaar. You can easily spend half a day there, and even if you go in without any particular items in mind, chances are that you'll come across something you just have to take home with you. In our case we came out with several big bags of things we liked, and could easily have bought a whole lot more than that if we had room for it all.

    Although many stores sell things like leather goods, I wasn't interested in that kind of shopping because you can buy leather anywhere. What I looked for were things that you can't buy anywhere else in the world, and believe me when I say there's plenty in the Grand Bazaar that fits that category, including Turkish ceramics, paintings, carvings, jewelry, all kinds of art work, and of course lots of rugs.

    Remember that ALL the prices quoted by the merchants are negotiable. I spent a lot of time haggling for the things I bought. In some cases I got great deals and in others I overpaid, but it was always fun to barter nonetheless.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: The easiest way to get from Sultanahmet to the Grand Bazaar is via the Zeytinburnu tram uphill from Sultanahmet. Get off at the Carsikapi stop.
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    grand bazaar: The first mall of the world
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  • traveloturc
  • Updated By traveloturc on December 28, 2006
  • Istanbul Page by traveloturc
  • covered bazaar - Istanbul
    covered bazaar
    by traveloturc, 2 more photos
    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.

    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.

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: beyazit
  • Directions: Beyazit
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    grand bazaar: Shopping Heaven
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  • Hopkid
  • By Hopkid on April 19, 2008
  • Istanbul Page by Hopkid
  • grand bazaar - Istanbul
    by Hopkid,
    4 more photos
    This is the Super Bowl of shopping and all under one roof! Although perhaps not as rustic and romantic as the image one might have built up in their own minds, the Grand Bazaar is a place to be experienced and not to be missed even for the reputed non-shopper. Culturally it is fascinating: The banter from the shopkeepers to get you to look at their wares; walking along lanes that have housed shoppers since the 15th century; the sport of bargaining with a shopkeeper over a potential purchase; and the ever-present tea waiters, taking all types of tea on metal trays to shops who order them for their customers (and themselves).

    Definitely take the time to visit the older section of the Bazaar, the Cevahir Bedesteni. Dating from the 15th century you can see the exposed brick domed ceiling. It houses many small high quality jewelery, antique, and ceramic shops.

    I think we spent time in the Grand Bazaar on 3 of the 5 days we were in town. I think that's the key to surviving the Grand Bazaar...to do it in small doses. To try to do it in one outing would be mind-numbing for all but the most intense and serious of shopper.

    What can you buy here? With over 4000 shops, just about everything! Jewelery, antiques, football kits, ceramics, lamps, carpets, leather goods, tourist chotchke, food stuff, clothes, luggage, shoes, belly dancing outfits, watches. You name it!

    Varies; be sure to use your bargaining skills!

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Yaglikcilar Caddesi runs right through it
  • Directions: Take tram to Beyazit and walk a block or two north to one of the many entrances to the Grand Bazaar
  • Website: http://www.grandbazaarturkey.com/
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    grand bazaar: The Oldest Shopping Mall
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  • Erkmen
  • By Erkmen on November 7, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by Erkmen
  • Covered Bazzaar - Istanbul
    Covered Bazzaar
    by Erkmen
    Around 4000 Shops all in one Building.. the worlds oldest Shopping mall living with history..

    Covered Bazaar or as locals call Kapali Carsi is the main shopping center for tourists.. Also one of the worlds biggest gold market..

    Behind the Covered bazaar lays the walking bourse..

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  • Theme: Department Store
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    grand bazaar: Shopping in the covered market (Kapali Carsi)
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  • Bigjones
  • Updated By Bigjones on September 23, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by Bigjones
  • Grand Bazaar - Istanbul
    Grand Bazaar
    by Bigjones
    The Grand Bazaar really worths a visit. There you can find everything : turkish carpets, tea, nargile, belly dancer belts, scarfs, pottery, tiles, jewels, books etc. But don't forget to bargain ;-) And if you don't like shopping, just walk through the passageways and enjoy this colourful atmosphere.

    Depends on how good you can bargain ;-)

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  • Theme: Department Store
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    grand bazaar: Shopping with royal touch
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  • babar_1
  • By babar_1 on December 31, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by babar_1
  • grand bazaar - Istanbul
    by babar_1
    Istanbul is shopping paradise. The grand Bazar offers variety of Turkish traditional items and antiques. It is really fun to stroll around the narrow lanes of this wonderful covered bazar.

    If you don't have enough money...no problem....Just do window shopping

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  • Theme: Gifts
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    grand bazaar: nr.1 for Shopping
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  • Lion_Beat
  • By Lion_Beat on May 4, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by Lion_Beat
  • Kapali Carsi - Istanbul
    Kapali Carsi
    by Lion_Beat
    Most of the people do not come here for shopping, some of them are just passing by (making a shortcut through the bazaar), some of them are here as tourists not shoppers (just exploring). And I would say there are things to explore and see, even if you don't want to buy anything. You can take a walk in labirint of streets, streets in gold or silver, carpets or local crafts. And it's pretty much the same as it was hundreds years ago.

    You can buy for cheap silver here (if you know how!). Most of tourists buy T-shirts (with Istanbul inscription) from here. You can also buy small craft art itimes. Ask for NAZAR (The Evel eye to protect you, its blue/green color and its practically on every corner). Do not expect to find real antiques here!

    You already heard that you have to bargain here! And here is no exception... (esspecialy here)... there are no price tags here of course!
    Check on my 'How to bargain tip' if you want to leran how to buy things for less!

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: Kapali Carsi
  • Directions: You can enter from Beyazit Square or from Nuruosmaniye Blvd.
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    grand bazaar: The Grand Bazaar
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  • SirRichard
  • By SirRichard on May 8, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by SirRichard
  • One of the entrances - Istanbul
    One of the entrances
    by SirRichard
    The Grand Bazaar is a real MUST in Istanbul, even if you don’t plan to buy anything. Is a real city inside the city, with hundreds of little covered alleys, it’s got its own mosque, fountains, cafes, toilets… In the beginning every artisan group had its quarter and all the shops selling the same were together. Now most of them sell souvenirs, though there are still specific areas for carpets, jewels…

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: Ask anyone!
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