Egyptian (Spice) Market, Istanbul

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Spice Bazaar is one of the most colorful spots of Istanbul, which every local and tourist has to see and taste the amazing atmosphere .... :)

Its the second large covered bazaar in city after Grand Bazaar.

Here you can watch my HD Video of "Spice Market" ... :

Video

The Spice Bazaar is an “L”-shaped building, consisting of 88 vaulted rooms, almost all of which are now divided into an upper and lower story. Monumental gateways are at the ends of both halls, with chambers above each entrance way. The main entrance is in the southwest corner, facing the Yeni Mosque.

There are several documents suggesting the name of the bazaar was first "New Bazaar".

The building was endowed to the foundation of the New Mosque, and got its name because it was built with the revenues from Egypt. The word mısır has a double meaning in Turkish: "Egypt" and "maize". The bazaar was (and still is) the center for spice trade in Istanbul, but in the last years more and more shops of other type are replacing the spice shops.

A nice place to spend time, walk around, taste the Turkish Delight offers of the vendors, have a sip of a Turkish Tea or Coffee and to enjoy the day .... :)

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After Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi) is the city's second largest covered market.

Its history dates back to 1664 when the market was completed after 67 years of construction. At that time it was part of the New Mosque (Yeni Camii).

Products on offer mainly include spices, dried fruits, nuts and Turkish delight (Lokum).

Directions:
The Egyptian Spice Market can be found in the neighbourhood of the New Mosque. Both are situated near the southern end of the Galata Bridge in Istanbul's Eminönü district.

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Spice market, differently, Egyptian market, is the most exotic visited markets in Istanbul, filled with a smell of spice and different food (sweets, vegetables, so on). It was built in 1664 in quite comfortable place to have a business (near Galata bridge, where a lot of passengers arrived by boats)

Name of Egyptian market is due to fact that most of spices were imported through Egypt.

I have bought couple of spice packs and Turkish lokum (sweets) as souvenirs.

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There are many reveiewss on the history of the Spice Bazaar, wo I will not bore you with it. I do want to share with you a tip if you are buying SAFFRON. Get ii from "Arifoglu" number 31 in the Bazaar. I personally met the young man (Teslim Sarigol) and he did right by me. I purchased 1 gram each for myself and a friend (25 lira) each but 10 USA cheaper than the 1 gram here at home. How about Scarves? Well I went to Number 61 or 65 and there was a 5 lira sale gong on and I purchased scarves that they were going out of style. Inside the very nicely furnished shop, there are gorgeous 100% Silk scarves that were a bit out of my spending realm. ( I will just have to save up for next time). I enjoyed walking around looking at all the people, though it is pretty much the same merchandise as the Grand Bazaar. I did go outside and turned left and began walking up the outside streets. That is where it is really exciting. Need a Gold fish for the kids?. They have them. How about a bunny rabbit? They are there also. The side streets are busy, but more layed back. I wound up in front of a Scarf and Jewelry Shop, that I ended up speding a small fortune, the prices were so very good. Again, beautiful scarves and Necklaces about 10 Lira. Shoppers Paradise. Have a great Time!

Perfect combination with the bosphorus ride, as it is just in front of eminonu. Once you get in, the colors, the odors, and the crowds will get you in a true oriental mood. A great place for purchasing souvenirs and gifts , you have to bargain to less than 50% and don't be embarrassed, they will sell it to you especially if you want more than one piece.

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We found the Spice Bazaar to be far more interesting than the over-hyped Grand Bazaar. It's also a bit smaller and more manageable. There are ample shops selling pure spices where you can haggle over prices and have sample tastings. There are also fish shops and many other grocery stalls in the neighbourhood. Great photo opps.

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Misir Çarsisi is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in Eminönü, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt in the Ottoman period, the name was favoured by the public. The Spice Bazaar is an “L”-shaped building, consisting of 88 vaulted rooms, almost all of which are now divided into an upper and lower story. The bazaar is the center for spice trade in Istanbul. You can also find some special local delights and desserts. The aroma of various spices mix with each other and you feel yourself dizzy with this beautiful scent.

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The Spice Bazaar also known as the Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. It can be found in a large L shaped building at the Eminönü end of the Galata Bridge. This market is the second largest indoor market in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar.

The name Egyptian Bazaar is likely to have originated during the Ottoman period, when most spices would have come from Egypt. The Turkish name is Mýsýr Çarþýsý with Misir meaning Egypt. However, it also means maize which accounts for the occasional mis-translation as Corn Bazaar.

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The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. There are several documents suggesting the name of the bazaar was first called the "New Bazaar". However, due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt in the Ottoman period it then acquired its current name. It was built by architect Mustafa in 1660 and consists of 88 vaulted rooms. For me, I preferred it over its bigger cousin, the Grand Bazaar, as it’s smaller and has a more personal feel. It's full of shops selling spices (naturally!), dried fruits, perfume oils, nougat, Turkish Delight, and honey.

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The L-shaped covered bazaar, Mısır Çarşısı, is Istanbul's second market (pronounced "Missir Tchar-shi-si"). It was built in 1660 as part of the neighbouring Yeni Valide Camii, the New Mosque, to provide revenues to support its charitable functions. Although commonly referred to in English as the Spice Market, its original traded commodity, Mısır Çarşısı actually means "Egyptian Bazaar". It took on this name because its construction was funded by duties collected on Egyptian imports. A few shops at Mısır Çarşısı continue to sell spices, along with lokum (Turkish delight) and other delicacies, but the rest now sell all sorts of other products, not too dissimilar to Kapalıçarşı, the Grand Bazaar.