I knew what to expect when I was going to this shopping district, but I was just not in thr mood for the haggling. I wanted to walk around and check out the stuff maybe get something to eat and purchase 2 t-shirts. lol. However, that plan ended quickly. Window shopping in peace is not an option. Don't get me wrong. the locals are very sweet and everyone wants you to stop by their shop. Each section sells similar to the same products. I stopped to get my two shirts and the bidding started at $40 for two t-shirts. I just smiled said no thank you and left. lol. I absolutely could've stayed and played the back and forth haggling but I wasn't interested. I walked around got lost trying to get back to the tram because this place was huge. They sell just about any and everything. All I can say is I went and don't have to go back. lol. read more

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I don't get how there's less than stellar reviews about this place. What are the complaints? It's loud? Crowded? Yes, all those things, but it's a historical landmark/tourist trap/marketplace; it's like if Macy's was half a millennium (and counting!) old. I obviously looked/dressed/acted like a tourist so I knew I was definitely getting the tourist upcharge. However, there's 0 reason you can't do as the locals do and haggle. The larger stalls have seating, sit there, enjoy the tea but don't be afraid to say thank you and leave. There's plenty of other merchants that sell similar items. Speaking of, the lokrum here was somehow the best I had in Istanbul; believe me, I was hoping that it wouldn't be the case but it was. read more

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Tip: If you're visiting Istanbul for the first time, dropping by this bazaar is a must. It's a cultural experience! I visited Grand Bazaar back in November 2014, a few months after I had joined Yelp. Back then, I wasn't fully on Yelp. I was still trying to figure out what to do, so posting photos and writing reviews weren't the norm for me. I had booked my flight on Air Canada to and from Istanbul. It had a number of touristy ideas. One of them was doing a sightseeing tour. A bus would pick you up at your hotel and drop everyone off at one tourist attraction. You then walked to various attractions with your sightseeing group, with lunch being a mid-point stop along the way. The last stop was Grand Bazaar. We were given some time to shop. It was roughly two hours. We then met at the main entrance where the bus picked us all up and got us back to our hotels. Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered ones in the world. It is hectic, but impressive. What surprised me was shopping and given a glass of Turkish tea with a saucer to enjoy. On the house. Wow! I wasn't expecting it, but I loved the tea sipped traditionally from a glass and saucer. It was a bit cold in November, so it helped warm me up. I did end up buying a Turkish tea glass cup with a saucer, but not from this bazaar. I ended up going to another one and getting a set there. I had an iPhone 5 at the time. This bazaar had every iPhone case that you could possibly imagine. I went to town and got a few silicone cases featuring M&M's characters. I was elated. I kind of miss having so many phone case styles to choose from for my Google Pixel phones over the years. I will admit that I have saved a lot on accessories! I remember seeing handbags at one stall. One featured a rotary dial on the front. i thought it was fun and cute. There were a lot of stands with fragrant spices. I loved smelling them a I walked by. I got apple tea from this bazaar. I still remember how juicy it tasted when I steeped each tea packet. Istanbul is famous for its carpets. I had bought a small carpet from a store that was a part of the tour. It actually rolled up and fit in my luggage. This bazaar had a lot of carpet styles and sizes to choose from. I do miss Istanbul. This bazaar was a nice final stop to a wonderful walking tour. I'd love to return. (6) read more

Grand Bazaar - Entrance - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

The Grand Bazaar is located at a tram line T1 north of Beyazit station. I love walk from mosque to grand bazaar then take the tram back to my hotel. The bazaar entrance is very small. There are several of them. So watch out for the direction. The bazaar paths are many. You can pin the location on your phone before entrance to get back to original location or gate. This bazaar is big. The vendor here range from gift to jewelry. Many to choose from. The interior of the bazaar was beautiful on certain part. I was able to explore myself from one entrance and exit on the opposite gate. Many of the visitors are tourists. Not sure there much local residents there. read more

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This is a must see, must do while in Instanbul, but the shop owners and sales people while kind, are also aggressive. If you ignore them in English, they will try talking to you in Spanish. They immediately want to know where you are from (probably to adjust the price). If shopping for rugs or gold, it's imperative you haggle with them otherwise they will not respect you. I only bought costume jewelry, cocktail purses, some silk shawls, a cotton table cloth and pillow cases....I bought so much that I had to buy another suitcase. read more

Grand Bazaar - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

I overheard a French tour guide telling her tourists: "Le Grand Bazaar c'est genial!". I don't how if the Grand Bazaar is so great or if I am as enthusiastic as her, but I am glad I checked it out because I had to! You see it in every travel show about Istanbul, so you feel like you need to go and you do! It's easier to find, there are even signs for tourists on the streets (not as many as you'd like but...). We stumbled onto it after exiting the Egyptian Bazaar which we enjoyed more, but that's for later! I am glad we took a juice break between visiting the Bazaar-s because it ain't easy. We stopped for a freshly squeezed orange juice to get our strength in order to conquer the Grand Bazaar, the Beast of all the Bazaar-s in this world. There are decent eateries around and fruit stalls! I can tell you it's big, but it's way bigger that you can imagine! Than I thought! Once inside, there are 100 ways to walk it, many hallways, left, right, stay straight. You will probably wonder off, get lost, we did. It was crazy in there, the merchandise generic, expensive, I honestly felt overwhelmed. You do have some Turkish merchandise, but you'd be better off to buy similar items at the Egyptian Bazaar (or outside of it), it's cheaper and better quality! When we tried to exit, we didn't want to go back and the place has many entrances and exits, so we got lost. And this girl usually doesn't get lost easily. We ended up in a Grand Bazaar adjacent with more sellers and stalls of every designer brand copy of everything! It covers 61 streets and over 4,000 shops, dating from 1456! So no wonder! We got lost some more in a fashion like district, retract on a boulevard with a tram (the tram line helped me orient myself in Istanbul since street signs are scarce) and stumbled upon the Istanbul University area in Beyazit square with Sultan Beyazit Camii Mosque and later on the Column of Constantine because of the labyrinth that Grand Bazaar is! Which was good! Otherwise, we wouldn't have seen these historic places! I don't advice you to buy things here, watch the prices, the quality of products if you decide to do so. I liked the Spice Bazaar more and shopping there is easier! But you should explore it and might even get lost! That's the fun of the Grand Bazaar! C'est genial! read more

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What an amazing place this was. It was a cultural experience. The vendors are all very good at upselling lol. They have an art for it, or maybe it's me just wanting more. I noticed that they leave you alone if you tell them you are not interested. They don't push like you see on videos of the country. This is because of the amount of tourism this Bazaar has. The cruise ships, locals and tour groups all stop here at some point. The vendors know they are going to make a sale with someone and so they also don't have to lower their prices or push. Things have change in this market. The Grand Bazaar is like one long covered hall with many, many stands. You find mostly gold in the main hall. You find the most beautiful and unusual things here, pretty things. The roof is actually cool-looking. It is shaped like an arch. I mentioned it because when you go in, you get overwhelmed, and not many think about looking up. The main hall has halls in between. It is where you find other things. It is something to check out. I saw vendors that sold purses, scarfs, perfume, Turkish towels, toys, etc. To get here is crazy. The traffic is crazy. The market is in the middle of a hectic town with many shops. Rush our is something to consider here. I suggest to avoid it it. read more

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You know that feeling when you walk into a place and immediately think... yes, this is how I die. That's the Grand Bazaar. First off, 4000 stores. FOUR. THOUSAND. And here's the kicker: nobody is carrying bags. Not a tote, not a plastic sack, not even a sad little gift bag clutched in sweaty hands. Are people buying anything? Are they just practicing the ancient art of vibe commerce? Is it all a simulation? Questions without answers. Where do you start? Excellent question. Answer: you don't. You just enter one portal and hope you emerge from another dimension hours later, slightly dazed, wearing a knockoff Gucci belt, running from broken English and wondering what year it is. Also, shoutout to the architecture. I thought I was stepping into some ancient, bustling market from Ottoman times. Nope. Instead, I'm in a very clean, brightly lit shopping mall. By aisle 37 or possibly 742 but who's counting?, I was overwhelmed. All I could think was: Where's my helicopter, bruh. Get me outta here. Definitely bring flares for an emergency. read more

Grand Bazaar - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

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I don't know why the market is a MUST to visit in Istanbul. The huge market is well organized and clean. However, it ldid not do any magic to me. The traditional spice part is absolutely great but the fashion part is filled up with of fake luxurious brand names such as bags, clothes, perfumes etc unfortunately. Be very cautious of all sorts of scams. We encountered ice cream scam and shoe shining scam. Be street smart. Lol. The food is absolutely great! read more

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It's a huge labyrinth of shops with clusters of similar shops and in the more touristy areas the shop owners are kind of aggressive but the further and more distant you get from the central area and main entrance the more it becomes locals only. It's another must see Istanbul site, but you have to be mentally prepared for it, there's a lot of stimulation in terms of sights, sounds, smells, and, well you probably don't want to touch too many things. We made it an especially unique adventure on one of our three trips through here as we (we meaning the Chief of Staff who has taken up knitting) set out to find some yarn. We ended up far away from any tourists where a cluster of knitting related shops were on three levels in the same vicinity. We used a combination of Google Maps walking (limited by Google Maps only thinking in two dimensions like Khan in Star Trek), exploring and wandering, and asking for directions with the help of Google Translate (limited also by Google Translate's inability to understand context or dialect variations). When you get away from the places where tourists concentrate you also get away from the annoying guides (you absolutely do not need a guide, they just steer you to their network of stores) you find the best little Turkish coffee places and street food. read more

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Probably is meant more as a site seeing location rather than a serious buying location. Many of the shops are the same as well.

The oldest market in the world. Everything is more expensive inside and you have to haggle your price down anywhere and everywhere inside, but it is quite a sight to see, and you will be able to find any spice or tea imaginable. I must visit and see although you might want to purchase the same thing right outside of the market for a little bit cheaper. read more

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This is one of the most famous sites in Istanbul...it's the place to go for anything from food to jewelry to gold to lamps, to spices. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of over 330,000 square feet, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. A few years back, it was listed No.1 among the world's most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar at Istanbul is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world. We found it too big and too difficult to navigate. Still a fun place to shop for anything you want.... read more

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Gayle and I were lucky to have a guide the day we went to the Grand Bazaar. An equally interesting option would have been to enter this sprawling complex at some point and just spend the day getting lost is all the wonderful people, smells, sounds, and stuff. Outside is somewhere. Our guide knew her places and people well, while not feeling that we were being led around to any tourist traps. We stopped at a couple booths for some interesting spice and food representations, and then moved on to specific things Gayle and I were interested. Gayle came away with a gorgeous thin gold bracelet, of which price is only lightly negotiable. My choice was a "kippah" head piece and a small rug piece, of which I was successful at a nice price. Sitting with tea to go through it all with the shop guy was also fun. The Grand Bazaar in general is not one of those places where you take the first price offered, but Gayle and I don't negotiate well in these kind of environments. So we were pleased that our guide did most of that work very well on our behalf. At times we weren't sure whether we were in the Grand Bazaar proper, versus the various neighborhood off shoots. One satellite was what our guide called the "Man Market" - a few solid blocks of hardware stores. She also found us a quiet corner cafe for Lunch, a place that sold Turkish-made knives, and a crowded little place in the silver section that was piled high and wide with sterling "stuff". We mostly paid with a credit card and some vendors do share their machines. Cash is king as well, with Euros and Dollars being as popular as the Turkish currency. read more

Everyone is extremely friendly. However, you must hold your ground. Do not be afraid to negotiate. Make sure you ask for prices in LIRA only. Trust me, they have cheaper quality stores where you can get good deals, and then they have other stores where you can get luxury items for a good deal as well, but again negotiation. His key here. Do not be afraid. Do not be intimidated to negotiate an offer. A certain price ...you got this. Unless you're Rich, which I am not, but I was able to get a lot of amazing items for a good deal. I still spent a grip load, so don't feel bad, just remember that as long as you get a good deal.. unique stores as well aside from luxury items. I knocked off a point bc some of these guys are unprofessional lol, as a women traveler just hold your ground & be FIRM. It's safe read more

The Grand Bazaar is one of those vast shopping experiences that has been around forever. How the Grand Bazaar is designed is that you walk in through security and shop row after row of very tourist-orientated object. Each salesman tries to lure you into their shop. If you want Turkish rugs, they've got 'em. You want a fake Rolex, a fake Louis Vuitton, a fake whatever, they're everywhere. Shoes, shirts, purses, tee-shirts, jewelry, all kinds of stuff that you really don't need or want. It is really amusing! The down side to this place, and this is the case, (in my opinion), with all of Istanbul, is that everyone smokes. Every salesman is standing out in front of their shop with a cigarette in their hand. For those of us who try to stay health conscious, this is a bit disconcerting. But, what can you do? The Grand Bazaar is basically an indoor space. So, you are protected from the elements, if it is raining or something like that. But, not the heat. It can get pretty hot in there. I've been visiting Istanbul since 1984 and I can tell you, there has not been a lot of change at the Grand Bazaar in all of those years. It has really remained a staple of exhibiting a true Turkish shopping experience. Overall, whether your planning to buy something or not, this is a place you need to visit in you are in Istanbul as it is a true representation of Turkish culture. read more

The Grand Bazaar is too busy. It's difficult to get around. You will get better value elsewhere for shopping. Try Istiklal area. The people are friendlier there too. Beware of the Turkish delight vendors. They charge a very high price and they are not very transparent about their prices. I ended up overpaying for three rolls of Lokum and some almonds. I paid nearly $70 USD. For that price, I would have expected a better product. It was just ok. read more

Beautiful and ancient market. The place to be for anything you need while visiting Istanbul. Honestly could spend an entire day here getting lost. Pretty sure they have everything but things to prioritise should include jewelry, textiles, lamps, ceramics, rugs, spices, and Turkish delight. Can be a bit overwhelming as there are a lot of vendors selling the same types of items. Just follow your gut iand go into the shops with good vibes. Definitely barter if you can so I recommend getting comfortable with it. It's also okay to say no and walk away. Sellers at the shops we visited weren't as aggressive as in other countries I've been to but that could be subjective. There are also food options in the bazaar and even roaming people who you can order tea from and they will deliver to whatever shop you're in. read more

It actually 65 winding covered streets crammed with over 4,000 tiny shops, cafes, restaurants and mosques. Amazingly built in 1461 as probably the largest concentration of stores under one roof. Rebuilt twice in 1943 and 1954 because of fire. Be prepared to hounded by some of the most aggressive sales people. Also you must bargain. read more

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It's humongous, like an octopus, countless alleys. Vendors selling everything ... you can't leave and you can't find your way out ... smile Not sure I'd recommend it - I for one, doesn't really like shopping. We went by chance after visiting Nuruosmaniye. Many areas are being repaired. But the roofs that aren't being covered/repaired are enchanting. If you something you have to buy, you should buy it - it's not easy to find it in a maze. read more

Grand Bazaar - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

This is one of the oldest and biggest covered marketplaces in the world. It is impossible to describe the scale of the place adequately. It simply must be experienced. At first it seems like an endless maze but is a method to the madness and its not too difficult to find you way back if there is somethign you want to pull the trigger on. We had hired a guide for the day and this was our last stop. As she took us around it became pretty obvious she seemed to know everybody. The spice vendor she knew was fantastic I was able to pick up a a kg of salt free sumac for home that he let me sample, weighted out and vacume sealed for travel. Along with a ton of lokum samples that were delicious. My son was staying in our final stop in Florence for a few months and needed another towel. She showed us this out of the way shop that had fantastic towels of high quality and reasonable pricing. A silversmith that had been in the same family for 7 generations With the tour over we stayed to wander ourselves. It was fun and corwded for sure. The ebb and flow of merchants, customers, and the vendors bringing trays of tea to shop keepers was mesmerizing. On the downside it is packed, and it became rapidly apparent that many of the shops are selling exactly the same stuff literally as if they all ordered out of the same book. It was an experience and I am happy we were able to walk about this incredible menagerie read more

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Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is a must see/do experience! We went went with a friend from Istanbul and his family. It's by far the largest covered market I've experienced. The Bazaar is a labyrinth of alleys, each lined with shops selling a variety of goods, including jewelry, watches, carpets, spices, antiques, candies, and more. We spent about two hours here, and I don't think we covered everything. Our friend was a great guide. Tired? Stop at one of the cafés and relax with a Turkish coffee or tea. read more

While it's an interesting place to visit, I was a bit disappointed at how modernized it was. I expected something a bit more historic and rustic. There is a smaller part in the middle that looks a bit older and sells antiques. Overall, the prices are about 40-50% higher than in regular shops. read more

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Before entered we were among the crowd trying to get through the metal detect. The Grand Bazaar was so crowded we were being pushed through the crowds. We went inside looking for spices, teas & Turkish housewares for gifts. We found what we were looking for & even on the way out hawkers we're in our faces selling things we didn't want. This is one of the largest & oldest covered markets in the world. It has 61 covered streets. There are between 3,000 & 4,000 shops, it's 12 square miles large, The bazaar sees between 250,000 & 400,000 visitors daily. It is one among the world's most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. In the bazaar we passed spices, rugs, housewares, wood carvings, jewelry, games, toys, clothing, shoes... anything & everything can be found here. However, it is difficult to find our way out & is easy to get lost here. read more

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Grand Bazaar is a magical experience like no other. To start I will say, it can be a bit overwhelming. Filled with spices, desserts, gifts, ceramics and sellers yelling to welcome you into their stores you'll find a plethora of options to choose from and everything is concept was quite fascinating to me. It's huge! So many different spots and options to choose from, but so cool. I was able to purchase some tea, sweets, nuts, and spices that were all amazing. Prices may be a bit more expensive than other spots but in my opinion, I was paying for the experience as well. It's very clean and the light is bright, everyone is so friendly. I'd definitely recommend going at least once when you visit Istanbul. read more

I found the Grand Bazaar, known in Turkish as Kapalıçarşı, to be equal parts thrilling and entirely overwhelming. I'll be the first to admit that I'm an American spoiled by air conditioning and similar commonplace features that can be luxuries in places like Türkiye. The Bazaar is massive beyond comprehension and we only saw what I believe was a small portion of it. It has goods ranging from Turkish sweets and spices to luxurious souvenirs such as Turkish pottery and textiles. I picked up a small lamp, some jewelry for loved ones, artwork, a small rug, and much more. If it was a cooler or calmer day, I could have spent hours upon hours here contributing to the local economy. Be prepared to be accosted by merchants trying to steer you towards their shop, often equipped with sassy remarks if you decline. I was able to use my credit card at all booths I visited with no issue. Great, but overwhelming, experience. read more

As the worlds largest indoor bazaar, how can you visit in Istanbul without seeing the grand bazaar?! This beautiful and old market is definitely something you have to visit before leaving in Istanbul. It would be a sin to visit all of the historical sites and not include the Grant Bazaar in your itinerary. I will say to be careful as they do charge extremely high prices to tourists, of course. I would not buy anything until I get comfortable bargaining and check out a good portion of the bazaar, coming back to purchase from the from the merchant that gives you the best deal. Happy touring and hustling! read more

If in Turkey, you must stop at the Grand Bazaar. It's so big and so overwhelming but in a good way. If you're into shopping designate a few hours to spend here. There are hundreds of shops and the place is huge! After a while you do realize they sell some of the same things but the items are great. They have everything from tea to rugs, to ceramic dishes to purses. There are also some cafes and restaurants inside. read more

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This review is a little overdue, it was sitting in my drafts for a bit but even before visiting it, I was beyond excited to visit such a historic establishment. The GB is a couple short stops away from the Hagia Sophia via the tram which is around 7£ per person in /September/October when I went. Although, I suggest if your hotel is nearby (we stayed at the 4 seasons Sultanahmet) you have the opportunity to visit all the shops and restaurants located on the main strip. Most people that visit Turkey know the GB is one of the largest and oldest shopping bazaars and the architectural side of it is amazing, however, it wasn't my cup of tea since I honestly dislike the smell of cigarettes ( yes, Turkey is ranked pretty high in smoking) but I came to visit the rich history it offers. I wasn't able to rummage through the whole bazaar but they sold everything you could think of from spices, clothing, jewelry, antiques, rugs, and much more however, they also sold a lot of off brand items for cheap prices. What I love about Turkey is the friendly vibe, most of the shop owners offered us tea when looking around but now that I think about it Im sure it was because we had our own personal tour guide and it seemed like she knew everyone, LOL. We ate at a little restaurant inside and it was probably my highlight for the day... the food in Turkey is affordable and extremely delicious! Unfortunately, I most likely would skip the GB next time I visit Turkey. read more

Grand Bazaar - Restaurant inside Grand Bazaar - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

I would recommend seeing the Grand Bazaar at least once in your lifetime. The centuries old building plus the many additions over the years, makes this a giant maze of small shops carrying items you just can't imagine. They are many signs in the neighborhood that direct you to different entrances. It doesn't matter where you start. The tile floors can be slick, especially when just opening in the morning due to the shopkeepers washing them. As of 2021, they have started some immense restoration work. Mending the plaster ceilings and bringing back the beautiful painted designs. There's plenty of spice, teas, scarfs, silver and gold stores. If you have enjoyed the Turkish coffee, he might be the spot to pick up your coffee pot. Currently $100 US is about 900TL. So there can be some great bargains found on leather and fur goods. This made it awkward for me to bargain down the price of a things, they were already a great buy or right on track. The outer perimeter is fresh food market. Here you'll see so many colorful olives- like pink and purple. The butcher had a goat head in the case. The fruits and vegetables are so fresh. Do expect almost every shopkeeper to invite you into his store. There's a ton of great lines. It's up to you to make eye contact or talk to them. Go with a sense of humor, they are just trying to make a living for their family. Enjoy the visit. Don't worry, you will get lost. But eventually you'll get outside again. read more

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The original shopping mall, though to call it that certainly does not do it justice. The Grand Bazaar is a marvel! My mom and I visited here two or three times to wander through, see shops we hadn't already, and buy gifts for ourselves or others. I love this place and hope it doesn't change! There are dozens of streets and thousands of shops. It's one of the most visited places in the world, so you'll see lots of people here, but I didn't find it overwhelming. Like so many places in Istanbul, it was constructed in the 15th century and was initially focused on trade for jewelry and textiles. Both of those things still remain, of course; in addition you'll find food (tea, snacks, some spices, etc.), furniture/carpets, books, silly touristy stuff... there was even a MAC Cosmetics stall when I was there. I'm not very comfortable haggling at all, because I simply don't know how to do it, but be prepared for that here. I probably overpaid or otherwise bungled it all because of my discomfort. I loved wandering the Bazaar simply to people watch as well as to find beautiful things. The one thing that seemed to be missing--though perhaps has been added in or near in the last 9 years--is a bathroom. But we made it! There is so much to see here, you could spend hours just wandering. Look around not just at the stalls but at the structure itself, because it's beautifully decorated. And this may make me weird, but when I am in these buildings, parks, and so on that have been around for half a century I am somewhat in awe, contemplating all the people who have been there, everything that this place has seen, and all the history that has taken place there. The Grand Bazaar is only a few minutes walk from the Hippodrome (where Sultan Ahmet mosque and the Hagia Sophia are). It's also right by Nuruosmaniye mosque, as well as the train station. For something uniquely Istanbul, a visit to wander the halls and stalls of the Grand Bazaar is a must. read more

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Who is giving this four or higher stars? Yes, it has a few thousand shops. Yes, there isn't a map that breaks down all the stores,although there are ones, that identify the sections by color. Yes, you can find knock-off expensive purses etc., and yes, if you are looking for schlock, gold, silver, leather, "antiques", more schlock- this is the place for you. If you choose to eat at any of the places in there, expect to be overcharged. For example, we went to some restaurant and the spouse had a chicken kabob, which consisted of four cubes of bbq chicken breast, cold fries, cold rice, a pepper (hot, as if you eat, your mouth and taste buds will cease to exist) and three strips of pita. The price point is 475 Turkish Liara. The pp should be between 290 and 320. Expect some smoke smell, like folks smoking. Otherwise it's clean. And yeah it's old. Take the tram to get there. It's literally a minute walk from the tram exit. If you want a better experience go to the Spice Bazzar. It's old too. read more

Built in the 1400s The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, a tourist landmark and home to more fake designer goods than all of North America combined. At one time a respectable place of business, vendors now push $300 "Patek Philippe" alongside Louis Vuitton Air Force Ones at 1/50th retail. If you see a person you know can't afford Audemars wearing one it very well may have come from here. Sure there is history, deals on nazar and Turkish Delight, but all that is lost by watered down Tom Ford Oud at $25 sold by admittedly hilarious salesmen. Fun for a look, but buyer beware unless you like fakes. read more

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More than 1000 shops. From sweets, lamps, spices, purses scarves, jewelry, decor this place definitely has everything. I walked in and didn't no where to start. My eyes were filled with wonder as there was definitely so much to see. It gets super crowded when you walk through so it's advisable to make sure you keep all of your belongings safe and in front of you. The prices here are so cheap. It the quality is amazing. There are cafes, bakeries and restaurants. You would never be bored here. One thing is that you definitely have to bargain. Do not just accept the first price. It's all about negotiating here. You can however find anything and the quality is great. It's definitely a must see place. read more

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We strolled through this market in April 2024 to check out all the great things that are sold here. It's a spectacle, lots of jewelry, gold, lights, and rugs, clothing and more. We did not buy anything but just walked through to get a feel for the indoor market. Glad it was very clean! read more

The Grand Bazaar is one of the most famous markets in the world and one of the oldest that many people come and visit when they are in Istanbul, Turkey. I went here just to see what this is all about but found that we'll it was very overwhelming for me. The number of people here was insane and people are right next to you touching shoulder to shoulder. I felt that even when we went into a store the prices were extremely high because we were tourists and it wasn't worth it to me personally. We did know that they want you to haggle with the price but I'm not really into that. I would like it to be a price that is set but hey maybe a lot of people like to haggle. They do sell everything though in this place and it is quite large that you will be able to find jackets, clothes, bags, food, teas, snacks, and almost anything you can think of. read more

Quite the experience. Sensory overload to be frank. Colors, smells (good ones) Turkish delight, tea, jewelry, leather, scarves, rugs, lamps spices and vendor after vendor after vendor all doing everything they can to get you into their shops. It falls into the "one and done" category for me but so glad I didn't miss it. read more

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A wonderful spectacle and a must see for American travelers. They are politely pushy for a sale, but if you need something they will hunt it down for you. I normally veer away from these types of places, but not this one it was fascinating. This was my first time in Turkey so it was a little intimidating, but I was born and raised in the Haight/Ashbury in the 60's so the oddness of the multi-diverse cultures clashing into one spot and cohabitating was not the culture shock for me as was the labyrinth of the neighborhoods and areas. The cabs have a hard enough time and they know the areas. read more

Grand Bazaar - Shopping Passages Near Me - Istanbul, 34

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Must see if you love to shop! Amazing experience. Bring extra cash! Tons of unique finds. If you want better prices, shop around on the streets outside of the bazar. read more

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My husband and I visited here twice while in Istanbul. Once with our guide who showed us to her favorite spots around the Bazaar and again a few days later to purchase gifts for ourselves and our loved ones before we left. There are over 4000 shops in this famed "shopping mall" of Istanbul. It's historical, it's crowded, and it's amazing. It's like a maze inside with several entrances at several key points and numbered stalls for you to find your way around. It's easy to get lost but you can quickly right yourself or ask for directs and friendly shopkeepers will set you straight. Most shops have English speakers so you don't have to worry about that and you can haggle most prices a bit with them. We found everything we were looking for and tons of things we weren't inside. You can literally find anything and ask around and someone will take you somewhere to find it. Antique jewelry? Sure. Pots and pans and glassware? Ok. Nice fine diamonds, easy. Gold, of course. Tiles and pottery, duh. Lamps of all kinds, easy. I could keep going but you get the point. A must visit while in Istanbul - be prepared to be overwhelmed and be sure to bring cards and cash. If you only have American Express, bring a Visa as a back-up as some of the stalls won't take AMEX due to their higher fees. read more