Explore Turkey's most unique and famous Grand Bazaar market
The Grand Bazaar market with more than 4,000 stalls, 12 gates and 64 streets selling different items makes you overwhelmed and attracted to the world of color.
History of the Grand Bazaar market
Grand Bazaar is the oldest market in Turkey as well as in the world, it was built in 1455 in the 15th century by the direction of King Sultan Mehmed. This name in Turkish means indoor market, just as the unique architecture is built by the feat of this market. Building materials are mainly brick and wood characteristic of Ottoman, with closed dome decorated with bold traditional Turkish patterns.
The Grand Bazaar market was completed and put into use in 1461 with a small number of items for sale. At that time, the king also built a new adjacent market to trade in Turkish brocade. But then, because people sold stalls in the middle of the two markets, they were gradually combined together, forming a famous complex of busy commercial centers in the world.
This market serves the diverse shopping needs not only of people but also tourists everywhereIn the 17th century, under King Suleima, King Suleima aimed to meet the increasingly high demand for shopping, the scale was expanded to this day. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, this market was very busy, an important trading place throughout the Mediterranean. As the oldest and oldest market not only in Turkey but also in the world, up to now, it is still very busy.
The business place attracts a lot of tourists
Thanks to the large space, diverse and attractive stalls, this place attracts extremely crowded tourists. At a time, this market became the largest tourist destination in Tho with more than 91 million people visiting in 1 year. Turkish Grand Bazaar Market can meet all your shopping needs from: ceramics, furniture, lamps, fabrics, jewelry, towels, ...
When entering the market, wherever you are, you will see the vibrant and bustling atmosphere like a miniature city, buyers are invited and tourists check in and visit. From the outside you can choose to enter from the main gate called the treasure gate - Nuruosmaniye Gate. There are booths specializing in selling all kinds of sparkling golden jewelry and accessories.
Or head to the oldest downtown area of the Grand Bazaar market . A place to trade antiques and valuable items. But today, there are many other stalls also selling these items, creating a busy neighborhood. The place where collectors or the rich most often visit to find the right item to bring back.
A special feature is that each street in the market has a name representing the industry where it trades. Since the opening of the door, it was set for a Turkish craft such as pearl street, jewelry street, ... Now, although the types of goods changed, only the name remains, but overall you It is still possible to see the characteristics of each shopping district thanks to the layout, color, ...
Visiting and shopping at the Grand Bazaar market, do not forget to enjoy the traditional black tea typical of Istanbul as well as Turkey. It's like buying a tea or coffee maker that's featured here. Besides, there are many types of items for you to buy for yourself as well as your family such as:
- Colorful hand-painted colorful hand-painted Turkish ceramics products: dishes, cups, statues, wall hangings, ...
- The chandeliers, glass table lamps have colorful patterns and diverse classical designs.
- Devil's eye charms, traditional paintings, musical instruments and flutes, smoking pipes.
- Handmade sauna soaps, perfumes, aromatic spices, towels, fabrics, woven carpet.
- Taste and buy small and colorful Turkish delight marshmallows.
Not only a shopping place, inside the Grand Bazaar market also contains a long-standing cultural and historical heritage of Istanbul as well as Turks. Do not forget to visit 2 famous Mosques, drinking springs. Especially time to go to public baths or restaurants, shops, cafes in the Turkish style, ... to have a unique experience.
Thousands of stalls are only sold by men
There is a special feature that you can see when coming to this market in Turkey that the vendors are only men. This is because from the past until now, according to Islam, trading is not a job for women. However, do not see that the seller is a man but is afraid to pay the price because the seller here is very challenging, so if you know how to buy, you can bring expensive items at a great price.
Some note when visiting, shopping at Grand Bazaar market
- This market is open from 9am to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday every week. And will be closed on Sundays and especially the first day of the Muslim mass so you should avoid going at these times so that you won't be in vain.
- The market is very crowded, so it cannot avoid cases such as robbery, pickpockets. Although you are currently protected when entering or exiting, you need to take care of yourself and take care of your belongings or bags when you carry them.
- Remember to pay the price when buying at Grand Bazaar , paying down about 1/3 of the selling price.
- To get here you can choose: take a taxi or take a train called Tramway T1 to Beyazit station, then get off and just go a little further to arrive.
The country has a diverse culture between Asia and Europe, perhaps so not only the culture, the place to visit, but the variety of goods is equally diverse. Try once coming to this market on your upcoming Turkish tour , you will certainly be attracted to not want to leave. And especially brought me a lot of items that I can't find anywhere else.
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