Sharing a square with the New Mosque near the tip of Istanbul's Golden Horn, the Spice Market has catered to travelers seeking a taste of the globe since 1663. The market's location has remained unchanged for centuries, cementing the site as the focal point of Istanbul's rich history, having functioned as the central hub for Medieval spice traders. Heaps of brightly colored spices, vessels overflowing with nuts and boundless pyramids of Turkish delicacies are harmoniously crammed side by side, under lanterns suspending from arched ceilings casting a mellow glow throughout the market. Owing to its monumental sprawl, Spice Market's collection is nearly limitless, luring droves of locals and tourists who test out mounds of exotic tea, sample a variety of rich dryfruits, experiment with sweetened baklavas, or even simply saunter through its labyrinthine alleyways. Resting behind a quintessentially Turkish dome-topped facade, Spice Bazaar is one of the largest of its kind in the city, hence attesting to the country’s long-standing mercantile history.

Los pasillos adornados con lámparas del Gran Bazar de Estambul ofrecen desde relojes de plata hasta alfombras con hermosos diseños, teteras turcas de filigrana y lámparas otomanas, por lo que son el hogar de los tesoros más preciados de la ciudad. En este paraíso de las compras, los arcos y las paredes están enteramente cubiertos de productos y suvenires tradicionales turcos. Una caminata por estos pasillos de estilo medieval maravilla y deleita a los visitantes. Los bedesten, o mercados, datan de los tiempos prósperos del siglo XV, cuando el Gran Bazar fue propuesto para su construcción por el Sultán Mehmed, en un intento de fomentar el progreso económico en lo que era la ciudad de Constantinopla. Hoy en día, este mercado es uno de los más antiguos y grandes del mundo, y sus pasillos cuentan con casi 4000 comercios y 61 calles y pasillos para recorrer.

Take a leisurely walk through Arasta Bazaar and pick up amazing souvenirs to take home. This market is more relaxed than others in the city and attracts visitors who would rather not deal with huge crowds. Textiles, spices, clothing, accessories, jewelry, hookahs, and other Turkish specialties can be found here. It's a great shopping destination in Istanbul.

Nestled on the city's Asian side, Kadıköy Market is a bustling bazaar that offers a sensory journey through Turkey's rich culinary and artisanal traditions. As you stroll through the market, you will come across stalls brimming with colorful spices, aromatic teas, and tantalizing street food while artisans craft intricate textiles and jewelry. Its lively ambiance is matched only by its historical significance, tracing its roots back centuries.

Outside the Grand Bazaar sits an important store that houses some of the best and rarest Turkish and Ottoman literature you can find in the city of Istanbul. With first editions, old university books and historical texts, the Bevazit Sahaflar Carsisi is a great place to get lost in for hours. Part of the draw here is the young university scene that makes this old bookstore seem vibrant and hip.