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.
Kapalıçarsı is Turkije's grootste overdekte markt die zo'n 4000 winkels herbergt met luxe Turkse tapijten, delicaat aardewerk, glanzende messingwaren, handgemaakte nargiles, edelstenen, lederwaren, lampen en nog ontelbaar veel meer. Een plek zo groot als dit heeft meerdere ingangen, hoewel de meeste mensen via de Nuruosmaniye Gate binnenkomen. Gebruikelijk is om nooit direct akkoord te gaan met de prijs die de verkoper vraagt. Hij verwacht dat u met hem onderhandelt en dat is dan ook wat u moet doen. Doe het vriendelijk en redelijk (vraag niet om meer dan 50 procent korting), en u bent er van verzekerd de plek te verlaten met het artikel voor een redelijke prijs. Alle betalingen zijn in contanten, en de winkels die wel creditkaarten accepteren, accepteren alleen de grote maatschappijen. De bazaar heeft ook restaurants die worden bezocht door zowel toeristen als de lokale bevolking.
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.