Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the most favorite touristic sights to see while enjoying Istanbul.
I still remember my first visit to this famous bazaar back in 1972 while I was free camping in Europe. I was impressed then and still today this special and old bazaar is very special.
The bazaar is extremely clean and all the shops remain open even during this difficult time for all shop owners. There crowds simply were not present as in the pasts and this is due totally to the current Corona Virus Pandemic!
We witnessed that the vast majority of tourist and shop owners were all wearing masks.
The majority of the shops within the marketplace were either “Turkish Delight” Sweet Shops; Spice Shops or clothing Stores. And as in the past all the owners were out in front of their shops plying to have the tourist enter their small shop.
Still I strongly suggest if in Istanbul, especially for the first time, to enjoy an hour or two walking in this amazing bazaar, you will not be disappointed.

The actual Grand Bazaar is the closed market. Prices of all products in these shops are very expensive. Fortunately, we visited another place in Istanbul before going to Grand Bazaar & encountered souvenir shops where same products were available for lesser price. So our visit to the Bazaar was limited to admiring the beauty & variety of things. There are huge number of shops outside the grand bazaar (an extension of the bazaar) & we found souvenirs for lesser prices in these shops.

We walked so much that we ended up at the Egyptian bazaar which had a line of Turkish Delight (Lokum sweet) & dry fruits stores. The prices here are the best, so do not hesitate to buy them in bulk quantities. These sweets do not require refrigeration & stay fresh for upto 6 months, hence serve as good gifts for friends & family. We bought them from Sukru Efendi store which is a 100-year old store. They have boxes of various sizes & do air-tight packing good enough for flight travel.

The bazaars are EXREMELY packed & you can easily walk 20000 steps, so would be best not to bring along kids & senior citizens if possible. The Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar & Egyptian Bazaar are located next to each other, you cannot demarcate where one stops & the other starts. So, keep walking & enjoy the shopping experience.

This market sells many things from handycraft souvenirs, turkish delights, fashion products, leather goods, and many more.
There are also cafes and restaurant at the premise in case you need to refresh yourselves.
Remember to politely bargain the price with the seller to get better offer.
Please be mindfull of your valuable belonging to avoid falling victim to pickpocket.
As the market consist of many alleys, don't forget to remember the number of the gate when you first enter the market.
It will be easier for you to find your way back after shopping.

We visited the famous grand bazaar but we were so disappointed. The bazaar has lots of fake European and American brands. The prices for souvenirs were expensive. The place did not live to its high expectations and hype. We settled for a cake and tea at some local eatery. I would not recommend a visit to the Grand Bazaar, it's a waste of time unless you are into fake over priced brands.

When I initially entered the ‘Grand Bazaar’ to google maps, I was surprised at how big the actual area was. In addition, although the original enclosed Bazaar area has now been supplemented by an enormous expansion of shops and markets around its periphery, you could easily spend an entire day here with ease. The sheer variety of shops, cafes, outlets and markets is mind boggling, and there is literally a shop for every item. Want spices, sure, want designer underwear, tick, buy an original silk carpet, absolutely - your wallet will be much lighter at the end! Overall, I’d say the prices were about 50-60% less than in mainland Europe - probably due to no VAT, cheaper overheads and closer manufacturing, but we felt safe, secure and entertained in equal measure. Don’t be scared to barter, as we soon found that it was easy to achieve an average discount of 50% off the original asking price, just make it polite and be prepared to walk away. A definite must when you visit Istanbul.

You can not even breath or move in this labyrinth let alone shop! We went into a spice souk I kept asking how much is it? As the man was scooping in the powders, the whole in the end will weigh it in the end will weigh it. Ok 4 powders of spices £100 come on are you having a laugh!? Not even a kilo small bags we are talking about I was thinking £15-30 max max. I said no way! Am I paying that. Stand your ground. They will get angry they will say “ it’s only money” I would rather put that £100 towards a charity box than give it to you guys that have floor to celings of this powder.

The Sad thing was I can hear other tourists spending £100-300 on spices and sweets. The way they move and over fill peoples bags even though you say a small bag. It’s a crazy scam! By all means we shopped in other places other local shops, had a great time and I am NOT frugal by any means BUT £100on chicken spice salad spice, fish spice and Turkish spice I am not a fool with my hard earned money. After trying to embarrass us and making us look cheap in the shop in front of other tourists. He said we don’t need your money. Of course your not going to get it! If he told it was £25 a small bag of spice we would have stopped. Fact he REFUSED to tell us the price till he weighed all 4 at the end. Their intentions isn’t the best and than the whole can’t put it back it’s air sealed,

Absolutely everything is crazy high it makes you question are they joking!? Eg a bag they will say 800 ( assuming it’s liras) you will look at it than they will say 800 euros!? Bags are from £200-£900. They can get very angry and rude when you mention your budget. Saw a lovely key ring when I asked the price it was £85 the whole it’s real leather.

NOTHING is below £20 not the best place to get gifts. I absolutely
Over shopping but this place was terrible, they were like vultures at times and it wasn’t a nice afternoon. The best thing was leaving and having a Turkish tea away from this mad house.

locals NEVER shop there one worker there a lovely old man said “as you are tourists they will charge you phenomenal high prices. That’s why Turks stay clear and stuck to their local bazar.

Lovely little stalls in taksim for shopping x5 cheaper

Take pictures enjoy the madness but shopping no way.

Grand bazaar or else Kapalicarsi is a well known market place in Istanbul but I really don’t recommend to go for shopping or spend lot of hours there.
The only thing that worths there is that you can take a photo with the famous Turkish lamps.
Everything is overpriced and you really need to bargain to buy something. Even the smallest thing they will try to sell it you 20x times more the price that you will get it If you bargain.
And I say. Does this worth? Absolutely not! Everything is fake inside there. Even the food.
Outside this bazaar you can find better prices for sure and If you inside for exchange currency you will definitely find better rates outside too.
I went one time in my trip and definitely I didn’t want to go again. Worth a visit to see what’s going on there but that’s all.

If you like shopping for cloths, jewelry, leather, silk products, hand made decorative plates, or even authentic and delicious tea. The Grand Bazaar is a must see !, huge venues some are inside other shops are outside. My best advice is to search for the local products which is very Well made and priced fairly. You can and must baragin to get the best deal.. Excellent leather jackets when it comes to material and design. There is many shops and a ton of things to see. It will take 4-5 days to explore such great place, lots of friendly shop owners and sales that will grab you to buy their products. Beware though, don't try to buy any cologne or perfume not authentic. I Would highly advice to carry enough cash ( Turkish Lira) in order to get the best deal on products. Even if you are not in shopping, the Grand Bazaar is certainly a place that must be visited to experience local products and great and delicious food!

This place is great fun if you have the ability to say no and stick to it.
Some good bargains and haggling to be had here, with fantastic banter.
All in all worth a visit, even just to admire the architecture.
Start haggling at 50% or less of their starting price!

Its a very big market with almost everything you need, from food (Egyptian Bazzar) to clothes, accessories and much more. Always bargain for the best price. You will find good quality garments if you look inside the Bazzar. I got a genuine leather jacket for a very good price, its Marlboro style for around 150 USD, which is perfect compared to the quality.