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The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. It sits between Beyazıt Square and Çemberlitaş in Istanbul, Turkey.
Introduction to the Grand Bazaar
In Turkish, the Grand Bazaar is known as the Covered Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı). It holds more than 4,000 shops employing roughly 26,000 people. Spanning 61 streets and covering 30,700 square meters, it welcomes between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors each day.
Visiting the Grand Bazaar
The bazaar is open daily, except on Sundays and bank holidays, from 9am to 7pm. You can reach it via the T1 tram line at the Beyazıt/Grand Bazaar and Çemberlitaş stops.
History of the Bazaar
Construction of the bazaar began in 1455 and was completed by the winter of 1461. Its revenues were intended to support Hagia Sophia, which had been converted into a mosque after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.
The Grand Bazaar took its present form at the beginning of the 17th century. It featured 18 gates, seven fountains, and five mosques. Several hans (caravanserais) popped up around it, transforming the area into the Mediterranean’s major trading hub. Until the early 19th century, no market in Europe could match its variety or quality of goods.
Fires and earthquakes repeatedly damaged the market over the centuries. Major fires broke out in 1515, 1548, 1588, 1618, 1645, 1652, 1658, 1660, 1687, 1688, 1695, 1701, 1750, and 1791, while significant earthquakes struck in 1766 and 1894. After the fires, authorities began vaulting several sections of the bazaar in 1696.
The market began to decline in the early 19th century as mass production in western Europe reshaped global trade. By 1850, rents were ten times lower than only a few decades earlier, and the bazaar was viewed as antiquated. Minority merchants — Greeks, Jews, and Armenians — started moving out to open modern shops catering to Europeans in Galata and other parts of Beyoğlu.
Experiencing the Bazaar: Past vs Present
Visiting the Grand Bazaar once felt very different from today’s experience. Businesses of the same trade were still clustered along both sides of the lanes, but sellers sat on wooden divans and worked without stalls. People from every level of Ottoman society mingled there, from ordinary citizens to members of the Imperial Harem.
Shoppers could sit and chat with sellers over a glass of tea or a cup of Turkish coffee, much like in many shops today. There were no restaurants during the Ottoman era, but nowadays there are plenty of places to grab a decent bite.
A visit to the bazaar is still a worthwhile experience. If you love shopping, you’ll find almost anything you’re looking for, including leather goods, jewelry, carpets, clothing, and an endless array of souvenirs. Just don’t forget to bargain! Even if you’re not a shopper, it’s well worth wandering through the market to get a sense of a bygone era.
Where to Eat at the Grand Bazaar
While I haven’t had a full meal inside the bazaar, I have stopped at one spot for coffee and sweets.
Şark Kahvesi
Şark Kahvesi has been serving coffee and a range of delicious sweets since 1958. It was a little hectic, just like the rest of the Grand Bazaar, but the service was friendly and efficient. I had a portion of baklava with a cup of Turkish coffee. Prices are on the higher side.
Çadırcılar Street
For an authentic slice of Istanbul shopping, take a walk down Çadırcılar Street. It runs north from the Beyazıt Gate (Beyazıt Kapısı). While tourists haggle inside the bazaar, locals flock to this crowded street in search of bargain deals, often on knockoffs of major brands. It’s a great place to observe everyday life.
