The Grand Bazaar, or Kapalicarsi, has been trading since the 1450s. Under its painted vaults, some 4,000 shops are loosely grouped by trade: gold and jewellery on the main avenue, carpets, leather, ceramics and lamps in the side lanes.
Kalpakcilar Caddesi, the gold street, and Nuruosmaniye Caddesi run the length of the bazaar and are the easiest to navigate.
The Cevahir Bedesten and Sandal Bedesten, the two domed stone halls at the centre, hold the oldest and higher-end antique and jewellery trade.
Around 20 numbered gates lead in and out, and courtyards or hans off the lanes still house workshops.
The bazaar is free to enter and is closed on Sundays and public holidays, roughly 9am to 7pm otherwise. Haggling is expected in most shops. It connects on foot to the Spice Bazaar, the Suleymaniye Mosque and Sultanahmet.
Note the gate you came in by, or a landmark shop. The lanes look alike and it is easy to lose your bearings.
Quoted prices, especially near the main gates, assume bargaining. Compare a few shops before buying.
The smaller Egyptian Spice Bazaar near Eminonu is a 10-minute walk downhill and makes a natural pairing.
Is the Grand Bazaar open every day?
No. It closes on Sundays and public holidays. On other days it runs roughly 9am to 7pm.
Do I have to haggle?
In most shops, yes. Opening prices are high, particularly for carpets, jewellery and souvenirs near the entrances.
Is it a tourist trap?
It is very touristy on the main avenues, but the side lanes and the bedestens still serve local trade and wholesale buyers.
How long should I spend?
An hour or two is enough for most visitors. Serious carpet or jewellery shopping takes longer.
Construction of the Grand Bazaar began soon after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, starting with the two stone bedestens and expanding into a roofed commercial quarter.
It has survived fires and earthquakes and remains a working market as well as a major attraction, with thousands of shops and workshops under one connected roof.
This page is an independent guide for visitors. It is not affiliated with the bazaar's trade association.
