What is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul?
Quick answer
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı, “covered market”) in Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Construction began around 1455–1461 under Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, soon after he conquered Constantinople. Today it has about 4,000 shops along roughly 60 streets.
Key facts
- Turkish name
- Kapalıçarşı
- Construction began
- About 1455–1461, under Mehmed II
- Shops
- About 4,000
- Gates
- More than 20
How it began
After conquering Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II wanted to revive the city’s economy; see what the capital of the Byzantine Empire was. He built a stone hall, the Cevahir Bedesteni, for valuable goods such as jewels and textiles. Shops and streets grew around it, and the whole area was eventually roofed over, creating a vast maze of domed passages.
What’s for sale
| Goods | Notes |
|---|---|
| Carpets and kilims | Handwoven rugs from across Turkey and Central Asia |
| Jewelry | Gold and silver, a specialty since Ottoman times |
| Ceramics | Hand-painted tiles and bowls |
| Lamps | Colorful mosaic glass lanterns |
| Leather | Jackets, bags and shoes |
| Textiles | Towels (peshtemal), scarves and fabrics |
Spices are sold mainly at the nearby Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), built in the 1660s.
Inside the maze
The bazaar was organized into guild streets, each specializing in one trade. It also has mosques, fountains, cafés and hans, old courtyard buildings where traders stayed and workshops still operate. It has survived fires and earthquakes many times, including a major earthquake in 1894, and has been restored repeatedly.
Visiting tips
- It’s usually closed on Sundays and religious holidays.
- Bargaining is expected in many shops; start friendly and take your time.
- Gates are numbered, which helps if you get lost.
- It welcomes a huge number of visitors every day, so mornings are calmer.
Istanbul’s other sights
Nearby are the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, all within walking distance in the historic peninsula. For another famous Turkish site, see the Pamukkale terraces.
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