The Markets of Istanbul

Founded in 1461, the Grand Bazaar is the oldest covered market in the world.  Now, what is a covered market?  Is it like a supermarket?  Well not really.  The market is divided into thousands of small stalls, and each stall sells a specific item.  If you want a carpet, you go to a carpet stall.  If you want some jewelry, you go to a jewelry stall.  To make things easier stalls are usually grouped together by what they are selling so you will find a whole bunch of carpet stalls in one area of the market and a whole bunch of jewelry stalls in another.  It is also one of the world's largets buildings so it is pretty easy to get confused while walking around.  On an average day, about 400,000 visitors shop in the Grand Bazaar, that is more than the entire population of Iceland!

Entering the Grand Bazaar



The stalls inside the Grand Bazaar



Another market in Istanbul is the Egyptian Bazaar, which is also known as the Spice Bazaar. Not as old as the Grand Bazaar, it was built in 1660.  Like the name says you can buy spices here, but you can also find belly dancing costumes and Turkish Delight for sale too.  Smaller than the Grand Bazaar, this market is easier to navigate.  The smell of freshly ground spices fill your nose as you walk along the indoor streets.  Visiting a market in Istanbul is definitely a good way to overwhelm your senses.  Look at the pictures on this page and think about how you might use your five senses while visiting a Bazaar.  Is there a sense you wouldn't use? 

Entering the Spice Bazaar.  Look at all those dried spices hanging by the entrance.



One of the vendors at the Spice Bazaar with rows and rows of frying pans and Turkish tea sets.