The Grand Bazaar, one of the most significant market place in Turkey. Grand Bazaar Istanbul is among the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. The Grand Bazaar history leads back to 1455. The Grand Bazaar Turkey, in 2014, was among the most visited tourist place in the world. Grand Bazaar Istanbul hours should not be something you should worry about as it is in the historical peninsula, where you can easily get to. The Grand Bazaar Istanbul opening times are from early in the morning to evening. You can find a lot of valuable fabric, jewellery, decoration items, and special designs sold in historical shops. Most people are attracted to Grand Bazaar Jewellery. Grand Bazaar Istanbul lanterns are another famous image of the covered market.
As Grand Bazaar is one of the most visited places in Turkey by tourists, there is also an option for online shopping Grand Bazaar Istanbul. However, we advise you to see the ambiance of that place in real life. Who built Grand Bazaar, how old is the grand bazaar in Istanbul, and every information you will need before you visit is here.
Grand Bazaar History
The creation of the most interesting market, Grand Bazaar, started during winter in 1455. The first form of Grand Bazaar was “Bedestan” which means “bazaar of cloth sellers”. Bedestan’s creation had the effects of Sultan Mehmed II, who was a devoted person to textile trading and jewellery. After years of serving and developing, the Grand Bazaar got in its final format 1730. It used to own over 3.000 shops and 67 streets. Grand Bazaar also contained mosques, hammams, and even medreses in which people got educated. It was the city’s center and trade spot.
Now, the Grand Bazaar has got over 4.000 shops on 61 different streets. The area of Grand Bazaar is 30.700 m2. It is an attraction for a lot of tourists. In one day, Grand Bazaar gets 250.000 to 400.000 visitors.
What to Buy in Turkey Grand Bazaar
You can find almost everything you wanted to buy in Istanbul, in the Grand Bazaar. There are over 4.000 shops selling different items, so you can find many products in mainly oriental style. Grand Bazaar is famous for its jewellery, fabrics, and hand-made decoration items. Protecting the Ottoman Empire theme, you can reach high-quality materials designed by well-known designers who are continuing the occupation of their families for over a hundred years. We guarantee that you will find at least one thing to fall in love with at the Grand Bazaar. Let alone all the shiny lanterns, lux fabrics, hand-made carpets, and fascinating jewellery, you can visit traditional coffee shops and sweet shops in the bazaar. When you enter the covered market, you will feel different beautiful smells coming from different shops. There are also special products that you can buy from the Grand Bazaar like calligraphy, miniatures of Islamic Art.
1) Fabrics
The Grand Bazaar is a place world-known designers shop to create their signature dresses. The range of fabrics consists of premium quality to normal quality ones. A lot of different patterns, hand-knitted traditional fabrics will make you want to buy at least one. When you imagine the ambiance of the bazaar, it feels like only traditional Ottoman or Turkish items can be found. However, in Grand Bazaar, you can also find products from many Asian countries such as textiles like suzani and ikat. There are also products with a combination of traditional Ottoman style and modern Turkish style.
2) Hand-Knotted Carpets and Kilims
Turkish Carpets are known throughout the world to be made by women who are educated in carpet weaving. It is known that weaving one Turkish carpet in a regular size takes months. As a result, they are very precious goods. In the Grand Bazaar, you can find kilims (Carpets in a smaller size) and carpets made of silk or wool.
3) Jewellery
Grand Bazaar is known for its jewellery and gold shops. The oldest and the most talented jewellery designers take place in the Grand Bazaar’s shops over years. If you want to buy a valuable gift for your beloved, or yourself, you should definitely check them out. A lot of different designs are available. We are sure that you will find something that suits your taste.
4) Decorative Objects and Art Pieces
In the Grand Bazaar, decorative items are quite popular. Hand-made trinkets, pillowcases with traditional patterns, Islamic art pieces such as calligraphy or paintings, chandeliers, and everything you can imagine.
5) Antique Items
If you are an antique decor lover, the Grand Bazaar is a right place for you to visit to add another significant item to your collection. In the bazaar, there are antique shops which sell very valuable items.
7) Traditional Desserts and Coffee
Being one of the biggest covered markets, Grand Bazaar also consists of food and coffee shops. There are shops that have been selling baklava, Turkish coffee, and Turkish delight since the Ottoman era. You will enjoy your shopping while tasting different desserts in the streets of the Grand Bazaar.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grand Bazaar
What time does Grand Bazaar close is something every visitor wonders. Because you will not notice how fast time passes when you are looking at all precious designs. The Grand Bazaar is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm every day. However, due to the pandemic, the visiting hours are between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
You can get to the Grand Bazaar very easily because most of the public transports is close to the Grand Bazaar. You can get off at Vezneciler Station at the metro, Beyazıt station by either bus or tram. It is also within walking distance of Hagia Sophia.
Grand Bazaar is really close to the Blue Mosque. You can either walk for 15-20 minutes to the mosque or take the tram from Sultanahmet tram station and get off at Beyazıt Station which is only 2 stops ahead. It will take approximately 5 minutes.
One of the biggest covered markets Grand Bazaar is 30.700 m2.
The Grand Bazaar is in Cemberlitas, Fatih, Istanbul. It takes place in the area called “Old City” or the historical peninsula. As a result, most of the historical places you will visit in Istanbul are in this area.
