The Not So Grand Bazaar? Istanbul, Turkey

 Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

 

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, TurkeyI had visions of magic carpets flying through the air, incense burning, people smoking hookah pipes and drinking tea, a few random animals meandering, and a secret shop around a corner that I had to say Open Sesame in order to get in!

 

I had heard so much about how wonderful the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey was that I had high expectations.  Okay so maybe I didn’t really expect magic carpets, but at the end of the day, this was really just a big indoor mall surrounded by a flea market.  I have been to a lot of fun and amazing local markets and expected this to be just a notch above.  I didn’t expect it to be so western!  Perhaps I should have visited a couple hundred years ago!

 

What is the Grand Bazaar?

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, TurkeyLike any mall the Grand Bazaar has great things to buy including Turkish rugs, jewelry, clothes including all your favorite knock offs, beautiful hand painted bowls, mosaic glass lamps, and almost everything else you can imagine.  I’m so surprised that there are so many carpet shops!  They obviously must be tons of people shipping them home. If a carpet is not on your list, they also sell belly dancing costumes if you’re looking to add a little spice to your life!

Just in to the sight seeing?  The arches and painted ceilings are gorgeous and I know we only saw a fraction of the architecture of the bazaar.  But no chickens pecking around, no bunny rabbits for sale, no fruits, veggies, or nuts -so if you visit make sure to expect a more westernized market and you won’t be disappointed!

 

The majority of the Grand Bazaar is covered.  And when I say covered it is a proper building, not just some tarps and bamboo.  The majority of the shops in the interior have proper glass store fronts, doors, electricity, etc.  The shops surrounding the exterior are a little more basic.  They are closer to the flea market type, with more permanent open stalls.  There are apparently about 4,000 shops, so give yourself plenty of time.  Try not to have anywhere to go afterwards so that if you do get lost, you will enjoy the experience of exploration rather than stress about your watch!

 

Should you go?
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

I would definitely recommend a visit to the Grand Bazaar.  I will say that we did  enjoy it, we just had totally different expectations!  I also have to advise you to be ready to dodge massive amounts of huge tour buses when you are trying to enter the bazaar.

 

It is a great place to shop for gifts or to replenish your wardrobe with some really nice looking knock-offs.   We saved our visit for the end of our trip so we could get all of souvenirs and gifts before heading home without the hassle of lugging them around!

 

So enjoy – just make sure to have the right expectations!

 

What is your favorite local market?  Have you been to the Grand Bazaar?

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