Grand Bazaar Tours in Istanbul

The numbers at the Grand Bazaar are eye-popping. You'll find around 4,000 shops in this market, where 20,000 people work every day. And if that's not enough, 300,000 to 500,000 people visit it every day.

The sheer size and variety of the Grand Bazaar can be a little confusing when it comes to exploring it. Here is some information on guided tours of the Grand Bazaar and a detailed guide on what to look out for when visiting.

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Istanbul Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar Tour

Discover the magic of the Grand Bazaar and uncover its secrets

Tour Istanbul's legendary Grand Bazaar with an expert guide and discover the hidden treasures of this historic market. Take the opportunity to also visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque on a full 4-hour tour.

From ₹2,916 at Hellotickets

Immerse yourself in the commercial heart of Istanbul with this tour of the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque, a must-do experience for history buffs and shopaholics. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll start with a pick-up from your hotel and head to the old part of the city to explore the impressive Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in the world.

You will wander through its labyrinthine streets filled with jewellery, handicrafts, carpets and the most exotic spices, while discovering the stories and traditions hidden in every corner. In addition, the tour is completed with a visit to the spectacular Blue Mosque, famous for its blue ceramic tiles, and the majestic Hagia Sophia, a jewel of Byzantine architecture with its impressive mosaics and monumental dome.

Recommended if... You want to experience the true essence of Istanbul while exploring one of the world's most iconic markets and enjoying a cultural tour of the city's must-see monuments.

If you're thinking of touring the Grand Bazaar and don't know where to start, don't hesitate to book a guided tour of this Istanbul market. There's nothing better than visiting tourist attractions with expert guides who know where to go and how to get around. The Grand Bazaar is very large and finding what you are looking for can be difficult.

Booking a guided tour will give you the peace of mind to make the most of your time as the guides will tell you where to find what you are looking for and also tell you the history of this world famous market that everyone wants to visit at least once in their lifetime.

When you enter the bazaar all your senses are heightened as the stimuli are many. You will have traders in every shop trying to offer their wares. But if you visit with a guided tour you don't have to worry about anything. Just relax and enjoy the walk through the largest market in the East.

Grand Bazaar tours are designed to make sure you don't miss out on this fascinating labyrinth of history and tradition. With the help of an expert guide, you will explore the most authentic areas of the market, learn about the curiosities of its guilds and learn how to move among the thousands of stalls that make it an icon of Istanbul.

In addition, with the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque tour you'll be able to discover other must-see sights of the city such as the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, all in a 4-hour tour that combines culture, gastronomy and tradition.

From the pick-up at your hotel to the last purchases in the bazaar, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. Amidst aromas of spices, hand-woven carpets and stalls filled with handicrafts, you will be fully immersed in the local culture as you wander through this maze of colour and tradition that has been the commercial centre of Istanbul for centuries.

Interesting details

• Price: - from ₹2,916
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours
• What's included: Hotel pick-up, expert guide, visit to the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is located near the Fatih district, one of Istanbul's must-see neighbourhoods, between the Beyazit and Nuruosmaniye Mosques. The exact location is Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No:22, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.

If you are staying in the S ultanahmet area you can simply walk there, as it is only a 15 minute walk away. And if you are in another area of the city, you can take the T1 tram line and get off at the Beyazit-Kapali Çarsi stop.

Also, please note that when you book a guided tour of the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul your hotel pick-up is included in the price of the tour, as long as it is located in the centre of Istanbul, so you don't have to worry about how to get there.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 7.30pm, but if you arrive later than 6pm you will only see a small part of what it has to offer, so I recommend you take at least 2 hours out of your itinerary.

Remember that it is closed all day on Sundays. Remember this when planning your trip and booking a guided tour of Istanbul.

The Grand Bazaar has some 22 gates around the grounds. Each gate leads to a different area of the market that specialises in a particular product. The division is not so linear or perfect, but there is a general logic of products per area.

My advice is to look for Gate 1, as it is the main and most important entrance. It is located right next to the Nuruosma-niye Mosque and is easily identifiable, as you will see an old sign with the date the Grand Bazaar was built.

When you enter here, you'll have to pass through the police checkpoint and security arch, but it's a quick and easy process. Don't try not to get lost in the endless streets as this is part of the magic of visiting the Grand Bazaar. If you're looking for a guidepost, you'll find a central core with the two original covered markets. Around this area called Bedesten is a network of covered streets, and the two areas together form the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

The truth is that the Grand Bazaar is so famous because you can find anything you can imagine. But if you want to make the most of it to find unique opportunities, you should pay special attention to these kinds of products:

• Turkish lamps: they are very famous and you can find them in all the colours you can imagine, standing, hanging and at very good prices.
• Turkish amulets: do you know the famous disc with a blue eye in the centre? Well, they originate from Turkish culture and are used to fight the evil eye and bad energies.
• Turkish tea: Turkish black tea is one of the most famous in the world, but I recommend you also explore the many other varieties you can find in the Grand Bazaar.
• Narghile pipes: also known as shisha or water pipe, you will see them in almost all Muslim bars. They are used to smoke tobacco with different flavours. You may not be a smoker, but it is also a great decorative object.
• Kilim carpets: they are handmade using traditional Turkish techniques. They are unique and a high quality product. Don't worry about transporting them as they are delivered to you rolled up ready for the plane.
• Turkish ceramics: The most popular ceramic items are iznik bowls and colourful plates. The designs are truly a thing of beauty.
• Turkish spices: You'll get all the spices you can imagine and they are bought by weight in vacuum packs.
• Turkish silver and gold jewellery: it is advisable to ask for a proof of the carat of the jewellery and the details of the seller. In the Grand Bazaar there are also counterfeit goods, so I suggest you check very well.
• Hamman Soap: The famous soap is of Turkish origin and is made from pure olive oil.
• Turkish delicacies: they can be found in every corner of the bazaar.

You may not like this kind of shopping dynamic, but in the Grand Bazaar prices are always haggled over. When you ask for a price, the merchant will be waiting for you to make your offer, so those figures are higher than they actually expect.

This game may be a bit tiring, but if you don't want to pay extra you should be encouraged to make your own offer. Generally start with a low offer, so that the trader will offer you a higher figure and you will find a break-even point where both parties agree. When booking a tour of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, your guide is sure to give you some tips.

The Grand Bazaar area has several attractions that you can see on the same day, before or after your visit.

• Mahmut Pasha Mosque: was the first mosque built within the city walls of Istanbul. It is a very busy place, especially at prayer time. You will hear the call of prayer coming from the mosque's loudspeakers.
• Nuruosmaniye Mosque and Atik Ali Pasha Mosque: they are particularly beautiful and different from the rest of the mosques in the city.
• The Burnt Column (Çemberlitas): a pillar that was built around the year 300 and the incredible fact is that small fragments of the nails of the Passion of Christ and even a piece of the original cross were embedded in it.
• Beyazit Square: where a market is held every day of the week with many people and a large number of shops of different styles.
• Beyazit Tower: an ancient structure created for surveillance, offering magnificent views of the city.

The Grand Bazaar is a place you can visit if you go to Istanbul with children. They will love seeing so many colourful and picturesque objects around.

In addition, there are always tastings in almost every shop and you can try different local products and drink different kinds of tea. However, if these snacks only open your stomachs, you can book a gastronomic tour of Istanbul.

What you should bear in mind is that it is a very crowded place, and you should be careful not to get lost. But if you are careful, it makes for a great family outing. You can arrange a meeting point when you enter the site, in case of any eventuality.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the best things to see and do in Istanbul. This iconic site is full of secrets, legends and curiosities. When you book a guided tour of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, your guide is sure to tell you a lot of them, but do you want a sneak preview:

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• Originally, this market was created only to trade fabrics and silks. But over time and with the large influx of customers, new workshops began to open. These were covered by vaults and the enclosure was walled in, giving it the structure we can see today.
• The Grand Bazaar has suffered greatly over the years. There have been earthquakes, fires, many renovations. But none of this has made it lose its popularity.
• You will also see that in Muslim culture it is the men who are in charge. It is very rare to see women manning the shops.
• In addition to the regular shops, the Grand Bazaar houses a post office, two small mosques, cafes, several restaurants, banks and money exchange offices.
• There are never any empty shops or shops waiting to be rented, for if there are, there is a long waiting list.
• Finally, in its early days, all the streets around the Grand Bazaar were places where traders left their horses to come to work.

The Grand Bazaar is often a favourite place to buy souvenirs and travel souvenirs. Keep in mind that if you buy several units of a product in the same shop, the discount will be bigger. Therefore, plan your shopping if you want to save money.

The Grand Bazaar is also a place to get counterfeits, especially in the surrounding streets. Beware mainly of jewellery and antique shops. Sometimes the low prices are due to this. It is preferable to pay a little more to ensure authenticity.

On the other hand, traders tend to invite you for a cup of tea in order to approach you and make a sale. This is very common in the market. But don't be afraid, especially if you go with a guide when booking a tour of Istanbul.