Istanbul: Spice Market vs. Grand Bazaar

Are these similar in scope of products? If you had to pick one, which would it be? And, what's a good estimate for length of time to get a good overview and do a little shopping?

We have limited time in Istanbul and I am trying determine the best plan.

Are these similar in scope of products? If you had to pick one, which would it be? And, what's a good estimate for length of time to get a good overview and do a little shopping? We have limited time in Istanbul and I am trying determine the best plan.

These two locations are very, very different. In both size and style. Each is a world-class super-star, but much depends on your timing and exact interests. Below are a few of my visual samples from both locations.

Pro/Con factors??? You can do the Spice Market in fairly quick order. Its offering are wonderful, but very narrowly focused. By dramatic contrast, the Grand Bazaar is massive with a very wide range of people, offerings, etc. We had a private guide with us in doing the Grand Bazaar, making a huge difference to find things, understand what's going on, etc., etc.

Super loved Istanbul during our two days there. The offering and options there are totally awesome. Hard to even half of it during just a one-day cruise stop. When are you visiting there? How long there? Are you trying to do it all on your own?

Happy to share more.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 178,933 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

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Outside and inside the Spice Market in Istanbul. This fascinating area is much smaller and easier to see and experience than the massive Grand Bazaar. The structure was designed by a chief court architect and completed in 1660. The Spice Bazaar is an “L”-shaped building, consisting of 88 vaulted rooms. Monumental gateways are at the ends of both halls. The main entrance is in the southwest corner, facing the Yeni Mosque.:

Inside Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar that attracts three million people, here is one of the merchants/artists making us a custom item for our daughter-in-law from pink stones. Check their website: http://www.grandbazaaristanbul.org. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather, gold jewellery and the like. The bazaar has been an important trading centre since 1461 and its labyrinthine vaults feature two bedestens (domed buildings), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major restoration following an earthquake. Here is a custom item for our daughter-in-law being made there. Plus, two other views!:

As a bonus, here was our first view of Istanbul in 2006 from our just-docking cruise ship as we smelled the sweet blend of this historic Turkish city. YES, you could really smell how “special” is this unique city with so much culture, charm and interest! Istanbul has so much variety, history, culture, architecture, people, food, charm, etc. It’s the total experience here that is so amazing.:

Thank you for that info. We actually dock on a Friday afternoon, disembark on Saturday and fly home on Monday. So, we will have time to do both markets.

Would you recommend a guide or with some advance planning is it doable on our own?

Thank you for that info. We actually dock on a Friday afternoon, disembark on Saturday and fly home on Monday. So, we will have time to do both markets. Would you recommend a guide or with some advance planning is it doable on our own?

Appreciate your quick follow-up and especially that you have so much time to enjoy Istanbul in such an in-depth manner. Wonderful!!!

Can you do most all of it on your own? Sure! BUT, we had a wonderful guide for two full days in Istanbul. It worked out so well. Why? Two key reasons. Logistics and learning more. She was able to help make our "getting around" so much easier and quicker than if we tried to do it on our own, with public transit, etc. That saved lots of time and frustrations, etc.

Having a conversation? I like to ask lots of questions, learn more on the history, architecture, etc. With a guide, we can ask questions, find out so much more, hearing the background and whys about city as amazing as Istanbul. Below are some more ideas and options for Istanbul as shown in my visuals.

We did a boat cruise/local transit ship up the Bosphorus providing many interesting views and sampling of life for areas other than the core, historic parts of main Istanbul. The strategic importance of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles remains high, and control over it has been an objective of a number of hostilities in modern history.

Here's the info on the great guide. She was super wonderful.

Check Lale Kosagan.

kosagan@yahoo.com

Website: 
http://www.privatetoursinturkey.com

Tell her that Terry from Ohio said "HI!".

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

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for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 69,127 views for this fun posting.

Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. It is still used as a mosque and is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attraction. The design is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture. It is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect aimed for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour. It has six minarets along with eight smaller domes and one main large dome.:

Remember the James Bond film? Here’s the underground cistern of Istanbul:

While we had lunch in Istanbul, neighboring diners are overlooking the Bosphorus Strait and we had this great view of the large bridge spanning from Europe to Asia, the harbor, commuter ships, etc.:

Hagia Sophia, the former patriarchal basilica, later mosque, now a museum in Istanbul. It is a mix of both Christian and Islamic visuals on the inside. It was made into a museum to avoid the question for which religion it should be focused. From its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. There is great artistic value in its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee!":

In 1856, Sultan Abdul Mecid I moved his court to the newly-built Dolmabahce Palace, the first European-style palace in the city. Located on the European side of the Bosporus, it served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922. Fourteen tons of gold in the form of gold leaf were used to gild the ceilings. It is the largest palace in Turkey. The world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier is in the center hall of the palace. A gift from Queen Victoria, it has 750 lamps and weighs 4.5 tons. Dolmabahce has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world and one of the great staircases has bannisters of Baccarat crystal. Below the outside of this “new” Palace used by Sultans in Istanbul:

One of the many Istanbul outdoor dining places in the historic area. This is Albura in the heart of Akbiyik Caddesi, a mostly-pedestrian street in Sultanahmet's prime boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe district:

It's very easy to get around the Sultanahmet District (old part of Istanbul) by walking on your own. I would absolutely chose the Grand Bazaar over the Spice Market. You'll find plenty of spices for sale there.

I would also recommend visiting the Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace.

recommend visiting the Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace.

Agree 100% that these three mentioned by Grandma are must-see locations. Below are a few more options, visual samples to consider, etc.

Also on guide versus on-your-own, budget is clearly a factor. If you can afford it and want to do more than just around the Sultanahmet District, then maybe it is worth it. Maybe not. Personal choice.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 151,309 views. Nice to be hitting this high of a level for viewership. Appreciate the interest and follow-up questions/comments!!

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Topkapi Palace was the official and primary residence in Istanbul of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign. It was the setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is a major tourist attraction today, containing the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword. At the height of its existence as a royal residence, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people. After moving to the new Dolmbahce Palace in 1856, the imperial treasury, the library, mosque and mint remained at this location. Below is the main arch you walk through to enter the Palace grounds, a view of main city from these grounds and smaller palace inside the walls where the Sultan lived.:

Taking a boat cruise up the Bosphorus provides many interesting views and sampling of life for areas other than the core, historic parts of main Istanbul. The strategic importance of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles remains high, and control over it has been an objective of a number of hostilities in modern history.

To enter Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, you pass through historic stone work to get closer and then go into this vast building:

Thank you for that info. We actually dock on a Friday afternoon, disembark on Saturday and fly home on Monday. So, we will have time to do both markets.

Would you recommend a guide or with some advance planning is it doable on our own?

We bought Lonely Planet Istanbul Encounter......worth it and we were able to do it on our own and at our pace. We will be back in October for more of this amazing city. We even took the locals ferry up the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi. Wonderful to experience the local culture and the people. Enjoy

Is it the case that the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar are not open on Sundays?

Is it the case that the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar are not open on Sundays?

From what I understand, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays but the Spice Bazaar and Arasta Bazaar are both open on Sundays.

From what I understand, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays but the Spice Bazaar and Arasta Bazaar are both open on Sundays.

I think your understanding is not correct. Most, if not all, of the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market) is closed on Sundays as is the Grand (Covered Bazaar). That being said, much of the Spice Bazaar is simply independent stalls located outdoors (although they do have overhang protection in many stalls). So it is possible that some stalls would decide to open on Sundays, but they would be few and far between.

We spent some time yesterday advising DD on her upcoming 10 day trip to Turkey. We emphasized that one needs to plan based on various day of the week closing. In Istanbul, you need to plan on doing (or visiting) shops on any day but Sunday (although some places do close on Saturday afternoons). But there is a lot open on Sunday (such as Topkapi). Here is a link (a bit outdated) of Sunday openings and closings:

http://www.istanbultrails.com/2008/06/overview-of-closing-days-and-opening-hours-in-istanbul/

Not sure if there are any changes to this list.

Hank

Are these similar in scope of products? If you had to pick one, which would it be? And, what's a good estimate for length of time to get a good overview and do a little shopping?

We have limited time in Istanbul and I am trying determine the best plan.

Spice B'zar hands down. It's a lot smaller, and you'll find about the same merch. as in the Grand Bazaar...Also, the Spice B'zaar is enclosed. It is also open on Sunday, but late--like 11 am. We were just there. But, if u must see the G. B'zar just to say you saw it, then by all means. The Spice B'zar won't take you that long at all to go thru, if you don't buy anything.....Otherwise, expect to haggle.....It's just their way......

Definitely the Spice Bazaar, which is doable in a much shorter amount of time and also carries many of the items found in the much larger Grand Bazaar. The prices at both are much higher than on the side streets because you really have to bargain there.

For good product, try the Arasta Bazaar just south of the Blue Mosque. Much less pressure and much higher quality and much smaller.

I think your understanding is not correct. Most, if not all, of the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market) is closed on Sundays as is the Grand (Covered Bazaar). That being said, much of the Spice Bazaar is simply independent stalls located outdoors (although they do have overhang protection in many stalls). So it is possible that some stalls would decide to open on Sundays, but they would be few and far between.

 

We spent some time yesterday advising DD on her upcoming 10 day trip to Turkey. We emphasized that one needs to plan based on various day of the week closing. In Istanbul, you need to plan on doing (or visiting) shops on any day but Sunday (although some places do close on Saturday afternoons). But there is a lot open on Sunday (such as Topkapi). Here is a link (a bit outdated) of Sunday openings and closings:

 

http://www.istanbultrails.com/2008/06/overview-of-closing-days-and-opening-hours-in-istanbul/

 

Not sure if there are any changes to this list.

 

Hank

Apparently, the schedule may have changed since you were last there. The above post from 24butterfly seems to suggest the Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian Bazaar) is open on Sundays. Also, I found the website for the Egyptian Bazaar Tradesmen Social Assistance and Protection Association and that site says the Egyptian Bazaar is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30. Closed on October 29th and the full duration of religious holidays.

http://www.misircarsisi.org/sayfalar.asp?LanguageID=2&cid=238&id=256

Joe

Apparently, the schedule may have changed since you were last there. The above post from 24butterfly seems to suggest the Mısır Çarşısı (Egyptian Bazaar) is open on Sundays. Also, I found the website for the Egyptian Bazaar Tradesmen Social Assistance and Protection Association and that site says the Egyptian Bazaar is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30. Closed on October 29th and the full duration of religious holidays.

 

http://www.misircarsisi.org/sayfalar.asp?LanguageID=2&cid=238&id=256

 

Joe

Thank you. Some of the shops are open on Sunday, although they are open at 11 am or so. (Also, the Spice Bazaar/Egyptian is a BUILDING......) Not sure about the Grand B'zaar....Also, the Arasta B'zaar--a small street in back of where the blue Mosque has some shops open on Sunday as well....Bought a wallet there.......on Sunday.