Famous Bazaars in Turkey

Updated on Aug 05, 2024 | Turkey e-Visa

Despite the tourist destination, shopping in the famous market or bazaar of the country is an inevitable addition to the travel itinerary. An ancient bazaar or market of the country is the best place for travellers who are keen on collecting souvenirs. Turkey, a vibrant country, has numerous bazaars and markets that are best suited for one-day shopping. The richness of the country is exhibited through the famous bazaar or market. They bring forth and spread the value of the nation. The art, craft, antiques, etc., kept for selling in the market speak about the culture and heritage of the country. 

A walk or visit around the famous bazaar or market in Turkey gives an insight into the amount of cultural importance blend within the walls of the bazaars. Visiting the bazaar provides a colourful experience of enjoying the art that belongs to the country. Turkey has many famous bazaars and markets and here’s a list of a few of them. 

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Grand Bazaar

Kapalicarsi, also known as the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, is the most famous bazaar in Turkey. The Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest and oldest bazaars or markets in the world. The bazaar encompasses 64 streets and approximately 4000 or more shops. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar comes with a mosque, café, banks, etc., making it look like a mini city. The Grand Bazaar was built of wood during the 15th century by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and over time it got bigger with the addition of new sections and modifications. The shopping paradise exhibits the famous jewellery, finest textiles, carpets, antique pieces, and many more. The Grand Bazaar is famous for hand-made carpets and Turkish lamps. 

The Grand Bazaar is the best place for travellers who enjoy window shopping. Besides the shopping, the architecture of the Ottoman building and the history of Grand Bazaar provides a fascinating experience while walking through the streets of Grand Bazaar. 

Spice Bazaar

Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Bazaar) also known as the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, is a colourful market in the country. The market is located behind the New Mosque (Yeni Mosque) building near the entrance of Golden Horn. The geographical location of Istanbul made it a famous trade route and connecting road between the East and West. The bazaar was built in 1664 by Court Architect Kazim Aga of Sultan Mehmet IV. The buzzing market turned out to be an important spice centre for the Ottoman Empire. The L-shaped bazaar has six gates and 86 shops approximately, and the ceiling of the bazaar is covered with beautiful domes. The Spice Bazaar is home to various spices including exotic spices, nuts, dry fruits, etc. 

The Spice Bazaar is an excellent place to experience the fragrance of various spices and to witness the variety of spices available in the market. Besides the variety of spices, the Egyptian Bazaar also has a variety of teas, oils and essences, dry fruits, honey, cheese and Turkish sweets. 

Kemeraltı Bazaar

Kemeraltı Bazaar in Izmir, Turkey is a historical bazaar and one of the ancient bazaars in Izmir. The bazaar offers an open-air shopping centre built during the 17th century. Kemeraltı Bazaar covers a total area of 300 hectares or more in the city centre. The bazaar has approximately 100 shops and the structure of the Kemeraltı Bazaar offers the historical atmosphere and fragrance of the Ottoman period. Being one of the ancient bazaars, it sells Turkish carpets, textiles, modern clothing, historical artifacts, jewelry, local foods, leather goods, traditional products, electronics, etc. The historical building of the bazaar includes the gates of Kemeralti Bazaar and Kizlaragasi Inn, which were used to serve the travelling merchants during the Ottoman era. 

The Kemeraltı Bazaar is also home to mosques and churches in the centre of the city. Two of the remarkable mosques are the Hisar Mosque and the Kizlaragasi Mosque. Exploring the Historical City Center of Izmir, including the Kemeraltı Bazaar offers an opportunity to explore the lively atmosphere of the market. 

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Arasta Bazaar

Arasta Bazaar also known as Sipahi Carsisi located behind The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey is a colourful marketplace well-suited for shopping. Arasta Bazaar is a small market compared with the Grand Bazaar, it has around 40 shops lined up on either side of the street. The bazaar was established during the 17th century Ottoman period. The places were used as stables during the ancient period and later converted into shops. The rent from the shops is used for the benefit and restoration of The Blue Mosque. The lively open-air traditional bazaar is famous for clothes and a variety of souvenirs like fridge magnets, etc. The bazaar also sells traditional Turkish pieces such as carpets, tiles and glassware. 

Explorers visiting Blue Mosque can explore the Arasta Bazaar without any effort, because the building of Arasta Bazaar is connected with the Blue Mosque. The bazaar is the best place to shop Turkish dress, hammam towel, fragment soap and other goodies or just admire the collections and enjoy the window shopping. 

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Kadıköy Market

Kadıköy Market is a vibrant bazaar located in the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey. The bazaar is famous for its fresh fruits and vegetables, variety of foods, spices, café and many more. Kadıköy Market is the best place to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables and to try freshly roasted Turkish coffee. The market gained momentum only during the late 1960s when it started attracting tourists. The Kadıköy Market is famous for serving fresh commodities and all appetizers such as Turkish coffee and sweets, varieties of candies and pickles, and many more. Never leave the market without tasting the famous Turkish delight ‘lokum’ and the sugar candy akide. The Kadıköy Market is home to a variety of cheese, dried herbs, fresh seafood, etc. 

Visiting the Kadıköy Market provides great experience and an opportunity to explore Turkish cuisine and the traditional or country vegetables and fruits. Kadıköy Market is a great destination for food enthusiasts, the bakery and sweet shop of the market are the best place to taste Turkish cuisine, dessert and sweets. 

Besides the above-mentioned bazaar and markets, Turkey has other famous markets namely, Sariyer Fish Market, Gaziantep Bakircilar Carsisi (Coppersmiths Bazaar), Ulu Carsi, Beyazit Book Bazaar, and many more. Whatever your hunt is, visiting the famous bazaar or market in Turkey will never be a disappointment. 

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