Explore · 2 min read

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul: a wander under the arches

A no-rush walk through the Grand Bazaar, with a starting gate, a meeting point and a bit of room to get lost.

A vaulted passage lined with shops in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar

Choose a gate together

Beyazıt makes an easy name to share with your friends. As you head in, look up at the vaults and notice how lanes branch from the old covered market halls. The history is as much in the crossings and doorways as it is in what you see on a stall.

It is fine to leave empty-handed

Pause if a piece catches your eye. Ask what it is made from and compare similar items before deciding. In a big group, agree on an outdoor meeting point before the walk; everyone gets time to wander and you need not rely on phone reception.

Sources and further reading

Some linked sources are published in other languages.

Related guides

WhatsApp

You’ll be able to chat with us on WhatsApp soon.