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Shopping in Istanbul is often a huge part of any visit,
and the city’s famous historical bazaars offer a wonderful
insight into city life. Whether shopping for carpets,
spices, vegetables or clothes, the process of making your
purchase is likely to be enhanced by the atmosphere of
wandering through the crowded stalls - and of course
haggling. As usual when bargaining with persuasive shop
owners, have an idea of a good price before you start.
GRAND BAZAAR
The
oldest and biggest closed bazaar in the world, also known
as the Grand Bazaar, has around 4000 shops and over 60
alleyway, covering a huge labyrinth in the city centre.
The original two structures, covered with a series of
domes and remains of the 15th century walls, became a
shopping area by covering the surrounding streets and
adding to it over the following centuries. In Ottoman
times this was the centre of trading, and a vital area of
town. The Sandal Bedesten was added during Suleyman’s
reign, to cope with the rising trade in fabrics, during
the 16th century.
Traditionally the more
valuable goods were in the old central area, called Ic
Bedesten, because it was more secure. As quite typical of
the area, most streets are laid out and devoted to a
particular trade, for example gold on Kuyumcular Caddesi,
leather on Bodrum Han, and shoes on Kavaflar Sokak. But
the trade has also spilled out onto the surrounding
streets, and it is very common to see Russian traders
buying up huge sacks of leather jackets or shoes outside
the main entrance. Even the streets leading to the Golden
Horn are lined with outdoor stalls, which have
traditionally been controlled by strict trading laws to
reduce competition between traders.
Apart from the usual shops selling clothes, textiles,
jewellry and carpets, there are small workshops where
craftsmen cast and beat silver or brass, in a skilled
trade handed down through the generations. If all that
shopping, bargaining and fending off persuasive salesmen
is a little too tiring, there are also traditional cafes
dotted inside the bazaar in which to relax, eat and sip
tea. There are also money-changing booths inside and out.
It is slightly less crowded during weekdays, as most
locals shop at weekends.
EGYPTIAN BAZAAR
Also known as the Spice
Market, this is Istanbul’s second bazaar, constructed in
the same complex as Yeni Camii (or New Mosque). There are
six gates, which make it an attractive exterior. The L-shaped
market, together with the mosque, were built for the
mother of Mehmet IV, a powerful woman who ruled the harem
and, some would say, much of the empire.
Although no longer the prime spice trading area of the
city, there is still the aroma of ginger, cardamom, pepper
and saffron from the piles of spices sold from many stalls.
These days it is also popular for great varieties of lokum
(turkish delight), small souvenirs, flavoured teas and
local delicacies – including the dubious sounding “Turkish
Viagra”. Locals come here to shop for bed linen and towels,
as well as for fruit and vegetables, coffee, clothes, pots
and pans in the surrounding cramped backstreets. Outside
the market on the Galata Bridge end, is this is the best
place to choose olives from huge barrels, and many
varieties of beyaz penir (white cheese).
COPPER SMITHS BAZAAR
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Lesser known and smaller,
but nonetheless just as interesting is this market in
Beyazit, under the north and east walls of Istanbul
University. Copper is beaten and produced into many
shapes, sizes and forms, and shops sell cauldrons,
saucepans, buckets, candlesticks and the like.
FLEA MARKETS
Away from the classical,
historical markets which have always attracted
tourists, there are many flea and street markets
around the city, usually consisting of streets of junk
shops. As usual, getting a real quality bargain is
often down to luck, but it is still an interesting way
to shop.
Cukurcuma Sokak is the
central point of streets of shops selling old wooden
furniture, antiques, and books, near the Galatasaray
Hamam off Istiklal Caddesi. Uskudar’s Bit Pazari is on
Buyuk Hama Sokak, and in Kadikoy, Ozelli Sokak sells
mainly furniture. Horhor market, behind Aksaray mosque,
is famous for antiques, selling rare Ottoman furniture.
The Entel, or Intellectual Market in Ortakoy sells
arts, craft and antiques, music cassettes and books,
and is open every Sunday and usually very crowded.
Besiktas Pazar is open every Sunday, a warren of
streets near Sair Nedim Caddesi, sells bargain clothes.
Terkoz Cikmaz, next to the Pasabahce glass store off
Istiklal Caddesi, has bargain designer clothes,
factory seconds or overruns from France, England and
Germany at rock-bottom prices. Sahaflar Carsisi is
near a flea market, and specialises in second hand
books . |
For more information
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reservation@istanbulhotelsweb.com
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