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All 362 Istanbul Attractions »

Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsisi)

Beyazit Gate, Istanbul, Turkey
As featured in 3 days in Istanbul and 1 other guide
Ranked #11 of 42 shopping in Istanbul
4.0 of 5 stars 434 Reviews
Type: Flea/ Street Markets
Activities: Shopping
Fee: No
Description: Bargaining for goods is standard practice at the largest covered market in Turkey, rumored to contain over 4,000 shops.
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434 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    172
    132
    75
    40
    15
Date Rating
Sanford, NC
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

We were just going to walk through and explore the Grand Bazaar, but we found out quickly that the walk through was nothing like a walk through the mall back home! Number one... you cannot look at anything as you walk. To do so is to subject yourself to extremely energetic salesmen! They may know several languages, but the word... More

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See 2 more reviews by NCPirate for Istanbul
Atlanta, Georgia
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

Fun to get lost in. The vendors are not too pushy. Just remember where you went in at! More

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See 6 more reviews by dkoenig101 for Istanbul
Swabi, Pakistan
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2012 NEW

Grand Bazaar is a beautiful market, Asian Style. Looks very good. Lots of shops, a bit expensive. More

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See 10 more reviews by Arif981 for Istanbul
Reading, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
55 helpful votes 55 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012 NEW

I thought the Grand Bazaar was amazing - a fantastic example of old meets new. The structure of the Bazaar itself was so intricate - a maze of 'alleyways' selling so many different things. OK, some of it is tourist tat, but very different from anything you'd see in the UK. Wander round, don't be afraid to talk to the... More

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See 5 more reviews by Saesnes for Istanbul
Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
82 reviews 82 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

Yes, the shops are full of alot of the same stuff, but you must experience the Grand Bazaar whilst in Istanbul, it is huge! I love going to markets while abroad so really enjoyed the experience. You can get some nice bargains. I went back in September 2009 so it is probably even bigger now! More

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Johannesburg
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

What a disappointment! Don't waste your time in this giant flea-market full of mass produced goods. The market below the blue mosque was much more enjoyable, quiet with a better quality and variety of goods. More

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See 2 more reviews by Alta W for Istanbul
Muscat, Masqat, Oman
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012

We were there around 10a.m and was already filled with people. You can spend the whole day in there if you really have alot to shop for. Definitely not suitable for young children. Basically the vendors are selling the same things. Easily get lost inside but there are guards around and you can ask for the direction to the gates... More

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See 5 more reviews by Veronica Y for Istanbul
ct
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012
2
people found this review helpful

A must see but closed on Sundays. Use Rick Steves guide to navigate the streets. More

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See 6 more reviews by avsCT for Istanbul
Cape Town Central, South Africa
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

You can definitely spend a lot of time here because it is huge. The shops are in a covered area which is nice. There are different kinds of shops from carpets, purses, scarves, and other trinkets.If you like to bargain this is the place to be.You must bargain with the vendors, otherwise they will definitely rip you off. Be persistent... More

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See 6 more reviews by 561Heleen for Istanbul
Etoy, Switzerland
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012

I discovered a lot of fantastic shopping at the Grand Bazaar. One must visit is 'By Saka', specializing in ethnic style jewelry and accessories. They have incredible designs and materials seen no where else. I got a necklace and a scarf there like nothing I found in the other shops. It is on Halicilar Cad 47. More

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