Tours and Vacations for Women

Turkish Baazars

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It was built of wood after the Conquest of Istanbul around an old Byzantine building which became the part of what is called Old Bazaar today, and throughout the centuries it got bigger and larger with the addition of new sections and inns. The Bazaar initially consisted of onlyt wo warehouses, known as Inner Bedesten and Sandal Bedesten. Later, open streets were covered with doomed roofs and separate buildings connected to each other. Today it incorporates over 3000 shops, 17 inns, 61 streets, 4 fountains, 10 wells, 2 mosques, several cafes and restaurants, change offices, a police station, and 22 gates. It resembles a giant labyrinth and can be a little overwhelming, but it is good to remember that streets are arranged almost on a grid plan, and shops tend to group themselves according to the type of goods they sell.

The old wooden Grand Bazaar built by Mehmet II suffered several fires and earthquakes during centuries but after each disaster, it has been repaired. Last restorations were made after a big fire in the mid-fifties when it was finally made of stone. During the Ottoman times all kinds of jewelry, fabrics, weaponry and antiques were sold by merchants. Unfortunately today quilt makers, slipper makers, turban and fez makers do not exists anymore. There are thousands of things to buy in the Grand Bazaar, or just enjoy local people and Turkish hospitality with some window shopping. It's one of the most interesting tourist sites in Istanbul owing to its location, architecture, history and fame. Depending on the season, between 250,000 - 400,000 people visit the Bazaar every day.

Egyptian Bazaar

The Egyptian Bazaar is also known as Spice Market. It's located just behind the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu district, at the entrance of the Golden Horn. The Bazaar was originally made of wood in mid-17th century by the architect Kazim Aga, and got its final restorations during mid-forties. The name comes from the fact that Egyptians used to sell their spices here and that it once received income from taxes levied on Egypt. The name "Spice Market" comes from the days when the Bazaar specialized on selling spices and herbs, medicinal plants and drugs. You can still see and smell many interesting spices, dried fruits and nuts, teas, oils and essences, sweets, honeycombs, and aphrodisiacs.

Arasta Bazaar

The Arasta Bazaar is located behind the Blue Mosque in the old city center, just next to the entrance to the Mosaics Museum.
Unlike the Grand Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar is a small and simple traditional market of Istanbul. There are about 40 shops lined on both sides of a street, selling traditional items. Originally, it was built in the 17th century and was used as stables during the Ottoman period. It suffered damage from many fires and was left in ruins for a long period. In the eighties it was converted into shops, and the money from renting the space has been used for the restoration work of the Blue Mosque.

Sahaflar Carsisi

Sahaflar Carsisi, the second-hand book bazaar, stands in the old courtyard between Beyazid Mosque and Grand Bazaar. It's one of the oldest markets of Istanbul built on the same site as the Chartoprateia, book and paper market of the Byzantines. However it wasn't until 18th century that booksellers settled their shops here as they left the Grand Bazaar. Printing and publishing legislation was introduced soon after this and it enabled the trade to expand to the whole courtyard. Unfortunately, in the last 50-60 years the market lost its importance due to inevitable rise of modern bookstores and the Internet. Today there are still some old books, new ones, and lovely examples of Ottoman miniature pages can be found.

There are many other small bazaars and old shopping areas in Istanbul, such as Kumkapi Fish Market, Sariyer Fish Market, Beyoglu Flower and Food Market. One day of the week, each neighborhood of the city holds its own bazaar, visited mostly by the locals. Istanbul has many ultra modern shopping malls with international and national brand names, which fit contemporary needs in every aspect. These are mainly located in the new part of the city close to residential or financial districts. Some of these modern shopping centers are: Akmerkez, Metro City, Kanyon, Galleria, Carousel, Olivium, Atrium, Capitol, Profilo, Bauhaus.