Audio GuideEgyptian Bazaar

Step inside the Mısır Çarşısı—often called the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar in English—and you will discover a place brimming with colour, rich aromas, and centuries of history. Tucked away in Eminönü, just behind the imposing New Mosque and next to the lively Flower Market, this covered marketplace has been drawing visitors for nearly four hundred years.

Mısır Çarşısı, Eminönü

The bazaar was built in the sixteen sixties, after a major city fire, under the guidance of architects from the Ottoman court. Its construction was ordered by Sultana Turhan Hatice, and part of the funding was raised through taxes collected in Egypt—a connection that gave the bazaar both its name and countless fascinating tales. In Turkish, “mısır” means both Egypt and maize, which has also added to the intrigue surrounding its naming.

Gerardo

The bazaar’s L-shaped building is part of a broader complex. It boasts six grand entrances, among them the historic Haseki Gate. Beneath its lofty arches and stone-lined passageways, you will find shelter from Istanbul’s weather while soaking up the lively atmosphere. In earlier days, a court on the upper floor was responsible for settling disputes between traders and customers.

Ameen Al-Hashem

Centuries ago, merchants sailed in from faraway lands to fill the market with exotic spices, healing herbs, and rare roots. That spirit lives on even now: today’s stalls are heaped with spices, teas, dried fruits, Turkish delight, nuts, and cheeses, all arranged in vibrant mounds that scent the air. Shoppers can also browse jewellery, textiles, and souvenirs, making the bazaar a magnet for both locals and travellers.

Karl-Heinz Ambos

Mısır Çarşısı may be smaller than the Grand Bazaar, but it has its own unique energy, shaped by events such as two destructive fires and its careful restoration by the city in the nineteen forties. These efforts have preserved its charm even as the variety of goods on offer continues to change.

Whether you are shopping for presents or simply want to savour one of Istanbul’s longest-standing traditions, Mısır Çarşısı promises an experience—and a taste—of the city’s past and present that you will not forget.