Audio GuideGrand Bazaar

At the heart of Istanbul stands Kapalıçarşı, better known as the Grand Bazaar—a sprawling labyrinth of covered market streets that has been attracting visitors for centuries. Step inside and you are welcomed into a world bustling with life: vibrant displays of carpets and lanterns, the glint of gold, the scent of leather goods, and the constant calls of merchants persuading you to browse.

Iwona Adamczuk

The origins of this bazaar date back to the time when Istanbul—then called Constantinople—became part of the Ottoman Empire almost six hundred years ago. Its original core was the İç Bedesten, possibly inherited from the Byzantine era and built with sturdy stone, a domed roof, and thick walls to safeguard the precious fabrics and gems traded within. Shortly afterwards, the Sandal Bedesten was added, named after a distinctive type of cloth that was once its main speciality. Over time, the bazaar gradually expanded, winding through dozens of lanes and becoming surrounded by thriving neighbourhoods.

Admission

The Grand Bazaar has left a lasting imprint on Istanbul's commerce and way of life. Here, every trade—from goldsmiths and silversmiths to tailors and booksellers—had its own designated avenue, governed by strict rules set by influential guilds. Quality and prices were carefully monitored, honesty was highly prized, and competition was strictly forbidden. At its height, the Grand Bazaar was almost a city in itself, with thousands of shops, mosques, fountains, and inns known as hans, all secured each night behind heavy gates.

Еаликино Абинореал

Over the centuries, fires and earthquakes have taken their toll, yet the bazaar has always risen from its ruins, rebuilt and revitalised. Changes in politics and the rise of new industries brought further transformation, reducing the influence of the guilds and altering the goods on offer. Today, the Grand Bazaar boasts around four thousand shops and continues to welcome visitors from all over the world. Its winding alleyways and historic arches now house both traditional crafts and modern souvenirs. Despite continual change and modernisation, Kapalıçarşı remains the vibrant heart of trade and life in Istanbul.