Audio GuideGrand Bazaar

In the heart of Istanbul lies Kapalıçarşı, or the Grand Bazaar—a vast network of indoor market streets that has welcomed visitors for hundreds of years. Stepping inside, you are surrounded by an endless buzz: colorful displays of carpets and lights, the gleam of gold jewelry, the soft scent of leather, and the voices of sellers inviting you to explore.

Iwona Adamczuk

This bazaar began soon after Istanbul, then Constantinople, became part of the Ottoman world nearly six centuries ago. Its earliest core was the İç Bedesten, likely a Byzantine legacy, built of stone, its thick walls and domed roof designed for security and trade in precious cloth and jewels. Not long after, the Sandal Bedesten was added, named for a special fabric once sold here. Over time, the bazaar expanded, covering dozens of winding streets and surrounded by bustling neighborhoods.

Admission

The Grand Bazaar shaped the business and culture of the city. Here, traders in every craft—goldsmiths, silversmiths, tailors, book dealers—once had their own lanes, with strict rules set by powerful guilds. Prices and quality were watched closely, trust was prized, and competition was forbidden. At its peak, thousands of shops, mosques, fountains, and inns, called hans, made the bazaar a mini city of its own, protected each night behind heavy gates.

Еаликино Абинореал

Through centuries, fires and earthquakes damaged the bazaar, always followed by rebuilding. Political changes and modern industries led to fewer guilds and changed what was sold. Today, the Grand Bazaar has around four thousand shops and still draws crowds from every corner of the world. Its narrow lanes and old arches are now flanked by both ancient crafts and modern souvenirs. Even as it adapts and renovates, Kapalıçarşı keeps its role as the vibrant trading heart of Istanbul.