Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

History of the Grand Bazaar

Considered as one of the first shopping malls of Istanbul, Grand Bazaar has its own share of history. Built around 1455/56, Grand Bazaar signifies the economy of Istanbul back when the Ottoman reign was prevailing. As per the history of the Grand Bazaar, its indoor arcade, called ‘bedestan’, which was the original core of the bazaar, was completed in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror. The bedestens were meant as the bazaar of cloth sellers. Exporting and importing of spices, textiles, cloth materials and other items were done here since its establishment. Later, its two bedestans expanded into a sprawling shopping complex, and named as Grand Bazaar. Though, this place is no longer a commercial centre, it still is one of the best markets to explore in Istanbul.

Shopping in Grand Bazaar

Sprawled over a huge area, Grand Bazaar in istanbul cannot be visited in a day. Visitors are recommended to explore this place during their leisure time. Instead of making a purchase, a conversation with the sellers, who are fluent in more than one language, can also leave visitors with an amazing experience to cherish.

Things to Buy in Grand Bazaar

Let’s take a look at the below list of items that are must to buy on a tour of the Grand Bazaar

Jewelry: Decked with plenty of jewelry shops, the Grand Bazaar offers a wide collection of colorful jewels, rare diamond cuts, and vintage designs that leave everyone aghast.

Fine Arts and Antiques: Besides jewelry, the Grand Bazaar has some astounding shops that sell antique items. Salabi Antiques, Epoque, and Sait Asli are some of the best places to buy antique souvenirs on this city tour.

Carpets and Kilims: With an extensive collection of carpets and kilims, shops like Sisko Osman, Dhoku, Ethnicon, and Sengor, one can easily get a carpet of their choice. From rare pieces influenced by the style of Turkish Republic to contemporary ones, here is a market for every kind of carpet designs.

Textiles: If one wants to buy natural products, then Abdulla serves some of the best shawls. Towels, and blankets, while Ottoamano derived its name from scarf. For ethnic goodies and some handmade items featuring Turkish motifs, Sivasli ?stanbul Yazmacisi is one of the best places to explore here.

Customized products: Grand Bazaar also has some of the best stores that provide custom-made services. One can choose to visit the various craftsmen near the Mercan Gate, and get a Istanbul-style jewelry customized for themselves as a souvenir of this tour.

The Grand Bazaar is one of the most enticing parts of Istanbul for the purpose of economic growth and tourists. There are lots of markets in which would give you a huge list of souvenirs to choose from. From ancient bookstores, jewelry shops to the street food; everything in Grand Bazaar would make your trip worthwhile. It is connected with the major streets of Istanbul, which makes it easier for visitors to locate it.