This entertaining and educational walking tour starts at the Grand Bazaar and ends at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. (Available everyday.)
Itinerary:
Around 10:30 AM, you'll be picked up from your hotel.
We will begin our day by visiting the Nuruosmaniye District, with its delightful jewelry stores and carpet (hali) shops; we'll then swing by the Grand Bazaar (Kapali carsi - "covered market" in Turkish).
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* Grand Bazaar: this is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 streets and over 4,000 shops attracting between 250,000 and half-a-million visitors every day!
The Bazaar's construction began in 1455 and opened in 1461, and is still renowned today for its jewelry, ceramics, spices, textiles, and of course, carpet shops. Many of these shops are grouped together according to the wares being sold.
The Bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe-keeping), the first being constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly expanded in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and, in 1894, underwent a major restoration following an earthquake.
Today, the Grand Bazaar houses two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and multiple restaurants and cafes. This sprawling complex consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 entrances.
After the Grand Bazaar, we will take an enlightening walking tour down to the water front near Eminonu. You'll see hundreds of interesting shops lined up cozily side-by-side. Of course, there will be time for for a break at a typical Turkish cafe before indulging our taste buds in the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, tasting lokum (Turkish Delight) and other sweets.
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* Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Misir carsisi): One of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in the neighborhood of Eminonu, it is also the second-largest covered shopping area in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar.
There are several documents suggesting the original name of this bazaar was "New Bazaar". However, due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt during the Ottoman period, the name "Misir" was favored by the public. The word "misir" has a double meaning in Turkish: "Egypt" and "maize". This is why sometimes the name is wrongly translated as "Corn Bazaar". The bazaar was (and still is) the heart of spice trading in Istanbul.The structure itself is part of the külliye of New Mosque (Yeni Camii), and rent collected from these shops was intended to help pay for the upkeep of the mosque. The structure was designed by the Sultan's chief architect, Koca Kasim Aga, but was actually completed by the architect Mustafa in 1660.
Upon this tour's conclusion, you will be taken back to your hotel (another location if you prefer).
This tour ends at approximately 2:00 PM.
Price: 25 Euro (per person)
Includes
* Pick-up and drop-off from hotel
* Professional, English-speaking tour guides
*
All taxes and service charges
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