Spice Bazaar Istanbul Tour with Audio Guide
Mısır Çarşısı — the Egyptian Bazaar — built in 1664 as part of the New Mosque complex, and still one of the busiest markets in the city.
- At the gate
- £6.80
- Allow
- 1h 30m
- District
- Eminonu
- Closed
- Open daily
The Spice Bazaar, in short
Mu0131su0131r u00c7aru015fu0131su0131 u2014 the Egyptian Bazaar u2014 built in 1664 as part of the New Mosque complex, and still one of the busiest markets in the city.
Spices, dried fruit, nuts, Turkish delight, tea, cheese and honeycomb, under a vaulted L-shaped hall. It is smaller and far more manageable than the Grand Bazaar.
What it costs
Entry is free. The guided tour, which is included on the pass, is worth having for the context and for knowing which stalls are worth your money.
Getting there
In Eminu00f6nu00fc, beside the New Mosque and the Galata Bridge. Take the T1 tram to Eminu00f6nu00fc.
How long to allow
Half an hour to walk through; an hour or more if you are shopping. The streets immediately outside u2014 where locals actually buy their coffee, cheese and kitchenware u2014 are arguably better than the hall itself.
Who built it, and why
It was commissioned by Turhan Hatice Sultan, mother of Mehmed IV, to fund the upkeep of the adjacent New Mosque u2014 rents from the shops paid for the mosque's maintenance. The 'Egyptian' name comes from the tax revenues from Egypt that financed its construction.
Frequently asked questions
- In Eminu00f6nu00fc, in the old city, beside the New Mosque and the Galata Bridge.
- Half an hour to walk through, an hour or more if you plan to shop.
- No. The bazaar is free to enter; the guided tour is included on the pass.
- Much smaller and focused on food rather than carpets, jewellery and textiles. It is the easier of the two to enjoy in a short visit.