The Grand Bazaar began in 1461 as two stone warehouses ordered by Mehmed II and grew outward from there. Today it is a covered grid of sixty-one streets holding roughly four thousand shops, still organised by trade the way it was six centuries ago.
The logic is worth knowing before you go in. Kalpakçılar Caddesi, the main axis, is jewellery. The Cevahir Bedesten at the centre holds antiques and the oldest stock. Carpets cluster toward Halıcılar Çarşısı, leather at the southern gates.
Open Monday to Saturday, roughly 09:00 to 19:00, closed Sundays and public holidays. Prices are not fixed; bargaining is expected and starting near half is normal.
From The Soul Hotel take the T1 tram from Karaköy to Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı, about twenty minutes.
Category:
Shopping