COVERED BAZAARS of ISTANBUL

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi in Turkish) is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It was built of wood after the Conquest of Istanbul around an old Byzantine building which became the part of Old Bedesten (Old Bazaar) today.

The Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Carsisi in Turkish) is also known as Spice Market. It's located just behind the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu district, at the entrance of the Golden Horn.

The Caferağa Medresseh is a former medresseh, located in Istanbul, next to the Hagia Sophia. It was built in 1559 by Mimar Sinan by orders of Caferağa, a eunuch during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566).

The Arasta Bazaar, also known as Sipahi Carsisi in Turkish, is located behind the Blue Mosque in the old city center, just next to the entrance of the Mosaics Museum.

Duration: Full day (09:00 to 17:30)
Price: 40 Euro (per person-min 04)
Run: Everyday except Sunday

During this tour we will explore the most famous traditional Turkish markets, which have centuries-old history. We will start our tour at Sultanahmet Square, the center of the Old City. Here the guide will give a sort briefing on major landmarks that grace this area: Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Basilica.

After a panoramic tour, we will proceed to the first stop in our shopping expedition: Arasta Bazaar, located just on the side of Blue Mosque. Arasta Bazaar's shops overflow with treasures that beckon visitors to buy, buy, and buy.  Although the large, chaotic, and exotic labyrinths of other Bazaars in Istanbul & Turkey can be disorienting for first-time visitors who often become visually and psychologically assaulted by so many products, shops, merchants, and touts.  Arasta Bazaar is small, simple but savvy shoppers have discovered Arasta which yields many wonderful treasures as well as result in numerous memorable experiences involving the people who operate the shops.

Next we will proceed to historical Caferaga Medresseh (“medresseh” is the name for the school, usually built within mosque complex), located next to Hagia Sophia Basilica.  This medresseh was built in 1559 by famous architect Sinan, on the orderof eunuch Caferaga, who served at harem during the reign of Suleyman The Magnificent. This prominent building was renovated by Turkish Cultural Service Foundation, and now houses various courses and workshops in traditional Turkish hand-craft.  Also, here we will visit the shop, selling the finest example of had-craft items, made with respect to authentic traditions.

After this visit, we will continue to famous Grand Bazaar. If you choose to walk (about 20 min.) your guide will lead you through Nuri Osmaniye Street. This elegant street is filled with modern shops selling Turkey’s trade-mark goods: carpets, golden jewelry, leather items, ceramics and many more. The street ends at one of the entrances of Grand Bazaar, where we will spend our next hour of devoted shopping.  The area of Grand Bazaar was a trade centre during the Byzantine period. Two bedestens were built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to enrich the economic life in the city. Later on as people needed more place for their trade, they also added parts outside these bedestens. Throughout the Ottoman period, the bazaar underwent earthquakes and fires and was restored several times. Today, the atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar is very interesting and has consequently become a very popular place for tourists to explore a labyrinth of streets and passages housing eighteen entrances and more than 4.000 shops.

The final visit of this tour is to Spice Market, which is located in Eminonu district on the shore of Golden Horn Bay. Again, it is possible to walk there from Grand Bazaar (about 15 min). Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) was built in 1664 as a part of the Yeni Cami complex, which is located next to it. Shops sold only spices during Ottoman period. Today, there are some spice shops as well as the ones selling dried fruit, borek (traditional Turkish pastry), basket work, jewelry, haberdashery, drapery, and suchlike. The bazaar has an “L” shape and six gates.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel or Istanbul cruise port.

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Please take note of the following: 
* 30% discount for children below the age 7, free for the ages 0-2
* Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Basilica will bee seen from outside
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included: 
* Pick up and drop off at your Hotel or Cruise Port
* Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coaches
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums, parking and road tolls
* Lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra)
* Local taxes