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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 07 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Built in the 17th century, Istanbul’s second largest bazaar is a colourful, fragrant wonderland and a must-visit for anyone curious about Istanbul’s east-meets-west culture.

Once the last stop for caravans arriving on the Silk Road from China, the Spice (or Egyptian) Bazaar now only deals in spices, nuts, honeys, teas, hennas and sweets, including dozens of flavours of lokum (known elsewhere as turkish delight), which was invented by an Istanbul pastry chef in 1776.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Take the tram or ferry to the Eminonu stop, which is right in front of the Bazaar. As with the Grand Bazaar, the real bargains at the Spice Bazaar can be found in the surrounding streets (especially in Hasircilar Caddesi). For total sensory overload, visit the nearby outdoor market on the west side of the Bazaar.

Pandeli Lokantasi, one of Istanbul’s oldest restaurants, is located just inside the entrance and a great spot for people-watching.

When to do it

The Bazaar is open all year round, seven days a week.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Yasmak Sultan Hotel

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.8 miles]

Close to Istanbul’s top sights, this friendly hotel with a spa and rooftop restaurant is a dream for first-time visitors. And good value too.

Official star rating:

Sirkeci Mansion Hotel

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.8 miles]

Convenient for the major sights and plugged into Turkish culture, this charming, historic hotel is ideal for families and first-timers.  

Official star rating:

Hotel Bankerhan

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.9 miles]

A cool, art-filled boutique hotel near the heart of modern Istanbul’s most fashionable shopping and nightlife district. 

Official star rating:

Hotel Ibrahim Pasha

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.2 miles]

This stylish, friendly and affordable boutique hotel is in sights-packed Sultanahmet, perfect for first-time visitors.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Istanbul

Marmara Region, Turkey

Exotic, inexhaustible and dynamic – East meets West head-on in this mesmerising city metropolis, famed for its extraordinarily rich history, superb food and shopping, and mind-blowingly magnificent, over-sized mosques.

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Grand Bazaar

Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.7 miles]

The oldest, biggest market in the world that glitters like an Aladdin’s cave. Over 5,000 shops on 66 covered streets.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

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Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.9 miles]

Super authentic spot near the Grand Bazaar where you can smoke nargile (a water pipe or hookah) and drink tea in the courtyard of a mosque from 1709.

Best for ages: 18+ | £5

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Museum of Turkish Islamic Arts

Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[1.2 miles]

One of the world’s finest collections of Islamic-influenced glassware, rugs, ceramics, metal work and ethnographic items.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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Great Palace Mosaic Museum

Istanbul , Marmara Region , Turkey[1.5 miles]

Lovely, lively 5th and 6th-century AD mosaics depicting nature, animals and people from the palace of the first Byzantine Emperors.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Istanbul Modern

Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[1.5 miles]

A modern art museum housing the finest collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. The Modern’s temporary exhibits by Turkish and international artists – often organized in collaboration with MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris) – are particularly exceptional.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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