The Grand Bazaar, built in the 15th century, can be called the oldest shopping mall in the world. It has 54.653 square meters covering area ans still ranks as one of the world’s biggest covered markets. Today, the bazaar has , 21 gates, 16 hans, 64 lanes, mosques, banks, a police station, restaurants, workshops and more than 3000 shops. It has also 5 main gates that you’ll use:
- Beyazıt Gate
- Çarsikapi (Beyazit tram stop)
- Nuruosmaniye Gate
- Mahmut Pasa Gate
- Örücüler Gate
Click on the map to see the details of Grand Bazaar:
The oldest building in the Grand Bazaar is the Cevahir or Ic Bedesten. Bedesten means cloth seller’s market and it is a typical example of classical Ottoman architecture. You can find whatever you want there, from cloth woven of silk to famous Turkish and Persian carpets. Depending on the season, about 250 thousand people visit the Bazaar everyday.
The Grand Bazaar is open between 09:00-19.00 every day of the week except on Sundays and public holidays.
