The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is definitely a heaven on earth for the shopping-lovers! Hosting more than 4000 small shops, this covered market is easily listed among the largest of its kind in the world. Better still, except from being the ultimate shopping destination in Istanbul, the actual bazaar holds a long standing history.
It was constructed between 1455 and 1560 by Sultan Mehmet in an effort to further contribute to the economy’s progression. Since then, Grand Bazaar is fully operational and forms one of the city’s most famous attractions. From local delicacies to fabrics, and from handcrafts of all sorts to antiques, the Grand Bazaar has everything you can ever imagine. The variety and quality of goods that are being sold there are unquestionably jaw-dropping, so what are you waiting for? Visit the Grand Bazaar during your holidays and unfold the secrets of Istanbul’s shopping games!
Our Grand Bazaar Guided Tour invites you to explore this iconic covered market and allow yourself to get lost into the corridors that are packed with shops and stalls. Join us in an urban adventure and learn how to bargain, explore the materials and the ingredients produced in the country, discover unique pieces, and feel the perfectly blended atmosphere of Grand Bazaar.
The tour is available from Monday to Saturday and has an approximate duration of 30 minutes. An assigned local guide will accompany you during this shopping experience and assist you with anything you might need. Please note that, transfers are not included in the price. All you have to do is meet the tour guide at the meeting point, at least 10 minutes prior the starting time of the tour. Meeting point is at Sultanahmet Square, a central location that is easily accessible.
This tour has no hotel transfer, our guests must make their way to the meeting location on their own. Please meet your guide at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour start time.
The Grand Bazaar Guided Tour starts at the main bus stop for the Big Bus Tour Company at Sultanahmet Square. Look out for the dark red double-decker buses. It’s about 20 metres (65 ft) in front of the Hagia Sophia Museum.
Get Directions For Meeting Point
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About Grand Bazaar
You might be thinking that shopping malls is a relatively new concept. Well, Grand Bazaar forms one of the oldest shopping malls as it was constructed during the 15th century. Back then, it was seen as the perfect stimulus to the economy, and it did manage to be prosperous, by mainly being a trade hub. Today, the market hosts more than 4000 shops, showcasing the vast variety of products, materials, and ingredients the country is able to produce. Due to its enormous size, Grand Bazaar is divided into 60 corridors jam-packed with shops and stalls. The shopping experience includes jewelleries, precious stones, rugs, handcrafts of all types, clothes, delicacies, home deco items, antiques, souvenirs, and many more.
Grand Bazaar Guided Tour
Our Grand Bazaar Guided Tour offers an exclusive experience of shopping in one of Istanbul’s landmark locations. All you have to do is be at the meeting point on time, without prior booking, where you will meet the local guide assigned for the tour. The guide is fluent in English and will be in charge to tour you around Grand Bazaar, give you interesting information, and most importantly teach you how to bargain, the Turkish way! Get ready for this all-in-one fun, interesting, and informative tour and experience from first-hand what it means to shop till you drop!
Meeting point
The meeting point for Grand Bazaar Guided Tour is at Sultanahmet Square, and more precisely just in front of Hagia Sophia Museum. If you are planning to reach the Square via public transportation, then you need to take the T1 tram line, direction Bağılar – Kabataş, which takes you directly to Sultanahmet station. Upon getting off, you can walk towards Hagia Sophia and check for the meeting point. Alternatively, you may always use a taxi to reach the square, or walk if your hotel is located in the city centre. Please note that you need to be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the tour.
Grand Bazaar Guided Tour: Locals’ tips
One of the biggest advantages you get when joining our Grand Bazaar Guided Tour is that you get to learn the tips that only locals can give you. The tour guide will let you know about the most reputable shops so you avoid time-consuming searching. In addition, you will get to learn how to bargain properly, something that will save you money at the end of the day. Keep in mind that if you want to bargain the right way, you will need cash. During Grand Bazaar Guided Tour you will also visit some workshops and listen to interesting information about the products’ production. Last but not least, Grand Bazaar is the ultimate foodies’ destination with multiple street-food options.
Shopping heaven! I insisted on booking this tour for my family, and in the end we all enjoyed it. It has nothing to do with other guided tours. This one is all about local culture and shopping, no boring things at all. The bazaar is huge, a day is not even enough to see all the shops properly. A guide was with us, so we went to some of the main spots of the bazaar. It was good they we had somebody explaining this to us. She even helped us bargain which is a big, big plus! Do book this tour. We had a blast.
Amazing tour and a family friendly activity. Grand bazaar was one of the places wanted to visit. I’ve heard so many things about it. This tour was exactly what I was wishing to experience. My two little girls liked it a lot, and they were amazed with all the people in the bazaar. Of course, we purchase some cool things and some souvenirs. The variety of the shops is crazy, I mean, they sell everything you can imagine. The guide helped a lot in terms of communication, and I have some great memories from that day. 100 recommended!!
Booked several tours with them and they suggested this one as well. I give 5 stars to this company, they offer amazing experiences and they are all value for money. Grand bazaar is so big and if it’s your first time there you need a guide 100%. We met the guide at a meeting point and enter this labyrinth of shops full of energy and excitement. The atmosphere is extraordinary. You get the real vibes of the city. It’s full of people and they are selling all sort of things. I wish the tour lasted for longer, but in general, it was cool. One of the things one must do while in Istanbul.
