Historical Landmarks

Grand Bazaar Walking Tour with Audio Guide

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Historical Landmarks

Grand Bazaar Walking Tour with Audio Guide

About This Activity

  • FREE with Pass

    Access top attractions at no extra cost

  • Explore at Your Own Pace

    Walk around freely with exclusive audio guides

  • No Reservation Needed

    Book ticket in advance to guarantee admission

 

Highlights

  • Discover this multicultural and historical bazaar.
  • Enjoy the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest shopping and commercial centers.
  • After completing your tour, you can enjoy Turkish cuisine at one of the numerous Turkish restaurants in the vicinity.
  • Listen to the specially curated audio guide in English

 

Includes

  • Professional Audio Guide in English

 

About the Grand Bazaar

With over 4000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is the oldest covered market (or bazaar) in Istanbul and one of the largest in the world.

Built by the order of Sultan Mehmet between 1455 and 1560 to stimulate the city's economy, the Grand Bazaar has been fully operational ever since. It was highly prosperous during the Ottoman Empire and had no competitors in all of Europe regarding the quality and variety of the goods that one could find there.

For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now! Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience! 

Times & Duration

Suggested Visiting Duration:1 hrs

Grand Bazaar is open every day (except Sundays) between 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM

Where You'll Be

How to Get There?

Getting to the Grand Bazaar Walking Tour with Audio Guide is convenient and accessible from various parts of Istanbul. Here’s a guide to help you reach this iconic landmark:

The Grand Bazaar is located in the heart of Istanbul's historic district, Old Town, making it easy to reach by public transport or on foot if you're staying nearby.

By Tram: The easiest and most convenient way to get to the Grand Bazaar is by taking the T1 Bağcılar-Kabataş Tram Line. Get off at Beyazıt-Grand Bazaar Station, and you'll find one of the main entrances just a short walk away.

By Bus: Several bus lines stop near Beyazıt Square, which is just a few minutes from the bazaar. However, traffic in Istanbul can be heavy, so the tram is often a faster option.

On Foot: If you're already exploring Sultanahmet (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, or Topkapi Palace), you can walk to the Grand Bazaar in about 10–15 minutes. Just follow the signs toward Beyazıt Square.

Note: The Grand Bazaar has multiple entrances, but the most well-known ones are Beyazıt Gate (Nuruosmaniye) and Çarşıkapı Gate.

All About the Grand Bazaar

Built after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest closed shopping malls in history. Originally a trade hub for textiles and other trade goods in Ottoman times, the Grand Bazaar now stands out as the number one place to shop for memorable goods of all kinds and price points with over 4000 shops. Grand Bazaar showcases the most intricate artisanal works of Turkish culture, from hand-woven, high-quality Turkish rugs to fine jewelry made of gold, silver, and precious stones, fine, handmade copperware, leather goods, and traditional artistry of all kinds.

The Grand Bazaar is a must-see for travelers that are looking for a one-of-a-kind, authentic shopping experience, elevated by the historical atmosphere that the Bazaar possesses. To have the most authentic experience of the Bazaar, we recommend that you take an exclusive trip through its 60 streets and have a journey through Turkish culture and history that you will remember for years to come. With our Grand Bazaar Audio Guide, you are guaranteed to get the most authentic shopping experience. Walk through the most prestigious shops of the bazaar to find the best quality Turkish rugs, fine jewelry, leather goods, and the most beautiful artisanal works of all kinds to purchase. You will learn how to bargain like locals with the shop owners and discover all the unique items, antiques, and one-of-a-kind pieces that are available. With over 25 years of experience, istanbultouristpass.com is dedicated to ensuring that you have a memorable visit, enriched by unique experiences and rich history. Book your tours and tickets today with our secure payment methods, including credit card options. istanbultouristpass.com’s customer service team is always ready to take your questions via their live chat service, whenever and wherever you are in Istanbul.

Where is Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is in the Beyazıt area of the Fatih district, one of the oldest settlements in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is easily accessible via public transportation. After leaving the Beyazıt station on the T1 tram line, the Grand Bazaar is a few minutes away from the station. Before your trip, please do not forget to check what time Grand Bazaar opens and what time Grand Bazaar closes. The shopping mall opens at 08:30 am and closes at 07:00 pm, so definitely make sure you have enough time to discover this magnificent place extensively and to shop! And no need to worry about any Grand Bazaar Istanbul entrance fee!

The historical shopping mall is free to enter and walk through. The Grand Bazaar is also the perfect location for a long day of exploring the city. With the T1 tram line, you can easily go from the Grand Bazaar to

Built after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest closed shopping malls in history. Originally a trade hub for textiles and other trade goods in Ottoman times, the Grand Bazaar now stands out as the number one place to shop for memorable goods of all kinds and price points with over 4000 shops. Grand Bazaar showcases the most intricate artisanal works of Turkish culture, from hand-woven, high-quality Turkish rugs to fine jewelry made of gold, silver, and precious stones, fine, handmade copperware, leather goods, and traditional artistry of all kinds.

The Grand Bazaar is a must-see for travelers that are looking for a one-of-a-kind, authentic shopping experience, elevated by the historical atmosphere that the Bazaar possesses. To have the most authentic experience of the Bazaar, we recommend that you take an exclusive trip through its 60 streets and have a journey through Turkish culture and history that you will remember for years to come. With our Grand Bazaar Audio Guide, you are guaranteed to get the most authentic shopping experience. Walk through the most prestigious shops of the bazaar to find the best quality Turkish rugs, fine jewelry, leather goods, and the most beautiful artisanal works of all kinds to purchase. You will learn how to bargain like locals with the shop owners and discover all the unique items, antiques, and one-of-a-kind pieces that are available. With over 25 years of experience, istanbultouristpass.com is dedicated to ensuring that you have a memorable visit, enriched by unique experiences and rich history. Book your tours and tickets today with our secure payment methods, including credit card options. istanbultouristpass.com’s customer service team is always ready to take your questions via their live chat service, whenever and wherever you are in Istanbul.

Where is Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar is in the Beyazıt area of the Fatih district, one of the oldest settlements in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is easily accessible via public transportation. After leaving the Beyazıt station on the T1 tram line, the Grand Bazaar is a few minutes away from the station. Before your trip, please do not forget to check what time Grand Bazaar opens and what time Grand Bazaar closes. The shopping mall opens at 08:30 am and closes at 07:00 pm, so definitely make sure you have enough time to discover this magnificent place extensively and to shop! And no need to worry about any Grand Bazaar Istanbul entrance fee!

The historical shopping mall is free to enter and walk through. The Grand Bazaar is also the perfect location for a long day of exploring the city. With the T1 tram line, you can easily go from the Grand Bazaar to Spice Market Istanbul, near the Eminönü station, and discover the unique atmosphere of Eminönü and the Spice Market, get fresh air near the seashore and take in the area’s beauty. If you are wondering how far Grand Bazaar is from Blue Mosque, they are also close in proximity. Blue Mosque is easily accessible through the T1 tram line at the Sultanahmet station. If you would like to have a full-day trip, discovering the various iconic landmarks of the city, consider our Blue Mosque Audio Guide for a self-guided trip through places such as the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. This day-long trip takes you on a journey through time amongst the most well-known Ottoman and Byzantine relics and informs you about the centuries-old history of Istanbul.

Grand Bazaar Istanbul Tips

One of the oldest shopping malls and trade centers, you wonder when was the Grand Bazaar built and how old is Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar was built shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in the 15th century. The building itself was damaged by earthquakes and fires over time, but since then it has been renovated and stands as strong as ever. With over 500 years of history, the Grand Bazaar is definitely the most unique shopping mall in the world!

A lot of travelers wonder if Grand Bazaar is covered or if is it an open mall. The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest covered shopping malls in the world, so no need to worry about the weather! The Grand Bazaar is great for both summer and winter visits! If you do not know where to shop in Grand Bazaar, worry not! You’ll get the unique experience of visiting workshops and seeing master artisans and how their works come into being.

Our most important Grand Bazaar Istanbul tips are: do not get overwhelmed by the countless shops and definitely do not get lost in the mall! Our Grand Bazaar shopping tips are: to bargain relentlessly and take your time when examining intricate works such as Turkish rugs, copperware, and other decor and jewelry items to fully appreciate the work that goes into making them. After a fun bargaining and shopping spree, you might want to know where to eat near Grand Bazaar Istanbul for the most delicious Turkish food. You are in luck!

The Grand Bazaar is surrounded by all kinds of food options, from quick and easy Turkish fast foods like döner and kokoreç to the most delicious and hearty kebabs and home-style meals. You can also walk around and see other important buildings like Hagia Irene and Topkapi Palace. You can take a walk to the Hagia Irene Museum or Topkapi Palace!

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Know Before You Go

  • This is not a guided tour. Enjoy discovering Grand Bazaar at your own pace by listening to the specially curated Audio Guide.
  • The Grand Bazaar is closed all day long on Sundays and during the holidays of the Ramadan and Sacrifice Festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Visit the Grand Bazaar?
This is different than a typical bazaar that you can see in the neighborhood every day. Containing a lot of history and multi-cultural background, it is worth seeing it all with your own eyes.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation to Visit the Grand Bazaar?
No, the Grand Bazaar is open to visitors every day except Sundays. You can visit there freely without any ticket or reservation.
Can I Visit the Grand Bazaar Without a Guide?
Yes, it is even better because meeting with a guide can be complicated in a crowded city like Istanbul, and we have great audio for our Pass holders!
How can I listen to my audio guide?
You can simply download them onto your own smartphone and listen to them easily. No need to hire a headset or earphones!
When Can I Visit the Grand Bazaar?
The Grand Bazaar is open everyday except sundays and the religious holidays of Ramadan and Sacrifice Festivals.
What makes Grand Bazaar special?
It’s hundreds of years old and was used in Ottoman times. It is still in use. That’s why it is special.
How much does it cost to visit the Grand Bazaar?
Visiting the Grand Bazaar is free, and also with a free audio guide it is a complete self-guiding tour for you!
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