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About This Activity
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FREE with PassAccess top attractions at no extra cost
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Explore at Your Own PaceWalk around freely with exclusive audio guides
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No Reservation NeededBook ticket in advance to guarantee admission
Highlights
- Enjoy a self-paced tour with a detailed audio guide, exclusively with your Istanbul Tourist Pass®.
- Get in the vibrant atmosphere of one of Istanbul's most iconic markets, filled with exotic spices, Turkish delights, and more.
- Discover the rich history of the Spice Bazaar, dating back to Byzantine times and constructed as part of the New Mosque complex in the Ottoman era.
- Indulge your senses with the aromatic spices, Turkish delights, baklava, teas, and dried fruits on offer.
- Explore the world's largest spice market, a cultural landmark and the second-largest covered bazaar in Turkey.
- Make your Istanbul adventure unforgettable with the Istanbul Tourist Pass® and enjoy exclusive audio guide to the Spice Bazaar.
Includes
- Free Audio Guide for Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar: Where spices and cultures mix
The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar (Turkish: Mısır Çarşısı), is one of the oldest and most famous covered markets in Istanbul, Turkey. The Spice Bazaar, where the market has traditionally operated since Byzantine times, is situated on the seaside side of Eminönü. In those days, when marine trade was prominent, Eminonu had a booming commercial activity. Istanbul's strategic location between East and West, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea made it one of the most significant trading hubs during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Istanbul served as the hub of global trade for ages. In the same spot as the current Spice Bazaar, there existed a former Spice Bazaar called "Makron Envalos" during the Byzantine era.
From the Byzantine era to the Ottoman, this market was operational but not very organized. Then, to raise money for the care of the neighboring New Mosque, the construction of Istanbul's Spice Market started. So the Spice Bazaar was first constructed as a component of the New Mosque complex to serve as an economic facility to allow the pious foundation to survive without assistance or support from outside sources. Today it is the largest spice market in the world is and the second-largest covered bazaar in Turkey.
A Spice Bazaar tour is truly more than fantastic in every meaning of the term. When you visit the Spice Bazaar, you can find yourself drifting off easily while you buy a variety of spices, natural cures for aches and ailments, and time-tested aphrodisiacs.
In fact, the spice market is a study of flavors and scents. A variety of Turkish delights, baklava, teas, Turkish coffee, and dried fruits may all be found here.
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
Weekdays and Saturdays: 8:00 AM - 7 PM
Sundays: 9:30 AM - 7 PM
Spice Bazaar is closed on national and religious holidays.
Where You'll Be
How to Get There?
Getting to the The Spice 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:
You can take the tram or a bus to Eminönü, then walk across the square with the New Mosque on your left, and head down the narrow street of vendors, before turning left into the bazaar.
All About the Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar is located on Eminönü's coastal side, where the market has long been open since the Byzantine era. When marine trade was prevalent at the time, Eminonu had a boom in its business sector. Istanbul was one of the most important trading centers during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras due to its advantageous location between East and West, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. For centuries, Istanbul was the center of world trade. During the Byzantine era, a Spice Bazaar called "Makron Envalos" was located where the modern Spice Bazaar is now.
This market was open from the Byzantine through the Ottoman periods, but it was not well organized. The development of Istanbul's Spice Market then began in order to collect funds for the maintenance of the nearby New Mosque. Consequently, the Spice Bazaar was initially built as a part of the New Mosque complex to function as an economic facility so that the devout foundation could operate without help or support from outside sources. It is currently the second-biggest covered bazaar in Turkey and the largest spice market in the world.
Visitors who have the Istanbul Tourist Pass® can enjoy a free audio guide at the Spice Bazaar. The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, is a colorful and vibrant marketplace located in Eminonu, Istanbul. This famous bazaar is the perfect place to discover the unique and exotic spices that Turkey has to offer. Visitors can stroll through the narrow alleys, marvel at the colorful displays of herbs, spices, nuts, and dried fruits, and even sample some of the delicious Turkish delights.
The Spice Bazaar is open every day from early morning until evening, and visitors can also explore the nearby Grand Bazaar, another famous marketplace in Istanbul that offers an even wider selection of goods. With the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, visitors can make the most of their visit to the Spice Bazaar with a free audio guide that will provide valuable insights into the history and culture of this fascinating place.
...Know Before You Go
- Spice Bazaar is a public place and you can visit freely.
- In order to listen to the audio guide, please log in to your Pass > Find Spice Bazaar > Click on Title > then you will be directed to the audio guide.
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