What is it - Ever since Emperor Constantine established the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire at Constantinople in the 4th century, the city has served as the trading center for merchants and a crossroads between Europe and Asia. For centuries thereafter, caravans from the east as well as ships from ports on the Black Sea and the Mediterranean journeyed there. The city’s strategic location in the Bosporus Straits also attracted crusaders, pretenders to the Byzantine throne and conquerors. In 1453, after decades of struggle and sieges, the Ottoman Turks took the city. 

“the store owners are full of personality and use enticements like sweet tea or samples of Turkish delight to get you interested in their wares”

The first two buildings of the Grand Bazaar were constructed by order of  Sultan Mehmet the Great in 1461. After almost six centuries of activity, the stone and brick Bazaar covers over 11 acres and houses more than 3,500 shops under one roof by using arches to connect the buildings.  Groups of shops offer carpets, antiques, jewels, gold and silver, fabrics, leather goods, clothes, souvenirs, and luxury goods. Although short on some of the amenities found in Western malls such as restaurants, bathrooms and amusements, the store owners are full of personality and use enticements like sweet tea or samples of Turkish delight to get you interested in their wares. If you see the perfect handbag or shirt but there seems to be nothing in your color or size, a runner will quickly procure the necessary item as quickly as you can say abracadabra. 

Since the Bazaar experience can be overwhelming, the best approach to enjoying the experience is to go in with one or two items in mind such as a leather briefcase or a copper tea set, and then concentrate on comparing samples of that item in several shops before negotiating a sizable discount from the offered price. It is also useful to identify some landmarks near one of the entrances when you arrive so you can find your way around and keep track of your group.

 Interesting facts - More than 250,000 people visit the Bazaar each day and some sources consider it to be the world's number one attraction with an estimated 91 million annual visitors. A series of connected buildings of odd sizes and shapes make up the bazaar. Nevertheless, James Bond rode a motorcycle across the roof in pursuit of a villain in one recent movie chase scene.

How to get there - Once you are in Istanbul, the Bazaar can be readily reached from the   tramway line by getting off at the Beyazit stop or by a 15 minute walk if you choose a hotel within the Sultanahmet section of town.

When to go - While Istanbul can be cool and somewhat rainy in the winter, the Grand Bazaar offers a refreshing change of pace from the city during the heat of the summer and throughout the year. 

Cost - There is no admission charge for entry to the Grand Bazaar so you can set your own budget.