I was looking froward to the Grand Bazaar and while I'm glad I was able to see it, I would…read morerecommend visiting the Spice Bazaar instead. First, to describe, the Grand Bazaar was overwhelmingly smokey. With the heat the smell was even more unpleasant on top of being extremely crowded and I was disappointed to learn from our guide that everything luxury branded is fake. Our visit was included in a tour we took and while I'm glad I was able to visit it, I much preferred the Spice Bazaar which was less busy and had better air quality. All in all, I wouldn't recommend taking a tour that includes the Grand Bazaar during the Summer but stopping in on your own time for a few minutes to take in the history of the space is definitely worth it.

It's definitely a lot to handle and experience. In essence it's a huge "flea market" that is…read moreperfect for souvenirs and such. The people can be alittle aggressive but you just gotta give them that same energy. It's doesn't need to be an all day thing but I recommend spending atleast 3-5 hours in there (thankfully it's huge so that's actually easy)

It's not a trip to Istanbul unless you visit the spice bazaar at least a couple of times!…read more The spice bazaar is filled with anything and everything you could possibly imagine! Spices that are grown in the country, imported from other countries, and there are some amazing finds. We wandered through almost every nook and cranny, and after a while, one store is very much like another period. It can become overwhelming trying to figure out who to bargain with, which spices are the best, and if it's really a deal. There are tons of shops that are more dessert, shops, and feature more types of baklava than I think I've ever seen in my entire life. Each piece looks tastier than the last. Definitely be aware of shady shop owners. There's no other way to say it. Just be cautious when shopping. While I loved the architecture, the tremendous amounts of spices, jewelry, textiles, etc. I actually ended up walking away without buying anything. Shop owners and customers alike were smoking all over the spices, in the stores, and it just made the idea of purchasing what should be Fresh items unappealing. It's still a great place to wander through and look at all the wonderful items that are for sale. It's definitely a place you don't want to miss out on. Diners tip: ironically there is a Michelin star rated restaurant at this location. Reservationsare a must.

So we had just walked down from the Grand Bazaar and decided to head to the Egyptian Bazaar Spice…read moreBazaar. It was as advertised mostly spice shops selling spice, tea, coffee and the like. So why 3 stars you ask? There was nothing special about the place aside from crossing it off a list we had made up before we had traveled here. The shops were basically duplicated in the Grand Bazaar. If you have time constraints like we did, you should head to the Grand. It has all the spices and vendors this one has plus all of the other stuff. And I agree with Celeste B that stopping to window shop will trigger the hard sale pitch to get you in. Tea is the gateway drug lol

I did a walking tour in Istanbul. Our last stop was at the Grand Bazaar. I have been told that it…read moreis the largest market in the city. It's huge! You can easily get lost looking at a ton of merchandise. I bought M&M's cell phone cases. I also got Turkish tea. You can score pretty decent deals. If you need to bring back gifts, this place is for you. It does get busy. Pack patience with you! (106)

This place is a haggler's dream. I remember my visit so vividly. From the Turkish delight samples…read moreand gentleman pushing free apple tea to the comical haggling and beautiful scarves. This is *the* grand bazaar often credited fir today's modern mall concept. The energy is buzzing in every nook and cranny of the grand bazaar and you could easily lose yourself in the abundance of colorful stalls selling nearly everything under the sun- but most importantly, artistic Turkish treasures like rugs, lighting, scarves, etc. A few other notables that will mark this experience in your memory forevermore: -The beautiful call to prayer playing over the speakers throughout the hallways -the Grand Bazaar is located conveniently not too far from the spice bazaar (another great stop for treasures and smells) Don't be shy! Bartering is part of the experience and if you work at it, you're in for some deals and fun. (Note that bartering is part of the Turkish culture and almost like a sport in the Grand Bazaar).

Cool little art / tourist shop. Small but loaded with knickknacks etc. A few larger pieces…read more Owner was helpful and friendly. Perfect stop on the hill climb to Galata Tower to take a breather too!

The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning 'Covered Market'; also Büyük Çarşı, meaning 'Grand…read moreMarket', in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. The bazaar began in 1461 and steadily expanded over the centuries of Ottoman rule through to today. The Grand Bazaar is comprised of over 61 covered streets, over 4,000 shops, and covers a total area of over 40,000 meters. Between 250,000 and 400,000 people visit daily. It has been listed No.1 among the world's most-visited tourist attractions with over 91,000,000 visitors each year. The Grand Bazaar at Istanbul is described as one of the first shopping malls of the world. Carpets, lamps, ceramics, Turkish metal ware, water pipes, jewelry, cushions, pillows, small textiles, Hamman and fashion accessories, edibles, everything and anything. It would take days to cover the entire bazaar. You will get lost. Unless you are an expert, don't try buying a carpet.

From the Galata Tower to the Pera Museum you'll pass through (well, climb, might be a more accurate…read moreverb) a nice place to shop. Bereketzade is a charming and historic neighborhood located in the heart of Istanbul, Turkey. It is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, traditional Ottoman architecture, and bustling atmosphere. The area is filled with quaint cafes, local artisan shops, and vibrant street markets where visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture. Bereketzade offers a glimpse into the authentic daily life of Istanbul residents and provides a perfect setting for leisurely strolls and exploration. And you can meet some nice cats here.

Small cool intimate venue for unique art pieces. Just saw the opening of 'all we ever wanted was…read moreeverything' on 6 May 2016. New art shows there regularly. A great neighborhood, not gentrified. Museum of Innocence is a few blocks away. Get some wine and then let your mind expand with some contemporary art.

We were looking for a restaurant to go to near Galata Bridge on a recent vacation to Istanbul. Our…read morehotel front Desk guy said not to eat in the restaurants under the bridge because they're touristy. Instead they said to turn left after walking along Galata Bridge and you'll find a small market. This is where we found this small restaurant. After you order, they seem to go "shopping " at the nearby stalls. They they cook it there. It must have been the best meal we've ever had in Istanbul...so fresh, so delicious and so cool! Service is fast and friendly. It's not fine dining, but the experience is surely first class and nothing beats eating like the locals. Best recommendation ever!