Spice Bazaar
Mısır Çarşısı
An L-shaped covered market built in 1664, overflowing with spices, Turkish delight, dried fruits and tea. It is smaller and more compact than the Grand Bazaar.
The Spice Bazaar stands behind the New Mosque beside the Eminönü pier. It is part of the New Mosque complex, and it was nicknamed the 'Egyptian Bazaar' because its early upkeep came from taxes on goods shipped from Cairo. Inside the L-shaped arcades are about 85 shops selling saffron, all kinds of spices, Turkish delight (lokum), nut pastries, dried fruits and apple tea. You can taste samples before buying by weight, and a moderate amount of haggling is fine. The alleys on the western side outside the market are home to old cheese, olive and coffee shops favored by locals. Entry is free. Getting there: T1 tram to Eminönü station.
Opening hours
08:00–19:30 (Sundays about 09:30–19:00)
Nearby sights
- Rüstem Pasha Mosque
- Galata Bridge & Eminönü
- Grand Bazaar
- Süleymaniye Mosque
- Galata Tower
- Gülhane Park
- Basilica Cistern
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts