9 of the Top Bazaars and Markets in Istanbul

Located in the UNESCO–listed zone of Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the cornerstone of the city’s shopping destinations. It's open all day long and is closed only on Sundays. This historic 15th-century dome-covered market features more than 4,000 shops (some dating back several generations), which sell a diverse range of souvenirs, including Turkish rugs, ceramics, and spices.

With 24 entrances and spread over more than 300,000 square feet (27,870 square meters) of stores to explore, it’s easy to get turned around in this labyrinth, so consider visiting with a shopping tour for ease. Alternatively, when you arrive, make note of your entrance number, and when you’re ready to go, any vendor will happily point you in the right direction.

Insider tip: If you find a souvenir you like but need time to think about it, ask for a business card from the shop owner to make it easier to find your way back.

Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar (also known as The Egyptian Bazaar) is an aromatic heaven in Eminönü Square that opens daily. It's famous for its spices such as Iranian saffron, sumac, and Aleppo peppers, but you can also find floral teas, dried fruits, and nuts of the highest quality here, too. (And even if you don’t have the intention to buy a kilo of cumin, vendors will often invite you to taste their products, free of charge.)

With around 85 shops and a simple L-shaped layout, the Spice Bazaar is also minuscule compared to the Grand Bazaar, which makes it an excellent alternative for travelers seeking a more laid-back Turkish market experience. Having said that, tours to the Spice Bazaar often add other top Istanbul destinations and experiences to the itinerary.

Insider tip: Sample, but don’t buy, pre-packaged Turkish delight at the Spice Bazaar. It’s overpriced, and some vendors have a reputation for offering top-notch samples and then selling a subpar, shrink-wrapped product.

If you’re in Istanbul on a Wednesday, don’t miss the bustling Çarşamba Pazarı. Located on Istanbul’s historic peninsula in the Fatih district, this market is where locals go every week to pick up high-quality fresh produce, household items, and knock-off clothing. The market is outside the tourist area, so you can expect to find reasonable fixed prices. However, as few foreigners visit the market, most vendors do not speak English, although you can still expect a warm welcome. After visiting the market, take a few minutes to check out the nearby Fatih Mosque, one of the city’s many architectural marvels.

Insider tip: Keep in mind that the Zeyrek neighborhood, where the market is situated, is more conservative than most tourist areas in Istanbul. While not obligatory, you may feel more comfortable dressing modestly.

Maximize your precious vacation budget at Sali Pazari, an Istanbul market that comes alive every Tuesday, and opens later into the evening than many other Istanbul marketplaces. This bustling market in the Kadikoy district invites you to explore a diverse array of fresh produce, clothing, and household items, offering an insider look at local Turkish shopping.

Few tourists visit this market, so you can expect to find local prices on some of the city’s best fruits and vegetables. Sali Pazari is also a great place to try traditional, no-frills Turkish foods, like gozleme (stuffed flatbread) and tavuklu pilav (chicken and rice).

Related: 15 Traditional Turkish Foods and Drinks To Try on Your Next Trip

In the 17th century, builders constructed the Arasta Bazaar to finance the adjacent Blue Mosque. Today, these shops, conveniently located in the heart of the Sultanahmet neighborhood, offer diverse Turkish goods like carpets, kilims (tapestry-woven rugs), ceramics, and local foods and tea.

The Arasta Bazaar—which opens daily—is yet another Istanbul bazaar where vendors expect some friendly haggling. To find the perfect carpet or ceramic piece at the market at a fair price, you might want to take a private shopping tour with a local guide.

Insider tip: The Arasta Bazaar sells some of the same wares as the Grand Bazaar, making it a convenient spot for time-strapped travelers in search of souvenirs.

Take a ferry from European Istanbul to the Asian side to visit the Kadikoy Market. Located a few minutes walk from the ferry port and open Monday to Saturday, it’s frequented by discerning locals and savvy tourists alike. This vibrant market offers a little of everything, from green Turkish plums to antique backgammon boards. It’s also a great place to find excellent quality dried fruit, olives, or cheeses—there are free samples of each, which is why many Istanbul food tours make a pit stop there.

Insider tip: After eating your way through this market, explore the narrow streets surrounding Kadikoy Market to find more affordable souvenirs, like Turkish dishware, decorative evil eyes (nazar), and spices.

Boasting over 450 stalls, the Ferikoy Antiques Market overflows with antique toys, from cherished childhood items to vintage collectibles. Open every Sunday, the market is also a favorite for collectors, showcasing vintage coins, jewelry, and gramophones, among a miscellany of other items that can run the gamut from (fun) junk to true treasures.

Art enthusiasts can find gems such as paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Prices vary widely, making it accessible for both serious collectors and casual tourists seeking unique relics of Istanbul's past.

Besiktas Fish Market is a seafood haven that reflects the surrounding neighborhood’s lively atmosphere. Enclosed in a unique triangular concrete structure, the open-air market is reminiscent of an airplane hangar. Here, each morning and into the evening, vendors arrange an array of fresh catches and colorful seafood delicacies, including Black Sea red mullets, mackerels, and sardines.

While all are welcome to look around, this market is by no means a tourist destination; rather, it’s where nearby seafood restaurants and Istanbulites get their top quality fish. But it still makes for a fun morning out if you’re in Istanbul for more than a long weekend.

Just outside the Grand Bazaar in the shadow of Beyazit Mosque sits the Used Book Market. Open seven days a week, this second-hand market is a paradise for book lovers seeking rare books, vintage periodicals, and antique photographs. Combine your visit to the grandest of Istanbul’s bazaars with a stop here for browsing, perusing, and possibly purchasing. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a literary gem.