Grand Bazaar Tours & Things to Do in Istanbul Turkey

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Istanbul 360 — a 360° look at Istanbul filmed on our private city tour. Quick Answer: The Grand Bazaar Istanbul is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, offering a vast labyrinth of over 4,000 shops. While entry is free, visitors should budget between $145-$1445 USD or more for shopping and food, plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring, and visit during the spring or fall for the most pleasant experience. What Is the Grand Bazaar Istanbul? The Grand Bazaar Istanbul , known in Turkish as Kapalıçarşı (meaning 'Covered Market'), is far more than just a shopping destination; it is a sprawling, living piece of history and the cultural and commercial heart of old Istanbul. This magnificent maze of 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops is a self-contained city, complete with its own mosques, fountains, hammams (Turkish baths), and cafes. Established in the 15th century , it represents one of the world's first and most enduring shopping malls, a vibrant testament to the enduring legacy of the Ottoman Empire. Its story begins in 1455 , just two years after Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople. The Sultan commissioned the construction of two stone *bedestens* (domed, fireproof halls) to secure the trade of valuable goods like textiles and jewels. The first was the Cevahir Bedesten (Jewel Bedesten), and the second was the Sandal Bedesten. Over the following centuries, as trade flourished, artisans and merchants built shops around these core structures. Streets were gradually roofed over, and the complex expanded organically, absorbing surrounding workshops and courtyards. By the 17th century , it had reached its current sprawling form, becoming the epicenter of Mediterranean and Silk Road trade, a place where goods and ideas from Asia, Europe, and Africa converged. This history is palpable as you walk its ancient, stone-paved lanes, making a visit one of the most