The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the largest indoor market in the world located in the Old City. It brings together no less than 4,000 shops for 20,000 workers fluent in all imaginable languages: Russian, German, Italian, etc. Trade knows no borders in Istanbul. The number of visitors can reach 500,000 people per day. The Grand Bazaar was created in 1455 and its work was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Many fires ravaged the bazaar, the latest being in 1954. Half of the building was condemned.
The Grand Bazaar is a maze of shops of all kinds, however each district brings together a craft: silverware, jewelry, leather goods, etc. There is also a flea market where you can find a large array of old stuff, such as coins, old weapons, etc. It is also a hotspot for buying and selling gold and currencies. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul attracts locals as well as tourists in a friendly atmosphere, wedged between modern and old rooms, authentic and fake objects, West and East. In fact, in the movie Skyfall, James Blond is chasing the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar!
The different smells mix with the noise of the crowd and the kind solicitations of the vendors. In fact, they will invite you to sit with them for a sip of tea. You are under no obligation to agree and chatting with a merchant does not in any way imply an obligation to purchase. A great time to chat and a perfect opportunity to talk to locals.
Prices are not indicated so negotiation is required. In addition, it should be taken into account that there is no guarantee on the authenticity of the products. The very low prices of some so-called branded items are in fact counterfeit. The perfumes sold there may be allergenic because they are not of good quality and their origin is unknown. Also watch out for pickpockets and learn to find your way with the numbers above the shops. Finally, the Grand Bazaar opens its doors to you from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 7 pm. Come and do your shopping as in the days of the Sultans at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul!
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