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Grand Bazaar -Turkey’s Turkish delight



When I visit a new country, and when it comes to shopping, I always buy something that accentuates that countries flavor. Especially when you visit a country like Turkey, it offers the best of both worlds. Parted by Bosporus, One side of the river in Europe, and the other in Asia. The combination of both cultures giving Turkey a uniqueness and so one of a kind.


As I mention earlier, when I visit a new country, instead of buying the brands available in my own country, I want to buy or shop something that is not available in my country. What could be the best way to cherish Istanbul other than visiting Grand Bazaar? It is the largest and oldest covered market in the world. It’s not definitely an average experience of attending a regular mall or any modern-day shopping, colorful and kinetic with 250,000 to 400,000 visitors visiting in a single day. That’s the charm of Grand Bazaar.









Hospitality is the other name of Turkish culture, and that’s what you will find in Grand Bazaar in the cheerful and friendly faces of the bargaining shop owners while exploring those shops. Consisting of 61 alley and streets and 4000 thousand shops, it feels like walking in the history, fantastic ambiance, beautiful displays and glittering lights with the madding crowd with galore of shops in this massive marketplace. There are possibly a thousand things you can buy in Grand Bazaar, these are my picks:

Rugs - One word comes to my mind vibrant. You can’t give a pass on those beautiful patterned intricate woven Turkish rugs that have been popular for centuries. If you are able to carry it in flight, surely go for it.

Glassware and lamp - Grand bazaar is famous for Turkish mosaic lamp and glassware. Those bright Turkish lamps give Grand Bazaar its visual treat.


Pashmina Jacket and Shawl – Their colorful and beautiful pattern hypnotizes you. Grand Bazaar is famous for those Pashmina jackets and shawls, silk scarfs with magnificent motifs and tantalizing threadwork.

Pottery/ceramic - The thing that makes Grand Bazaar more magnificent and picturesque is pottery. Pottery or ceramic are something that one can treasure from Grand Bazaar. These have a typical Turkish motif and hand-painted.


Spice - Grand Bazaar offers the variety of spices with aroma and flavor. There are all kinds of choices available in Istanbul. These aromatic spices will leave you mesmerized. I bought saffron from Istanbul. It gives my Biryani a heavenly aroma and a luscious look.

Turkish Tea - One of the best aromatic teas to buy. You will find all kind of flavors here.

Turkeys delight - If you don't buy anything, buy Turkish delight. Made out food dry fruits, it's something that you shouldn't miss.


Evil eye - The Evil eye is a blue and white Nazar) is part of Turkish culture. You will get it in any form either jewelry, key chain or decor.


Leather goods and shoes - Grand Bazaar offers an array of leather goods, handbags and shoes but you need to be careful while buying and be able to differentiate between original and fake.

Jewelry - How can you go to Grand Bazaar and- come back without buying jewelry? Grand Bazaar is the hub of jewelry, diamond to gold to silver, just name it. I love typical Turkish jewelry with filigree work. These are so one of a kind, wearing those makes you stand out in the crowd.


Your negotiation skills will come absolutely handy buying in grand bazaar.

1. The bargain is part of Grand Bazaar culture.
2. You should expect to walk a lot.
3. It’s huge and crowded.
4. It’s not about international brands. It’s mostly indigenous.
5. Endless rows of shops with all kinds of goods.

Even if you don't buy, you can spend the whole day strolling around Grand Bazaar and be the witness to the uniqueness.

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Comments

  1. Via BellaJuly 21, 2017 at 6:07 PM

    I didn't even think about Turkey as being a combined culture between Europe and Asia but it's true. Thanks for sharing some of the culture.

    ReplyDelete
  2. acodezaJuly 22, 2017 at 5:24 AM

    I love the Glassware and lamp as well as Pottery/ceramic because they look like well-crafted and looks like timeless pieces. How I wish there are Turkeys delight that are made from dried fruits available in the supermarket. LOoks delish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. acupofassamteaJuly 22, 2017 at 11:48 AM

      Yes Arra , those were really scrumptious. Thank you 😊

      Delete
  3. Simply ApostoliaJuly 22, 2017 at 2:43 PM

    A lot of friends of mine have been in Turkey, and the Bazaar is like one of the TOP places to go. There is almost everything in there! I really wish i could go there, though i'm a bit afraid of Turkey lately.. Hope things will be calmer with the goverment there, and will be more "travel-friendly"

    ReplyDelete
  4. SimplyfoodJuly 22, 2017 at 5:18 PM

    I love all the spices and the ceramics they are so lovely I would want to buy them all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eliz FrankJuly 23, 2017 at 8:47 AM

    Everything you find in Turkey is a labor of love infused with a rich cultural history.... I could spend days at the Grand Bazaar!

    ReplyDelete
  6. CatvillsJuly 23, 2017 at 1:09 PM

    I love those pretty little trinkets! I dream of visiting Turkey's Grand Bazaar someday. I love buying small things that are unique to the places I visit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MichelleJuly 26, 2017 at 10:43 PM

    I love all of the colors in your photos! I would love to visit one day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. NiharikaJuly 28, 2017 at 12:36 AM

    Great post!! i love to visit place with cultural history...i hope to visit one day

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownAugust 5, 2017 at 6:45 AM

    i like aromatic tea

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pati SpringmeyerSeptember 14, 2017 at 12:53 PM

    It looks like a fabulous shopping adventure I would love to take part in one day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AiringMyLaundrySeptember 22, 2017 at 7:44 AM

    Oh fun, I just LOVE checking out bazaars. You just never know what you'll find, and I'm always impressed with what people can create.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Alli SmithSeptember 22, 2017 at 7:52 AM

    I would love to spend an afternoon looking at the Turkish Rugs! Visiting bazaars are a great way to find unique items.

    ReplyDelete
  13. candySeptember 22, 2017 at 7:54 AM

    We always try to sample the local food and drinks. Don't bring any back with us. Usually I bring back some jewelry or clothing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. JeannetteSeptember 22, 2017 at 8:47 AM

    I would love to explore a place like this. I love exploring other cultures other foods in anything that is out of the ordinary for me.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Christy MaurerSeptember 22, 2017 at 10:02 AM

    What an awesome experience! I would love to visit a bazaar like this some day. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to do the bargaining people do, but I'd try lol.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tomi CSeptember 22, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    I am mastering the power of bartering during my travels. My motto is "Pay full price for nothing". Lots of vendors are willing to make deals and I am eager to seize a good deal whenever I can.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kraus House MomSeptember 22, 2017 at 10:32 AM

    I would love to visit the Grand Bazaar. I would have to go with my husband, he is king of making deals. So many things I would want to buy, I need another suitcase.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sarah BaileySeptember 22, 2017 at 10:45 AM

    This looks like something I would love to visit and explore myself, I find markets and bazaars such interesting places to explore, you never quite know what you might find.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    Oh wow, this looks like a great place to visit. I learned about Turkey so thank you so much for that!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Julee MorrisonSeptember 22, 2017 at 8:51 PM

    The colors in the bazaar are gorgeous. I love the fusion of European and Asian. So many lovelies to be had.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sandy N VyjaySeptember 23, 2017 at 2:55 AM

    The Grand Bazaar sounds so exotic. The fare available there seem straight out of Arabian Nights.

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownSeptember 23, 2017 at 7:55 AM

    I traveled to Istanbul two years ago and it was one of the best experience I've had abroad. I fell in love with Turkey, it's people and it's food and this post bring back such wonderful memories of my time there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. NikkiSeptember 23, 2017 at 8:17 AM

    That tea shop is just amazing! I wouldn't even know where to start! I'd love to visit Turkey. It has such a rich history and so many fascinating places to see.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2017 at 1:27 PM

    I love learning about other cultures and I would love to visit this bazaar one day. I used to live near a Turkish grocery store and I loved getting the tea- so delicious and fragrant!

    ReplyDelete
  25. EmilySeptember 23, 2017 at 2:17 PM

    Wow, what an amazing adventure! I hope to travel more. I do love going to markets and local places like this when traveling. It allows me to step into the culture and also get some amazing souvenirs.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Kita BryantSeptember 23, 2017 at 3:02 PM

    I always hate having anything to do with things that are common in my country when I'm traveling. I love to get that authentic cultural experience from each new place I visit.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AdrianaSeptember 23, 2017 at 9:52 PM

    What an absolutely incredible place to visit! I am absolutely dying to visit Turkey, it's such a bucket list item of mine. So inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pinay Mommy OnlineSeptember 24, 2017 at 11:50 AM

    That place sounds amazing and is definitely added to my travel list. I think I would walk out of the Grand Bazzar with hands full of bought stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownSeptember 24, 2017 at 9:24 PM

    I would absolutely love to visit Turkey one day -- especially the Grand Bazaar. I would no doubt try a turkish delight, a few pashminas, and coffee of course!

    ReplyDelete
  30. priyanka nairJanuary 16, 2019 at 10:32 AM

    Wonderful post!! beautiful pictures

    ReplyDelete
  31. Jason MartinMay 10, 2019 at 2:36 AM

    There are many unique and interesting things to buy at Grand bazaar, at quite a fair prices.
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    ReplyDelete

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