Ozkan - Private Guide in Istanbul

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Half Day Shopping Tour

Shopping tour in Istanbul

Tour Price : $200 Duration : 4 hours Languages: English, Turkish

A must for shoppers.

1-The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather, gold jewellery and the like. The bazaar has been an important trading centre since 1461 and its labyrinthine vaults feature two bedestens (domed buildings), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major restoration following an earthquake. The complex houses two mosques, four fountains, two hamams, and several cafés and restaurants. In the centre is the high domed hall of the Cevahir Bedesten, where the most valuable items and antiques were to be found in the past, and still are today, including furniture, copperware, amber prayer beads, inlaid weapons, icons, mother of pearl mirrors, water pipes, watches and clocks, candlesticks, old coins, and silver and gold jewellery set with coral and turquoise. A leisurely afternoon spent exploring the bazaar, sitting in one of the cafés and watching the crowds pass by, and bargaining for purchases is one of the best ways to recapture the romantic atmosphere of old Istanbul.

2-The Spicw Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in Eminönü, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. There are several documents suggesting the name of the bazaar was first "New Bazaar". However, due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt in the Ottoman period, the name "Mısır Çarşısı" was favoured by the public. The bazaar was (and still is) the center for spice trade in Istanbul. The building itself is part of the külliye of New Mosque, and rents from the shops within was intended to help pay for the upkeep of the mosque. The structure was designed by the chief court architect Koca Kasım Ağa, but completed by architect Dalgıç Mustafa in 1663. The Spice Bazaar is an “L”-shaped building, consisting of 88 vaulted rooms, almost all of which are now divided into an upper and lower story. Monumental gateways are at the ends of both halls, with chambers above each entranceway. The main entrance is in the southwest corner, facing the New Mosque.

Additional information

Tour information:
Tour Price: $200
Duration: 4 hours
Group Size: up to 6
Languages: English, Turkish
Tour package includes:
Airport Transfer :	NO
Hotel pick-up:	YES
Drop-off :	YES
Tour Transportation (car, van, limo, boat, etc…):	YES
Food and Drinks :	NO
Other services (fees apply):
Attraction tickets (concerts, theater, museum, circus...) :	NO
Translation services :	NO
Reservations (hotels, restaurants, airline) :	NO
Visa support :	NO
Additional information:
This tour must be booked at least 7 days in advance of your travel date :	NO
Tour groups must include a minimum of 2 passengers :	YES
Tour prices are flexible and based on your requirements :	YES