Guide or free visit?

A free visit costs nothing and suits you if you can bargain, like to wander and know what you want to buy. A guide is useful in three cases: you want to understand the history of the place and its hans, you dread pushy sellers, or you want to see what you cannot see alone, such as the restored roofs, the han courtyards and the workshops. Our Grand Bazaar page gives the map and hours for a free visit.

What the "from rooftops to secret passages" tour offers

The tour we recommend in the box on this page, "from rooftops to secret passages", combines the streets, lesser-known passages and the bazaar's roofs, open to visitors in small groups since 2024. It is a chance to see the bazaar from above, which you cannot do alone. The exact programme, duration, language and price should be checked on the listing when you book: we could not confirm them.

Pitfalls to know

  • Commissions: some improvised street "guides" take you to a shop where they earn a percentage of your purchases. A guide booked in advance has no such interest in steering you to a shop; ask before you book.
  • False "officials": do not buy an entry ticket; entry to the bazaar is free.
  • Fakes: cheap branded bags and watches are copies.
  • Bargaining: compare two or three shops before buying a carpet or jewellery and insist on an invoice; see the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar.

What to see outside the tour

The Cevahir Bedesten, the heart of the bazaar, and neighbouring hans such as the Büyük Valide Han are calm places. Nearby, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and the Süleymaniye are a few minutes away. For food, see where to eat near the Grand Bazaar.

Practical tips

  • Come at opening; Saturday and late afternoon are crowded.
  • Pay in Turkish lira rather than euros.
  • Keep your bag closed in front of you.
  • For souvenirs, see what to bring back from Istanbul.