Istanbul's markets at a glance
| Market | District | Days | What you find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Bazaar | Beyazıt | Monday-Saturday | Jewellery, carpets, ceramics, lamps |
| Spice Bazaar | Eminönü | Every day | Spices, Turkish delight, teas, dried fruit |
| Arasta Bazaar | Sultanahmet | Every day | Carpets, kilims, ceramics, souvenirs |
| Kadıköy Salı Pazarı | Hasanpaşa | Tuesday and Friday | Fruit, vegetables, cheese, textiles |
| Kadıköy permanent market | Kadıköy | Every day | Fish, cheese, delicatessens |
| Feriköy antiques | Şişli | Sunday | Flea market, records, books, watches |
| Feriköy organic market | Şişli | Saturday | Growers, breads, honey |
The historic bazaars
The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) is the city's biggest covered market: about 3,600 shops, open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday. It is aimed at tourists, with haggling and high opening prices. The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), in Eminönü, is open every day and sells spices, Turkish delight, teas and dried fruit. Both can be visited in one day with the Sultanahmet district, see Istanbul in 2 days.
The Arasta Bazaar
Behind the Blue Mosque, the Arasta Bazaar is a restored covered street of 70 to 80 shops, quieter than the Grand Bazaar. It is the right choice if you are staying in the district or if the Grand Bazaar intimidates you; see the guide to Sultanahmet.
Neighbourhood markets
Kadıköy: Tuesday, Friday, and every day
On the Asian side, the Salı Pazarı is held in Hasanpaşa on Tuesday and Friday, from about 9am to 6pm: fruit, vegetables, cheese, olives, clothes and crockery, at neighbourhood prices. It moved from Fikirtepe to Hasanpaşa in 2021. The permanent Kadıköy market, behind the pier, is open every day: it is the answer if you do not land on a market day. The whole district is covered in our guide to Kadıköy and Moda.
Feriköy: flea market on Sunday, organic on Saturday
In Şişli, the Feriköy flea market takes place every Sunday from about 9am to 6pm, with more than 450 stalls of antiques and bric-a-brac. On Saturday, from about 8am to 2pm, the same site hosts an organic market. You will find records, books, watches and objects from the past; for anything that looks old, read the customs section of the guide to shopping in Istanbul.
Other neighbourhood markets
Most districts of the city have their own weekly market, which changes day from street to street. If you are staying in a residential district, ask your host which day the market near you falls: it is the best way to see the city like a resident. These markets have no easy-to-find official website; rely on the sign at the entrance and on the district municipality.
Planning by day of the week
- Monday: Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Arasta Bazaar.
- Tuesday and Friday: in addition, the Kadıköy Salı Pazarı; plan the morning.
- Saturday: Feriköy organic market in the morning, then the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon.
- Sunday: Feriköy flea market; the Grand Bazaar is closed, but the Spice Bazaar and the Arasta Bazaar stay open.
Tips for buying without being fleeced
- Haggle where it is the rule: in the historic bazaars, for carpets, jewellery and souvenirs; not in fresh-produce markets, where prices are quoted per kilo.
- Pay in Turkish lira, not euros, and refuse conversion into your own currency on a payment terminal; see money, payment and tipping in Istanbul.
- Carry small change for neighbourhood markets, where cards are not always accepted.
- Keep your bag closed in front of you in the crowd; the classic traps are described in scams and safety in Istanbul.
- Beware of counterfeits and ask for an invoice for any significant purchase.
- Taste before you buy in food markets: sellers readily hand over a sample.
Going further
To know what to bring home and where to buy it, read our guide to shopping in Istanbul: what to buy. For eating in the markets, see what to eat in Istanbul. To stay on a tight budget, our guide to the budget for Istanbul gives current prices.
