Spice Bazaar visitor guide: spices, Turkish delight and shopping in Eminönü
- Bazaars and hans
- Eminönü, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Spice Bazaar
Visitor information
| Type | Historic covered bazaar |
|---|---|
| Built | 1660s |
| Commissioned by / architect | Part of the New Mosque complex (completed under Turhan Hatice Sultan) |
| Neighbourhood | Eminönü, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Daily around 08:00–19:30 (varies by shop) |
| Closed on | First days of religious holidays |
| Admission | Free entry |
| Time needed | 45 min – 1.5 hours |
| Getting there | T1 Eminönü stop, 3 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 22 min walk (1.6 km) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. Level inside but narrow and crowded; difficult with a stroller on weekend afternoons |
| Best time | Before 10:00; weekend afternoons are very crowded |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
History of the Spice Bazaar
The bazaar was built within the complex of the neighbouring New Mosque, so that shop rents would cover the mosque’s expenses. After a long pause, the mosque and the bazaar were completed in the 1660s under Turhan Hatice Sultan. In the Ottoman period the bazaar sold spices, medicinal herbs and dyes from Egypt and the East, and it continues the same tradition today. It has about 85 shops and six gates.
What to buy and how to shop?
- Spices: Red pepper flakes, sumac, cumin, saffron and thyme are the most popular; vacuum packing stops them making your suitcase smell.
- Turkish delight and nuts: You can taste and choose pistachio, walnut and plain Turkish delight. Nut sellers usually offer tastings.
- Tea and herbal teas: Apple, pomegranate and linden teas make good gifts.
- Dried fruit and honey: Figs, apricots, dates and honeycomb.
Prices are labelled in most shops; asking for a discount on large purchases is common. We explain the logos of halal-certified products in our halal logos guide.
Around the bazaar
The streets behind the bazaar are full of flower sellers, plant nurseries and pet shops; towards Tahtakale, shops selling homeware and kitchen equipment begin. A few steps away is the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, famous for its tiles. When you leave the bazaar, you can take a ferry from the Eminönü pier or walk to the Galata Bridge.
Visiting tips
- On Sundays, when the Grand Bazaar is closed, the Spice Bazaar is open.
- Try the Turkish delight and nuts offered for tasting with your children; there is no obligation to buy.
- Have spices vacuum-packed; they will not make your suitcase smell and will stay fresh.
- Weekend afternoons are very crowded; prefer a baby carrier to a stroller.
Our family hotels near Spice Bazaar
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Spice Bazaar: 26 min walk (1.8 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Spice Bazaar: 27 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Spice Bazaar: 27 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Spice Bazaar: 27 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Is the Spice Bazaar open on Sundays?
Yes. The Spice Bazaar is open on Sundays too; it is only closed on the first days of religious holidays.
Why is the Spice Bazaar called the “Egyptian Bazaar” in Turkish?
It is said that its construction or revenues were covered by taxes from the Ottoman province of Egypt. The sale of spices and goods from Egypt in the bazaar also reinforced the name.
