The Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar)

Its real name might be the Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), but the Spice Bazaar is how everyone refers to it, and gives a better indication of what to expect inside. Found next to the Yeni Camii near the Golden Horn, this ancient covered market dates from 1660 and is Istanbul’s second biggest bazaar.

Although we found the shopping experience inside the bazaar stressful and monotonous, the architecture of the building and its sheer age are compelling. Egypt had been conquered by the Ottomans i...