Shop at the Grand Bazaar

Well, the Grand Bazaar is pretty famous for its unique and various collection of things to buy, you can enter the jewelry section which has many shops for you to choose from just have a nice tour and choose your favorite piece to buy. You have also the Turkish delights and food section which the shops there will make you taste before you buy anything, so you know what to buy. Nevertheless, there are the carpets and clothes sections you might not want to miss out on. Bargaining however is pretty easy in the grand bazaar because the merchants are open for bargaining and they speak foreign languages so you might not find this hard from your in-language point of view.

Tour around the Beyazit Square

The Beyazit Square is one of the places that you must visit, it is located in front of Istanbul University and next to the Grand Bazaar and the Old Book Bazaar. If you ever had the chance to enter the university, then do it, the university design is not like any other, it was built as a fortress and has a martial design because it was built by the Ministry of War back in the Ottoman Empire, the university is a historical monument and very delightful to checkout. The Beyazit Tower is on the university’s campus and can be seen from the square.

In fact, the square has been the site for many protests, one in 1969 which is known as Bloody Sunday.

If you really like the area and don’t want to leave it, you can ride the tram and continue your way through the Egyptian spice bazaar and the Golden Horn, in the spice bazaar you can also shop for different kinds of spices and antiques, and eat some fresh fish at the fish bazaar which is one of the best places to eat fish and relax with a view over the golden horn.

Once finished from the spice bazaar, go to the top of the hill to the Suleymaniye mosque which is the largest mosque built by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, to reach the mosque you will need a ten-minute walk from Beyazit Square, you can enter the mosque, and wander its magnificent architecture, the mosque is open every day. But keep in mind if you are non-Muslim you should avoid visiting the mosque during the call to prayers and Friday which is the holy day for Muslims, because the mosque will be very crowded and you will not be able to witness its holiness.

The Beyazit district is one of the many places in Istanbul that has its unique identity and never fails to deliver for the people who visit it. The square was the former site of the Forum of Theodosius which was built by Emperor Constantine the Great, it has another name which is the Freedom Square but no one uses this name, it was named by Beyazit Square due to Beyazit Mosque which is located on one of its sides. The main attractions of the district are the Grand Bazaar and Beyazit Square alongside Istanbul University. If you started your journey to the old city in Beyazit, then you were not wrong, from there you can tour the district starting by the grand bazaar and going all the way to its square, later on you can still walk upward to reach the Suleymaniye mosque and reaching the golden horn to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, or once you finish from the district you can ride the tram all the way through Sultan Ahmet District and discover the wonderful Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet mosque. You can check the old book bazaar if you are a book reader since they have local and international books of every kind.

Frequently Asked Question

Where is Beyazit Square located?
Beyazit Square is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European side of the city. It's a central and historic location.
What are the main attractions near Beyazit Square?
Istanbul University: One of Turkey's oldest and most prestigious universities, with a unique fortress-like architecture. Grand Bazaar: One of the world's largest and oldest covered markets. Beyazit Tower: A historic fire watchtower within Istanbul University. Sahaflar Çarşısı (Old Book Bazaar): A charming market specializing in old and rare books.
How do I get to Beyazit Square?
The easiest way is by taking the Istanbul tram (T1 line) and getting off at the Beyazıt stop. It's also accessible by bus or taxi.
Is Beyazit Square safe?
Generally, yes. Like any major city square, be aware of your surroundings and belongings. It is often crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons.
What's the best time of day to visit Beyazit Square?
Mornings are generally less crowded, allowing for a more leisurely exploration of the area. Evenings can be lively, with street performers and a vibrant atmosphere.