- Self-guided audio tour of Istanbul’s historic Spice Bazaar using your smartphone
- Discover the Ottoman roots of the Egyptian Bazaar and its link to the New Mosque
- Explore stalls filled with spices, Turkish delights, teas, and local flavors
- Walk freely through the vibrant market without a guide or schedule
Spice Bazaar Audio Guide
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Spice Bazaar Audio Guide
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Overview
Explore Istanbul’s legendary Spice Bazaar using your smartphone for a guided audio journey at your own pace. Wander through colorful aisles of spices, Turkish delights, dried fruits, teas, and more as the guide shares stories of its Byzantine origins and Ottoman legacy. Discover how this “Egyptian Bazaar” was built to fund the New Mosque and how it remains one of the world’s largest spice markets today. No group, no visible guide, just rich history and sensory adventure in Eminönü.About This Activity
Audio guide included
Listen to a curated audio guide in English.
Flexible cancellation
Plans can change, no problem. Learn about the refund policy.
Duration
1 Hour
Audio Guide
Specially curated audio guide in English
Guided Tour
Explore at your own pace
Personal Expenses
Any shopping or items you buy inside the bazaar are not included.
Start your visit anytime
No need to join a group or follow a schedule. Just open the audio guide on your phone and begin exploring the Spice Bazaar at your own pace.
A journey through scent and history
Walk through the colorful halls of one of the oldest covered markets in Istanbul. Hear the story of how the bazaar was built to support the New Mosque and learn about the trade routes that brought exotic goods to this corner of the city.
About the Spice Bazaar
Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, this 17th-century market is filled with stalls selling spices, teas, Turkish delights, dried fruits, and natural remedies. It's a perfect mix of sensory experience and cultural discovery.
What to look for
Wander past rows of saffron, sumac, and rose tea. Discover old signage, hidden fountains, and the history behind each section of the bazaar. All with the audio guide in your ear.
Meeting point
Spice Bazaar
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Spice Bazaar is open 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays, and closed on public and religious holidays.
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This is a self-guided audio tour on your smartphone
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The bazaar is open daily but closed on public and religious holidays
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The market can get crowded, so early morning visits are more peaceful
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Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking through the bazaar's stone floors
Cancellation Policy
Questions?
Visit the istanbul.com Help Centre for any further questions.
Product code: 460360P305
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Spice Bazaar is also known as Egyptian Bazaar. In Turkish, Spice Bazaar is called Misir Carsisi, and ‘Misir’ means Egypt.,
Every day, apart from religious and public holidays, the Spice Bazaar is open between 9 AM - 6 PM.
You may purchase coffee sets, chess sets, backgammon sets, Turkish delicacies, spices, herbs, and more. Even though you don't intend to purchase anything, the bazaar has a rich history and served as Istanbul's central marketplace throughout the Ottoman era.
The market was built as a component of the New Mosque in the 1660s, and the mosque's charity endeavors, which included a school, hamam, and hospital, were supported by the rent from the shops.
