Historical Old Bazaar

The Historical Old Bazaar — almost certainly the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — sits in the heart of Istanbul's old city, roughly 2 km from Hagia Sophia, and ranks among the world's oldest and largest covered markets. Sultan Mehmed II commissioned its first hall in 1461 to anchor commerce in the newly conquered Ottoman capital; the market grew over centuries through fires, reconstructions, and expansions into a vaulted labyrinth of more than 60 streets and over 4,000 shops. Visitors move through corridors hung with hand-painted lanterns, past stalls selling hand-knotted carpets, gold jewellery, leather goods, spices, and lokum. Prices are negotiable, the aroma of saffron and rosewater is constant, and simply navigating the warren of arched passages is an experience in itself — even without buying anything.