Spice Bazaar Istanbul Guided Tour

Istanbul E-pass includes Spice Bazaar Area Guided Tour with English speaking Professional Guide. For details, please check "Hours & Meeting".

Spice Bazaar Istanbul

The Spice Bazaar next to the New Mosque and Flower Market in Eminonu, one of the oldest settlements in Istanbul, is home to three great civilizations. Spice Bazaar is one of the historical covered bazaars of Istanbul, Hatice Turhan Sultan, the mother of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet IV built the bazaar. Unlike the bazaars of the period, rubble stone, cut stone, and brick are used in its construction. The bazaar, whose construction was started in 1660 by the architect Kasim Aga, was completed in 1664 by Mustafa Aga, the Chief Architect of Hassa. According to some written sources, there was a covered bazaar called Makron Envalos in the Byzantine period at the same location. Venetians and Genoese traded in this bazaar. The building was named the Yeni Carsi and Valide Bazaar in the first years but has been referred to as the Spice Bazaar among the people since the 18th century. Reason; The bazaar was built with taxes collected from Cairo, that is, Egypt. Spices from Southeast Asia, India, and Egypt and distributed to Europe in Istanbul, the most important point of the Silk Road.

In the bazaar, which used to serve as a 'natural pharmacy', prescriptions made from certain herb mixtures were hung in front of the shops, and these mixtures were offered to customers who wanted them. This tradition continues today. Many shops sell different mixtures of spices and herbs that are known to be good for various diseases.

What time does the Spice Bazaar open?

The bazaar is open every day from 09:00 until 19:00 except for national/religious holidays. There is no entrance fee or reservation. A guided tour of Spice Bazaar is free with Istanbul E-pass.

How to get to Spice Bazaar?

From old city hotels: You can take the T1 tram to Eminonu district and walk 2-3 minutes to the main entrance of the Bazaar.

From Taksim hotels: You can take the F1 funicular to Kabatas station and change the line to the T1 tram from Kabatas to Eminonu district. From there you need to walk 2-3 minutes to the Spice Bazaar.