COVERED BAZAARS of ISTANBUL
Duration: Full day (09:00 to 17:30)
Price: 40 Euro (per person-min 04)
Run: Everyday except Sunday
During this tour we will explore the most famous traditional
Turkish markets, which have centuries-old history. We will start
our tour at Sultanahmet Square, the center of the Old City. Here
the guide will give a sort briefing on major landmarks that grace
this area: Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Basilica.
After a panoramic tour, we will proceed to the first stop in
our shopping expedition: Arasta Bazaar, located just on the side
of Blue Mosque. Arasta Bazaar's shops overflow with treasures
that beckon visitors to buy, buy, and buy. Although the large,
chaotic, and exotic labyrinths of other Bazaars in Istanbul & Turkey
can be disorienting for first-time visitors who often become
visually and psychologically assaulted by so many products, shops,
merchants, and touts. Arasta Bazaar is small, simple but savvy
shoppers have discovered Arasta which yields many wonderful treasures
as well as result in numerous memorable experiences involving
the people who operate the shops.
Next we will proceed to historical Caferaga Medresseh (“medresseh” is
the name for the school, usually built within mosque complex),
located next to Hagia Sophia Basilica. This medresseh was built
in 1559 by famous architect Sinan, on the orderof eunuch Caferaga,
who served at harem during the reign of Suleyman The Magnificent.
This prominent building was renovated by Turkish Cultural Service
Foundation, and now houses various courses and workshops in traditional
Turkish hand-craft. Also, here we will visit the shop, selling
the finest example of had-craft items, made with respect to authentic
traditions.
After this visit, we will continue to famous Grand Bazaar. If
you choose to walk (about 20 min.) your guide will lead you through
Nuri Osmaniye Street. This elegant street is filled with modern
shops selling Turkey’s trade-mark goods: carpets, golden
jewelry, leather items, ceramics and many more. The street ends
at one of the entrances of Grand Bazaar, where we will spend
our next hour of devoted shopping. The area of Grand Bazaar was
a trade centre during the Byzantine period. Two bedestens were
built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to enrich the economic life
in the city. Later on as people needed more place for their trade,
they also added parts outside these bedestens. Throughout the
Ottoman period, the bazaar underwent earthquakes and fires and
was restored several times. Today, the atmosphere of the Grand
Bazaar is very interesting and has consequently become a very
popular place for tourists to explore a labyrinth of streets
and passages housing eighteen entrances and more than 4.000 shops.
The final visit of this tour is to Spice Market, which is located
in Eminonu district on the shore of Golden Horn Bay. Again, it
is possible to walk there from Grand Bazaar (about 15 min). Spice
Market (Egyptian Bazaar) was built in 1664 as a part of the Yeni
Cami complex, which is located next to it. Shops sold only spices
during Ottoman period. Today, there are some spice shops as well
as the ones selling dried fruit, borek (traditional Turkish pastry),
basket work, jewelry, haberdashery, drapery, and suchlike. The
bazaar has an “L” shape and six gates.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel or
Istanbul cruise port.
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Please take note of the following:
* 30% discount for children below the age 7, free for the ages
0-2
* Roman Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Basilica will
bee seen from outside
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up
point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops
What's Included:
* Pick up and drop off at your Hotel or Cruise Port
* Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coaches
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums,
parking and road tolls
* Lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra)
* Local taxes
