Anyone craving exotic food should visit the Egyptian Market in Istanbul.

You'll find a plethora of spices in particular, but you can also take home Turkish sweets, dried fruits, herbs and nuts. Even without shopping, however, a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar is absolutely unforgettable thanks to its unique atmosphere.

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The Egyptian Bazaar is also often called the Spice Bazaar, and in Turkish you may come across the name Mısır Çarşısı.

Is it worth visiting the Egyptian Bazaar?

✅ Yes, if:

• you are tempted by the smell of spices and Turkish sweets
• you're looking for a quick stop in the centre

❌ More likely no, if:

• you don't like crowds and sales pressure
• you're looking for a quiet landmark
• you are looking for authentic attractions

Many guidebooks refer to the Egyptian Bazaar as an "authentic" place and a quieter alternative to the larger Grand Bazaar.

My experience has been the complete opposite - beautiful building, interesting atmosphere, but an extremely touristy place.

❓ How did you like the Egyptian Bazaar? Share your experience and photos in the comments below.

Exotic spices on every corner

The Egyptian Bazaar is located in a very strategic place, near the port of Eminönü, where ships with oriental goods used to arrive in the distant past.

The market was established in the 17th century and became the first place where exotic spices from far away Asia were traded. Today, the market is the largest spice market in the world.

When you get tired of exploring the indoor market, on the west side you will find outdoor stalls where locals sell fresh food. Try the delicious Turkish coffee and don't forget to sample the delicious local cheeses.

What to buy at the Egyptian Bazaar?

Of course, you can just visit the Egyptian Bazaar and browse among the many attractions it has to offer. But you can also pick up cheap and authentic souvenirs at the market. What to buy at the Egyptian Bazaar?

• Spices - you can buy practically anything - cinnamon, cardamom, curry and much more - besides the classics, look for Turkish pepper, scampi or saffron
• Turkish sweets - especially lokum - small and very sweet cubes of different flavours and colours that resemble jelly
• nuts and dried fruits - there is a plethora of different nuts and dried fruits on the market - we especially recommend dates and figs
• pomegranate syrup - a delicious sauce that can be used for making drinks, but also as an accompaniment to meat or hummus
• Turkish tea - you can find a variety of herbal and black teas on the market, the most authentic being the classic Turkish black tea from the province of Rize

Admission and opening both

The Egyptian Bazaar is open every day from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

There is no entrance fee to enter the Egyptian Bazaar. Then, in the vast majority of cases, only cash can be paid on the spot.

Transport to the Egyptian Bazaar

As the Egyptian Bazaar is practically in the centre of the city, it may be easiest to walk to many of the tourist destinations and sights.

If you are outside the historic centre, you can use the public transport network to get to the Egyptian Bazaar by the following methods:

• Tram - Eminönü stop: take tram number 1 from other sights in the historic centre and from the more distant districts of Istanbul.
• Metro - Halic stop: take the M2 metro line from the north of Istanbul, from the metro station to the market you need to walk for about 15 minutes

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