Historically, Istanbul continues the tradition of bazaars and baths from the time of the Ottoman Sultans after the Turkish Conquest back in 1453, this was the major area for trade because it is conveniently located just by the protected harbor of the Golden Horn.
These narrow streets form the labyrinth alleys around covered and vaulted shops where the Ottoman merchants sold their goods. Arrayed around these small streets of shops, there are huge “hans”, inner city “caravansarays” where the foreign merchants stayed to do trade with the locals and then get washed in “hamams” before they left for home.
This is the heart of commercial Istanbul. The main artery is the “Makro Embelos” ( aka Bond Street or the Fifth Avenue) The Long Arcade which has been the principal shopping street in Byzantine Constantinople and Ottoman Istanbul and still today’s modern Istanbul.
Our tour includes:
- Grand Bazaar and its streets, hans, shops, shop keepers
- Cemberlitas and Cagaloglu Hamams from 16th Century
- Tahtakale in Eminonu with the Spice Market
- Spice Market in Eminonu
- Kadikoy on the Asian side with a very residential market area
After a day full of shopping and history, return to hotel.
Bazaars & Hamams
