Istanbul · Bazaars and Süleymaniye
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
An L-shaped covered market of 86 shops, built in the 1660s beside the New Mosque, selling spices, dried fruit, tea and sweets.
- 1 h
- Free
- Booking: not needed
- Bazaars and Süleymaniye
Data checked on November 2, 2026
Turhan Sultan had the bazaar built as part of the New Mosque complex, and it was finished in 1664. The name refers to the taxes from Egypt that paid for it. It was restored in 1940 to 1943 and again in 2015 to 2018. Today it sells spices, herbs, sweets and souvenirs.
What to look for
- Mounds of spices and dried herbs
- Turkish delight and dried fruit stalls
- The L-shaped vaulted hall
Opening hours
Hours not confirmed. Check the official site.
No opening hours are published for the market as a whole. Hours vary by shop, so check on the day.
Source: Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Free. There is no ticket.
Getting there
Take the T1 tram to Eminönü; the entrance faces the New Mosque square.
Tip
Walk through once, then buy on the way back, and compare two or three shops before buying saffron or tea.