Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Delight to the senses
- Delicious Turkish delicacies
Time required: 50 minutes
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Mon - Sat: | 9am - 7pm |
| Sundays: | Closed |
Public transport:
- Tram Line T1: Eminönü stop
Address: Rüstem Pasa Mh, 34116 Istanbul
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: brainsik
Things you need to know:
- Egyption or Spice Market is a large covered shopping complex in Istanbul's Eminönü neighborhood. It is part of the New Mosque building complex
- It was built in 1660 to help finance the mosque's construction and its maintenance
- The name of the market derives from the fact that, once, spice imported from Egypt was the main commodity sold here
- Nowadays the market has shifted towards satisfying the tourist trade selling goods such as small souvenirs, T-Shirts, pistachios and almonds, coffee and tea or Belly-dancing outfits
- Stalls running along the outside walls still sell spices. The spice market remained the center of the spice trade in Istanbul
- The building has an "L"-shape and holds 88 vaulted rooms. It is the second largest shopping complex in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar
What to do there:
- Just walking past all the shops with their many nuts, dried fruits, teas, candies and spices is a pure delight
- Bargain hunting is the key as most items are offered initially for 15-50% more
- Try some candied chestnuts. They are traditional Turkish sweets
Tips & Insights:
- It's a lot smaller than the Grand Bazaar, but you will find it more pleasant
- The merchants usually are less aggressive and more amicable
- We recommend not buying the 8in1 or 12in1 tea packs. They are of very poor quality
