The Grand Bazaar at a glance
The Grand Bazaar, Kapalıçarşı in Turkish, is a covered market in the old city. It was founded in 1461. Entry is free and you need no ticket for a normal visit. Many people combine it with the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, for example on a guided walk. See Istanbul old city tours for options that include a bazaar stop.
Plan around Sunday. The bazaar is closed on Sundays and on religious holidays. The Blue Mosque pauses visits for prayer, so the two do not always line up on the same day. See the Blue Mosque visiting hours to fit both in.
Our pick: the bazaar from the rooftops
A guided walk through the Grand Bazaar that also goes up to the rooftop terraces.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that include the Grand Bazaar
Old city walks with a bazaar stop, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours and closures
Check ahead around holidays.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday | 08:30–19:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Religious holidays | Closed |
For most visitors, a weekday morning is the simplest plan. If your trip includes a religious holiday, check that day's opening before you travel across town.
Size, gates and layout
What the numbers mean for your visit.
A market the size of a district
The bazaar has 3,600 shops, 65 streets and 14 hans, with 45,000 m² under cover. The whole site covers 110,868 m². Not every shop is open every day, so treat the counts as a size, not a promise.
The gates
The gates include Beyazıt, Nuruosmaniye, Mahmutpaşa and Örücüler. Pick a gate on the side you come from, then follow the main streets. Expect to loop around, because the lanes cross at many angles.
What is sold
Typical goods are carpets, bags and textiles, gold and silver jewelry, antiques, ceramics and souvenirs. Food stalls with sweets and tea are mixed in. 
Walking in from Sultanahmet
The route from the Blue Mosque passes the Hippodrome. Read about the square on the Hippodrome page before you go.
Shopping tips
A product being typical does not mean any single item is genuine or good value. Use ordinary care.
- Compare prices in several shops before you buy.
- Ask for the final price, including anything extra, before you agree.
- For carpets, gold and antiques, take your time and do not buy under pressure.
- Keep a receipt for larger purchases.
If you only want a quick taste of the market, the guided walks above include a short bazaar visit.
The Arasta bazaar by the Blue Mosque
A smaller market next to the mosque.
The Arasta market was part of the original Blue Mosque complex, and shops still stand beside the mosque. It is much smaller than the Grand Bazaar. Check its hours on site, because they are not the same as the Grand Bazaar. Read more in the history of the Blue Mosque.
The Hippodrome
Obelisks and the Serpent Column.
Old city tours
Walks past the mosque and the bazaar.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Another great mosque, with views of the Golden Horn.
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and the Basilica Cistern are covered in the Sultanahmet guide.
The gates, the hans, bargaining and the Spice Bazaar in more depth: Grand Bazaar guide.
One day with the mosque and the bazaar
A sequence that works around prayer breaks and the Sunday closure.
Morning: the mosque
Visit the Blue Mosque early in the day and leave before the midday prayer break. On Fridays, visits start at 14:30, so swap the order.
Midday: the square
Use the prayer break for the Hippodrome. The monuments are in the open and free.
Afternoon: the bazaar
Go to the Grand Bazaar well before 19:00. Allow time to look first and buy later.
Sunday plan
The bazaar is closed. Spend the day on the mosques and the square instead, for example the Süleymaniye Mosque, and check its hours on the day.
In winter the mosque closes earlier, 17:00 from 1 October to 31 March, so the bazaar may be your only late stop. Details on visiting hours.
Key facts in one table
The key numbers at a glance.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1461 |
| Shops | 3,600 |
| Streets | 65 |
| Han buildings | 14 |
| Covered area | 45,000 m² |
| Whole site | 110,868 m² |
| Entry | Free, no ticket |
For most visitors, one to two hours is enough for a first look. Come back on another weekday if you want to shop.
Grand Bazaar: frequently asked questions
What are the Grand Bazaar opening hours?
Monday to Saturday, 08:30–19:00. It is closed on Sundays and on religious holidays.
Is the Grand Bazaar open on Sunday?
No. It is closed on Sundays. Plan your visit for another day.
Do I need a ticket?
No. A normal visit is free and needs no ticket.
How old is the Grand Bazaar?
It was founded in 1461.
What can I buy there?
Carpets, bags and textiles, gold and silver jewelry, antiques, ceramics and souvenirs. Compare prices and take your time.
Is this an official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the bazaar or any government body.