Spice Bazaar sits in the heart of Eminönü, one of Istanbul’s busiest and most historic districts. For over 350 years, this vibrant market has been the city’s gateway to spices, tea leaves, dried fruits, and delicacies brought from across the old trade routes. Here, you can still feel the rhythm of traditional Istanbul shopping—bargaining, scents, colors, and all.
In this guide, you’ll find the insider tips you need to make the most of your visit to the Spice Bazaar.
- Opening Hours: 09:00–19:00 (Open daily)
- Shops may start winding down after 18:30, especially on weekdays.
- Entrance Fee: Free of charge
- Best Time to Visit: Mornings or early afternoons
- Famous For: Spices, local tea leaves, Turkish delight, saffron, roasted nuts
- Nearest Tram Stop: Eminönü
For more details on visiting tips and shop recommendations, see the related section in the article.
About Spice Bazaar
During the Ottoman period, the Spice Bazaar served almost exclusively as a marketplace for spices brought from Egypt and the eastern trade routes. Over time—and especially with the rise of modern tourism—its offerings expanded, and today you’ll also find shops selling jewelry, souvenirs, and specialty food products.
The bazaar was constructed alongside the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) in the 17th century, forming an elegant L-shaped market that resembles a smaller, more intimate version of the Grand Bazaar. Thanks to its recent restoration, the Spice Bazaar now looks brighter and more polished than ever—some even say it outshines the Grand Bazaar in atmosphere and presentation.
When it comes to shopping, the Spice Bazaar is one of the easiest places to navigate. Herbal tea leaves, dried fruits, nuts, Turkish delight, saffron, and many other traditional products are often sold side-by-side in the same shop, meaning you don’t need to wander far to find everything you’re looking for.
Istanbul Spice Bazaar Opening Hours 2025
Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar is open daily between 09:00 and 19:00 in 2025. Since it operates every day of the week, it is often preferred by visitors as a reliable alternative to the Grand Bazaar, which is closed on Sundays.
Please note that the Spice Bazaar is closed during religious holidays. If your trip coincides with Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan Feast) or Eid al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast), you will not be able to enter the interior of the bazaar during these periods.
Also Known As Egyptian Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar is also known locally as the Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı). The name comes from the Ottoman period, when many of the goods sold here—especially spices—arrived in Istanbul through Egypt. Caravans carried spices from Asia to Alexandria, where they were loaded onto ships and transported across the Mediterranean to the bazaars of the empire.
The area surrounding the Spice Bazaar is just as lively as the market itself. Uzunçarşı Caddesi (the Street of the Long Market) runs along one side of the bazaar and is filled with traditional shops frequented by Istanbulites. Strolling through this street gives you a glimpse of the city’s everyday commercial life.
Just behind the bazaar lies Mahmutpaşa Yokuşu, one of the most famous local shopping streets in Istanbul. The word yokuş means “slope” in Turkish, and this particular slope is lined with dozens of small shops selling inexpensive clothing and household items. It’s a bustling, authentic marketplace where locals bargain daily.
If you walk up Mahmutpaşa Yokuşu with the Spice Bazaar and the sea at your back, you can follow this historical shopping route all the way to the Grand Bazaar. It’s one of the best ways to experience Istanbul’s traditional marketplace culture step by step.
Places around Spice Bazaar
Around the Spice Bazaar, two important Ottoman mosques are especially worth visiting: the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque. The latter, built in the 16th century by the renowned architect Sinan, is famous for its exquisite Iznik tiles—some of the finest examples in Istanbul.
The New Mosque, despite its name, is more than 350 years old. It was commissioned by a Valide Sultan (the mother of the reigning sultan), which gives it a distinguished place among imperial Ottoman mosques.
The area around the bazaar is also one of Istanbul’s most vibrant food hubs. Local eateries serve classic Turkish street foods such as döner, pide, and kebab, making Eminönü one of the most popular stops on Istanbul street food tours.
If you continue walking toward Sirkeci after exploring the bazaar, you will reach Hocapaşa Street, a narrow lane filled with traditional restaurants offering some of the city’s best home-style dishes.
To find the Spice Bazaar and other historical landmarks with ease, you can refer to my detailed Istanbul Tourist Attractions Map, where I marked all the major sites on a clear, easy-to-follow map.
Written by Serhat Engul
Bonjour, le bazaar egyptien est fermé le 10,11 , 12 avril mais sera-il ouvert le samedi 13? J’arrive le 10avril et repars le 13 au soir j’espérais pouvoir visiter le 13 avant mon départ..
merci par avance ☺️
Bonjour Lilas, oui il sera fermé pendant les vacances, c’est à dire les 10, 11 et 12 avril, mais il ouvrira le 13. Le bazar aux épices est en fait ouvert toute l’année, y compris les samedis et dimanches. Cependant, il n’est fermé que les jours de fêtes religieuses.
Is the Spice Market open on April 21.22 or 23 of 2023. Thanks. Do you do tours those days. Concerned about Eid Al Fitr.
Hi Barb, Spice Market and Grand Bazaar are closed on religious holidays. No, I don’t do tours that include Istanbul’s bazaars in those days. Have a nice trip!