The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul has been in the shopping business for over 550 years. Turkey’s ancient and giant covered mall can be both astounding and utterly confusing.
Estimated to have between 3000 to 5000 shops depending on the article you read, the 60 covered vault like streets of the Grand Bazaar are crammed with tiny shops selling rugs, hand painted ceramics, spices, jewellery, gold, silver, scarves, t-shirts and likely the kitchen sink although I missed that booth.
How you can miscount 2000 shops seems rather puzzling until you step inside the gigantic, noisy labyrinth of a shopping center. Shopping the Grand Bazaar is a retail experience we highly recommend but also suggest some ways to make the experience both enjoyable and economical.
1) How not to get lost in the Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul has four main gates (but 22 in total) where shoppers can enter. Take a photo of the entrance you arrive to. I’m not kidding.
You may think you have a good sense of direction until you enter the shopping maze and then five minutes later when every Turkish rug store looks like the one you saw two minutes prior. Having your digital photo you will at least be able to show a kind soul your entrance and ask meekly to be pointed in the right direction.
The stalls are grouped in areas according to products. Watch for color coded maps near one of the 22 gates. Yellow is where you find gold; green codes the rug area; pink for souvenirs; you get the drift. There is even an entire section for belly dancing wear. I took a pass on that one.
2) Arrive early to shop but not too early
The Grand Bazaar sees more than 91 million visitors a year. Travel and Leisure in 2014 named Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar the most visited tourist attraction in the world. By mid day it can feel like a few million have come the same day as you so arriving early is wise.
On the other hand striking a deal the moment a store opens is unlikely. It takes a while for the sellers to have a Turkish tea or coffee and to get settled. They are not to be rushed. Sellers in the shops are not always the owners and as such they have a quota of sales to meet each day. They will be more motivated to bargain in the early part of the day so as to meet their quota. Late afternoon deals may be harder to come by.
3) Never start bargaining with your best price
If you are not comfortable with haggling then shopping in Istanbul will be challenging. This is the way it is done and should you just offer the full price you may be reprimanded. On more than one occasion when I was ready to throw in the bartering towel after a couple of exchanges a shopkeeper would wag his finger at me and with a grin encourage me to keep going.
This is Turkey and buying and selling is a social activity to be enjoyed. Well you may not enjoy it but this is the concept. Expect that you can get 30% to 50% less than the asking price but know to achieve that you will need to do some significant negotiation. Be prepared to walk away. There are many spots where you can re-group with a Turkish coffee or better yet some Turkish Delight.
4) Istanbul shopping involves patience
At no time in our many hours in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar did we encounter an unfriendly shopkeeper. Assertive yes, loud yes but never unfriendly. As you stroll by the lanterns, copper and eye catching cloths of every imaginable color you will hear the shopkeepers calling out in many languages to potential customers “How are you?”
Once engaged they will ask where you are from and it is surprising how often a shopkeeper in Istanbul can have a friend, or cousin or sister in your home city. Be patient, nod and smile. If you really don’t want to buy something and you say no you will not be harassed. Expect some conversation though. This is the Turkish way.
5) Be prepared to drink Turkish tea while shopping at the Grand Bazaar
If you show serious interest in an item, especially something larger such as a rug, Turkish tea will be called for and there will be further socializing and bargaining. It is believed that the tea is served farther back in the shop so that other customers of the Grand Bazaar can not hear the deal you are striking.
If you rush a seller they instruct you to “relax”. Those of us from North America seem to be obsessed with efficiency but here the market experience is meant to include enjoyment of the bargaining process.
How to get to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
Take a tram to Beyazit, Üniversite or Sirkeci. The Grand Bazaar is around 15 minutes walk from the Aya Sofya/Blue Mosque area.
Grand Bazaar Shopping Hours of Operation
Monday to Saturday 9:00 – 19:00. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Special Tip for Savvy Shopping in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
Before our trip to Turkey I learned the numbers 0-100 in Turkish. It took some time as I am no linguist and the Turkish language does not necessarily roll off the tongue, at least in my case. Many shopkeepers fell silent, which is saying a lot, when I began bartering in Turkish. They were delighted with my efforts and I would like to think I got some special deals because of it. Just be sure you know 5 from 50.
Does the Grand Bazaar shopping experience sound like fun to you?
Are you on Pinterest? I made this Pin just for you.
Please confirm that you bought that hat!
Well I would have but the carry on luggage prevented me from doing so. Although I could have just worn it on the plane. 🙂
Oh, I so love the hat! And her expression is priceless!
Natalie, The Educational Tourist
Our shopping experience in Marrakesh was very much like this Sue. I am not a good haggler & quite honestly, found it all exhausting. Our biggest challenge was not knowing what was fair price for the items we were interested in purchasing, unless we were accompanied by our guide. I much prefer having a price tag on things!
Sure hope you purchased that hat! A fashion statement extraordinaire!
I’m usually not comfortable with the haggling either Lynn however because I really prepped for it and had put a lot of hours into studying the numbers i actually looked forward to it. Quite the experience I have to say.
Oh that hat was stunning I will say but was not purchased. There was a whole stall of variations on the theme. 🙂
One day I’ll go!! Great tale of the bazaar!
I definitely recommend it Lindsay. Some people find it completely overwhelming but if you can go with the right attitude the experience is astounding. 🙂
Sounds really fun, especially having these handy pointers. Yes, it’s aggressive, loud, and crammed, and haggling can be uncomfortable; but if you enter knowing what it will be and knowing what you want to buy, it seems to be a festive and unique experience. Love the idea of taking a photo of your entrance. Great post Sue! 😀
Jet I agree completely if you go in knowing what to expect and be willing to embrace the experience it is a fabulous outing! I appreciate your kind feedback very much.
Photo of the entrance – brilliant!! Thank you!!
Natalie, The Educational Tourist
I so dislike haggling. I did it in Mexico and China but it’s not my forte. I’m not much of a shopper as I don’t n.e.e.d. any more ‘stuff’ at this point. Books, yes. Everything else, no. 😀 😀
Sooo, you didn’t buy the hat? Where would you wear it? You’d be the centre of attention at the Calgary Stampede. 😛
I’m afraid I might scare even the horses at the Stampede with that hat. 🙂
Haggling is not my strong suit but in this case I embraced the culture and went with it. The scarf I got at the Bazaar I still wear a great deal and I always smile thinking of the scene from which it came. 🙂
As the name implies…The Educational Tourist, I do a lot of research before heading to a destination as I think it really helps you have an even BETTER experience, so your tip to learn numbers in the language is now on my list! That is absolutely brilliant! What a GREAT idea! Thanks!!!
Oh, and I do SO love a hat….even this crazy one. 😉
Natalie, The Educational Tourist
Happy to share that tip with you! Oh the hat really is something isn’t it?
Hubby worked in Turkey for 3 months and he told me I’d love going to the Bazaar. Sounds like my ‘cup of tea’ 😉
Oh I love the play on words Ingrid. What an experience it would be to stay for 3 months and to really come to know the city.
Wow,looks fun. Thanks for sharing. One day I wish to visit Istanbul 🙂
Thank you! I highly recommend it although Istanbul is very busy and noisy but then that is part of the charm of it all.
I find this post extremely practical and useful!thanks sooo much for spending your time teaching us to deal with Turkish sellers!
You are most welcome. It was great fun recalling our time there. 🙂
So much great advice. I may have to bring you along, though. I don’t have much confidence in my ability to learn all those numbers 🙂 Maybe I’ll have to pick one number and only purchase items that I can haggle to that one. I hope you bought that hat.
Wendy the hat did not accompany me home. Just couldn’t think of too many occasions where it could be worn. As for those Turkish numbers I am afraid they have retreated to the far corners of my brain. However should you want to take me to Turkey I would be delighted to re-learn them. 🙂
It sounds like a nice place to visit, but for me the bargaining part has little appeal. Would love to sample the coffee while someone else does the haggling.
That sounds like a very enjoyable way to enjoy the Grand Bazaar indeed! Oh I loved Turkish coffee. 🙂
I’ve always enjoyed visiting bazaars, but I’m definitely not a born haggler. I leave that to hubby, who always tell me not to sound too enthusiastic, even if I do absolutely love the item in question. 🙂 The hat is………interesting. 😕
I usually get the same type of talk from my husband but in this case I took on the challenge with gusto. I think I should have said that I actually bought the hat and wear it running here in Calgary. 🙂
I bet your hat turns a few heads. 🙂
Well it didn’t leave the Grand Bazaar but even while there it got a few looks. 🙂
22 gates, how confusion! I have minimum patience for bargaining. Great post, Sue! 🙂
Yes the Grand Bazaar can be very confusing and very chaotic I will admit. Thanks so much Amy. 🙂
i’m not very good at bargaining and i certainly don’t have patience for it. though i’m very good at walking away when i don’t agree with the price. 🙂 you look so unsure with the hat Sue; i hope you didn’t buy it 🙂
Luckily common sense prevailed and there was no purchase although imagine the conversation starter it would be if you arrived wearing it to a party. 🙂
Now that’s a hat! What gives passing on the belly dancing gear? Now THAT would have been awesome!
Oh yes Jim I think the hat and a belly dancing costume would have made quite the outfit. Yikes! 🙂
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I had the same experience when I went to Cairo, but I hate haggling, it is too tiring and in the end I bought nothing ( which is extraordinary for me) . 😉
You bought nothing Stefy? Oh my goodness. 🙂
I agree it takes a lot of work. I came home with some lovely souvenirs and a scarf I wear still. It makes me smile every time I put it on.
Oh what a laugh….glad you didn’t get that hat – did nothing for your complexion (or was that the tea?) I had fun haggling for a hat, which I did get (known as my Leonard Cohen hat!) must get back to Turkey 😀
Agreed the hat didn’t do a thing for me Sue. Glad to hear you had fun haggling for yours. Yes we loved Turkey too!
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Oh the hat should have been purchased… at a party… IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT! Very interesting about being told to relax… I am a hurried shopper but I do love to bargain and am quite good at it. Great post as usual! 🙂
Nancy if you love to bargain then off with you to Istanbul. You may never actually leave the Grand Bazaar. 🙂
I have no doubt the hat would have made quite the souvenir and definitely livened up the conversation at a party. Perhaps I shall have to return.
Oh Sue – that hat ! What a wonderful expression Dave managed to extract from its wearer. 😀
This is so interesting, even to someone who never went there and never will – possibly BECAUSE of those facts !
Just a lovely post.
Like the rest of ’em !
M-R your comment is like getting a big hug. 🙂 Isn’t that hat something?! Almost as wild as my look.
I will say, and I hope the post reflects, that the Grand Bazaar is something one will find truly overwhelming or truly extraordinary or possibly both.
Thanks so much for your ongoing encouragement and support M-R. It means a lot to me.
You sure have a way wit woids …
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Thank you. 🙂
Oh gosh. That sounds like very stressful fun. Lol. I’m so not good at haggling. I just don’t do well but it seems like the store keepers are generous and encouraging. What an amazing experience.
It truly was quite the experience. It wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of Turkish tea but I loved my Turkish vocabulary homework paying off. 🙂
Hmm, this all seems a little scary for an introvert! I love shopping but I’d rather they just tell me the price and I pay that, thank you. I have a friend in London who regularly haggles prices in regular high street shops here – he’s pretty wealthy so doesn’t need to save the money but he just gets a kick out of doing it, even in the big chain stores where I would never imagine you could do it, and he often succeeds. I wouldn’t dream of trying that!
It sounds like your friend should head straight to Istanbul! I can not imagine trying this in a store here but there it seems to offend if you don’t. That helps one put it in perspective. 🙂
Couldn’t decide whether you were expecting that hat to ambush you while on your head or astonished that anyone would dare to take a photo of you in that hat. 🙂 The bazaar sounds frenetic and rather overwhelming to shop at unless one loves haggling. Do locals shop there as well or do they prefer someplace quieter?
The locals are there as well as they have been for centuries. It is part of what makes it such an extraordinary place. As far as finding a quieter spot in Istanbul I did not see any. 🙂
I tend to be a bit of a clown, shocking I know, so the look is a bit to match my outfit. Quite lovely wouldn’t you say?
Absolutely. Hoping it was one of the items you successfully haggled for….
Your post did an incredible job of describing my wife’s nirvana and my personal hell:) I can only imagine how many years I would be stuck in there until all shops were visited and trust me…that would be her mission! 🙂 Great job!!
Kirt I am laughing out loud at your comment. You might have to move on from Turkish tea and coffee to Turkish raki, the Turks answer to the Greek’s ouzo. Well is she were to visit every stall I would suggest an extended stay in Istanbul. Did I mention the spice market is close by? 🙂
LOL….bring on the raki:)
Dave would join you and we could call for photos to be taken now and again. 🙂
I’m there!!!
Excellent. We’re all set then. 🙂
I can’t wait to experience Turkey and it’s many bazaars. I’ll be in Istanbul in less than two weeks with my three daughters, so you can imagine some serious shopping will take place. We’re leaving Gord behind and that’s probably a good thing:) You’re pointers will come in handy. -Ginette
Ginette I am delighted with the timing! I hope the tips come in handy and most of all have a fabulous adventure. We loved Turkey. 🙂
My first big trip without my travel partner and a first with the three girls — It will be an adventure for sure. Thanks Sue!
It sounds amazing! Enjoy.
OMG – the thought of negotiating pricing strikes terror in my heart. Please, no, don’t make me do it!!!
The expression on your face is priceless! 🙂
an attractive shot don’t you think? 🙂 I’ll do the haggling if you fetch me some Turkish delight.
yum – turkish delight. Consider it done 🙂
Excellent. I love it when a plan comes together. 🙂
Photographing the gate you came in. Oh, I wish I’d thought of that when we were in the Fes medina. Excellent tip.
I only recall buying Turkish Delight in the Grand Bazaar. I do distinctly remember at least one in our group purchasing a rug. I was only a few weeks into 10 months away so lugging a Turkish carpet with me was not practical.
I do love that hat. And your face. 😀
Yes not quite so practical to buy a rug. However we bought two rugs earlier in the trip and had them sent home. They arrived in Canada before we did. I could hardly believe it.
happy to share the photograph the door tip. Frankly we do it in the airport parking lot so when we return we can have some idea of where to start looking. 🙂
Ok, where do I sign up? I’m ready for a trip to the Grand Bazaar! Turkey is my dream destination and your description of the bazaar makes me want to hop a flight…Oh, and the bellydancing gear? That sounds right up my alley!
I’m not used to negotiating prices but I tried to do so in Italy and was pretty good at it so I think I’d do alright…
Your advice about taking a photo of the entrance way is a good one…it sounds like a busy place and not where you’d like to get lost!
Thanks always for keeping me dreaming!
*Lia
Lia thank you for this thoughtful comment. turkey is a trip with that we always think of so fondly. there was so much new to us but we fell in love with the people, the culture , the scenery and even the chaos of Istanbul.
If you like haggling then it sounds like this is the spot for you. Happy to inspire the dreams and to provide tips not to get lost in them. 🙂
Very well-said! You inspire our dreams as well as tips how not to get lost in them!
Cheers and happy Tuesday !
You are so very kind Lia. Happy day to you as well.
What a wonderful experience, dear Sue… The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is stunning and huge!!! 😛
Great to read about it!. Thanks for sharing and all the best to you!. Happy week. Aquileana :star:
Thank you Aquileana. It is an astounding place to visit. Wishing you a wonderful week too!
We shopped in a bazaar in Cairo and it was very similar. It was an experience I will always remember and embrace
Thanks so much for sharing that. so many fabulous spots in this world to explore and experience. 🙂
Fantastic travel stories, love their color, very colorful in the market ! Thanks for share Sue.
Thank you so much and a pleasure to write this post. It is a mesmerizing place the Grand Bazaar.
The hat is definitely you Sue 🙂
Oh yes and so practical wouldn’t you agree? 🙂
BTW you are featured on Travel Tales Facebook page and Twitter today for your win in the quiz. 🙂
Oh that’s so cool!!! Thanks Sue 🙂
Thank you Annie. Yes the Grand Bazaar experience is no less than astounding.
Western culture is used to the “silent” haggle. Or maybe the “passive-aggressive” haggle. In other words, we look at the price tag and walk away and don’t buy until it goes on “sale” or we go look for it somewhere else at a better price. Haggling directly with the shop owner seems rude to us, but if we think of it in the context of “forcing a store owner to run a sale before we buy” then I think it would be easier to do. That’s my theory anyway. Maybe someday I will be able to test it. Lol. Great story Sue- I think I would love the bazaar but would definitely lose my car in the parking lot.
Sue what a great perspective on our North American sales system. Yes now that you word it this way I don’t think there was one sales tag or poster in the whole Grand Bazaar!
Now if you think the Bazaar might be overwhelming driving in Istanbul is considered the worst place to drive in the world.
That won’t be a problem because I will lose my car in the bazaar parking lot- lol
Just as well I think. 🙂
Your first tip sounds like a life saver! I would never have thought of that. As for that hat – you don’t look convinced that it is the one for you. Did you buy it?
No. Just saw your response to Andrew before I hit post. Not sure it was your colour anyway.
No hat for me Carl. It wouldn’t have done so well in the carry on and perhaps not the most flattering thing to top this noggin.
As far as the phone tip I seem to be taking photos of more and more things these days, my car’s location in assorted parking lots seems a popular thing. Now as long as I don’t lose my phone. 🙂
Absolutely perfect guide and tips! I know this place very well and I like the atmosphere 🙂 Be. Kamila
Kamila thank you for that feedback especially since you are so familiar with the Grand Bazaar. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Lovely post that stirred fond memories Sue! Brilliant idea to learn numbers in the local language before you go! 🙂
Than you so much. the numbers really took a long time to learn I must say but certainly paid off. 🙂
I remember a much smaller market (but big enough!) in Fethiye, where I successfully avoided haggling for the longest time…. but then came home with a tiny silk Turkish carpet. Useless really, but it’s been hung in a frame on our wall for 25 years. A reminder of the honeymoon 🙂
What a fabulous souvenir to have from your honeymoon! Although not from the Grand Bazaar, we came home with two rather large Turkish rugs. 🙂
That hat is so you Sue! 🙂
LuAnn it goes nicely with my collection of baseball hats. 🙂 Good to have a laugh whether it be in Istanbul or Calgary.
well I read above that you bought a scarf and not the hat – which seems like a good choice. 🙂 – and how cool that the scarf reminds you this special trip = those are the best gifts.
anyhow, wonderful pictures and post – and I usually think of trukish coffee – not tea – so I enjoyed learning about this:
“Turkish tea will be called for and there will be further socializing and bargaining”
Y it is amazing! You will see gentlemen with silver trays bustling to stalls delivering tea. It seems like everyone knows everyone else and the tea arrives very quickly. Yes the scarf makes me smile every time it is around my neck. Agreed these are special things. 🙂
that sounds like such an experience – and of course i love the artsy tea cups – the two sizes are so interesting – and now if I could just hear you count…. lol
I would definitely need a refresher course for that! 🙂
🙂
Amazing hate…Enjoyed and appreciated the information on the bazaar. I look forward to the day I can see it for myself.
Charlie I am assuming that auto correct did something to your second word. 🙂
Delighted you enjoyed the post and this definitely ranks right up there in most memorable travel experiences.
Such a timely article. I am off to Istanbul on Sunday and will take your recommendations to heart.
That is fantastic! I hope a few things come in handy. Be sure to be prepared to walk away in the bargaining if you can’t get the price down at least 30%. Have a fabulous trip!
Oh! This is a lovely place, so many colorful things, it must have been wonderful time there…yes the HAT is superb.
It was such a memorable day Nihar. The hat is ‘special’ for sure. 🙂 Thank you!
Sue, keep sharing these wonderful posts and keep us cherishing with these beautiful thoughts and pictures that you bring for us.
Happy Travelling and Safe Travelling!!!
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Nihar your encouragement means a great deal to me! Thank you so very much. All the best to you too. 🙂
My pleasure…
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Nice hat! And you gave the belly-dancing attire a miss? I know some belly-dancers who’d sigh with envy at the chance.
But I don’t think the bazaar would really suit me – I might enjoy it for a short time, but then I’d need to go sit on a mountaintop somewhere. 😉
Yes I should have brought you an outfit! Well I didn’t know you then. 🙂 Yes Istanbul in general is chaotic, beautiful, historical…one has to be prepared for it all.
Great tips! This article reminded me of the trip to Morocco. The barging bit, I had troubles with. I don’t really like to argue the price of something, but when you look like a tourist, is hard to not do so, as the prices are ridiculously high set, on the spot 🙂 You should pay around 1/4 of the asking price, but when you have to do this a few times, it gets a bit tiring. Still, it’s fun to experience other cultures. Thank you for the virtual trip! Have a lovely day!
Lucy you are the second person to tell me of the similarity to Morocco. I would very much like to visit there one day too. I agree haggling can be a draining experience when one is not used to it. Wishing you a lovely day and thanks so much for your visit which I appreciate a great deal.
So what did you get, Sue? 😀
Jean I bought a lovely colourful scarf that I wear all the time. It brings a smile to my face at the memory of the day in the Grand Bazaar.
I hope you are recovering steadily and soon will be back to cycling.
Wow, what an incredible experience this must have been Sue. It sure would top those local country flea markets we have here in Ontario. I admire you so much for learning some of the local language, and for bartering in Turkish. It shows so much respect for the people there.
Thank you for sharing such an informative post. There is so much practical advice here, in that if one of your readers were to go there, they would be far better prepared! 🙂
~Carl~
Carl how generous of you to leave me this lovely comment to wake up to this morning. Thank you so kindly.
I agree that somewhere like the Grand Bazaar and others in the region that readers have spoken of in the comments, is so different from what we might be used to. A wonderful experience of which I will remember always.
I bought a pair of “Ray Ban” sunglasses there. He started at $30, and I offered $20 and he jumped on it. I should have went lower 🙁 But for authentic Ray Ban sunglasses, that was of course a steal.
The market is such a colorful assault on the senses, it is great to visit even if not buying anything.
Jeff you are so right that just wandering the many streets is amazing in itself. I too could have haggled harder but I think we did pretty well considering our customs of origin. 🙂
Sounds like an experience we’d love to have one day – can’t believe you learned the Turkish numbers! I hope you treated yourself to that hat – perfect on you😉
I traded in the hat for a beautiful scarf which I wear a great deal. It really makes me smile whenever I put it on remembering the day.
Learner Turkish is no small feat. It took me months just to master the very basic greetings and numbers. It proved to be great fun in the end.
Bargaining is my weakness and for sure I will take your advice to learn Turkish number 0 to 100 🙂
I’m not great at the bargaining myself so the language gave me a bit of extra confidence. 🙂
Hi Sue, Great post! Love the hat picture. I’m in the Bodrum peninsula. If you’re headed this way, I’d love to meet a fellow traveller/blogger. Sarah (finewomanarts at gmail.com)
Sarah thank you so much. Our trip to Turkey was several years ago unfortunately. It would be such great fun to meet!
Ah well! Perhaps we will overlap in the future in some other distant land. Where are you off to next?
This week to NYC and in June to Peru and Galapagos. How about you?
Wow! That sounds excellent. I am ready to home for awhile after Turkey. I won’t fit into any of my clothes anymore so I’ll need to get a new wardrobe. (:
I have Turkey on my bucket list – I have enjoyed the markets in Cambodia, Laos and more recently Myanmar. I’m not much of a shopper though so I’m usually “just looking” 🙂
I hated the markets in Egypt when we went, I was groped and harrassed – and I was wearing long pants and long sleeves. I was not impressed… not sure if its changed in the last 20 years but perhaps now I’m 40, I might not be so appealing… 😉
Well aging may have some benefits! That’s terrible that you were treated that way. The vendors in Turkey are very loud, the se with trying to get you into restaurants but we were never touched. Turkey will always be one of our top picks. We loved the uniqueness of it.
Thank you for sharing your shopping experiences!
Sue, despite getting lost in the bazaar (I suppose that’s half the fun!) my parents and I had a memorable time there about a decade ago. I’ll never forget how my father surprised my mother and me with two pieces that he purchased there: quotations in Arabic painted on a delicate leaf, and then framed. I recall that this talented artist also did intricate painting on ostrich eggs. How much time did you spend in Istanbul?
Tricia thank you for sharing your memories of the Grand Bazaar. I love the image of your Dad with his purchases.
We did a cycling trip from Selcuk to Antalya and at the end we flew to Istanbul for four days. It was quite the shock after. Y long rural Turkish roads with the goats, roosters and donkeys.
I just sighted this gem of a post, Sue, as the excitement you experienced shopping in grand bazaar is very palpable. Serving tea / coffee to customers is a widely practised custom in this part of the world. I have not been to Turkey as yet; but I have worked for a couple of years in Egypt, based out of Alexandria. Egypt, as you may surely be aware, is a country flooded by tourists almost round the year (I am not aware of situation now with all the political unrest there). Be it in shops, or even at the hairdressing saloons, serving tea / coffee is part of a welcoming protocol. Your tips will come in handy when I finally make it to Turkey…best wishes… Raj.
Raj thank you not only for the positive feedback but for sharing your experience. I had not realized this was a common custom in other countries as well. All the best to you.
would love to go to Istanbul but seems rather ‘off limits’! A great article and I felt much the same in Marrakesch
I understand the experience would be very similar. Western Turkey was fine when we were there, save for the occasional demonstration. I definitely hear where you are coming from.
The second time I went to Istanbul (August 2014), I learned that it is good to go early as you’re more likely to be a person’s first customer. Many shopkeepers attach good luck to the first customer of the day and are likely to be quite flexible in the bargaining process. Once a deal is struck, there is even a little ritual with the money exchanged that they do. Pretty fun/funny to be a part of it!
Now that is something I didn’t know! Thanks so much for sharing that Kendra!
I’m heading to Turkey next week and have 5 days in Istanbul – thanks for the tips – very excited! Your blog came up in a Google search – am loving it! Keep up the great work!
Have a fabulous trip! Istanbul can be chaotic but our time in Turkey will always be a treasure. Thank you for your kind words!
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