The Spice Bazaar, also called Mısır Çarşısı, is a covered market in Istanbul’s Eminönü district, behind the New Mosque. You can browse stalls selling spices, tea and local delicacies, then step out into a square shared with the mosque and the Flower Market. Aprilis Gold is an Istanbul hotel in the historic peninsula.
- Location: Eminönü, beside the Flower Market and behind the New Mosque.
- Typical hours: 08:00–19:30, seven days a week, with holiday closures.
- Quieter time: Morning; weekend afternoons are typically busier.
- Market basics: Covered shopping arcade with food stalls; haggling is customary.
Where is the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü?
The Spice Bazaar is in Eminönü Square, behind the New Mosque and beside the Flower Market. The full name, Mısır Çarşısı, refers to the same market, so you may see either name used around the area.
Built in the 17th century as part of the New Mosque complex, the bazaar was first called Yeni Çarşı or Valide Çarşısı. It was said to have been funded with taxes collected from Egypt, and took its present name after the 18th century. The surrounding square was reshaped by removals and demolitions between 1938 and 1949.
Eminönü is a commercial district, and the square can be crowded during the day.
When is the Spice Bazaar open, and when should you go?
The Spice Bazaar is generally open from 08:00 to 19:30 every day, and mornings are the quieter time to browse.
It closes on 29 October and during religious holidays. Saturdays and Sundays are typically busiest from 12:00 to 18:00, so choose a morning visit if you prefer a calmer pace. Hours and closures can change; check the official site before you go, using the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality as the source.
What can you buy at the Spice Bazaar?
The bazaar’s covered stalls sell herbs, spices, spice blends, tea, dried fruit, dried meats and other delicacies. Take a first pass through the arcade to see what’s on offer, then pause at stalls that catch your eye and compare the goods before buying.
Haggling is a local tradition that vendors expect. Beyond the bazaar itself, Eminönü’s wider market area has sellers of dried fruit and nuts, olives, honey and dairy products, along with fishmongers, butchers, coffee roasters and Turkish sweet shops. For a different market outing, the Grand Bazaar opening-hours and visit guide covers another option.
What else can you see around Eminönü?
The New Mosque and Flower Market share the busy square with the Spice Bazaar, making them natural nearby stops. Eminönü is also a transport hub: its ferry piers serve Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Bosphorus lines, and sightseeing Bosphorus boats depart from the area. A major bus terminal connects the square with many neighborhoods.
The square is liveliest during the day and much quieter at night. If your plans include the wider historic peninsula, a walking route through Sultanahmet offers another way to organize nearby sights.
FAQs
What is the Spice Bazaar also called?
Its other name is Mısır Çarşısı. It was also known historically as Yeni Çarşı or Valide Çarşısı.
Is bargaining expected at the Spice Bazaar?
Yes. Haggling is described as a tradition at the market, and vendors expect it.
What is sold in the market?
Stalls offer spices, tea, dried fruit, dried meats and other delicacies. The surrounding Eminönü market area has a broader mix of food sellers and shops.