Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
4.5
About
Spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds are among the many treasures to be found at this bazaar also known as the Spice Market.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighbourhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,001 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,057 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,072 reviews
Excellent
1,969
Very good
1,476
Average
491
Poor
91
Terrible
48
LexiV
Cleveland, OH845 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This market is directly across from Yeni Cami Mosque, so it's easy to see both. The interior of the market is beautiful but it's also crowded and overpriced. You are likely to be offered a free piece of Turkish delight or some other treat before a hard sell. No one was aggressive or anything; it's just a very frenetic and chaotic environment. The stalls on the outside of the market were positively mobbed on the Saturday that I visited. It was difficult to even move. I would recommend visiting, but I'm not sure that I would go back on a weekend.
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GRTraveller
Heraklion, Greece549 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Spice Market or Misir Carsisi or Egyptian Bazaar is an iconic market in eminonu in Fatih district in Istanbul. Is quite small and have plenty of spices, traditional sausages but the problem again is that people really trying to rip you off.
Better find another store around to buy these things half price.
It worths a visit because is near to sultanahmet square so you go see what’s going on there.
But don’t spend much time there especially If you have 3 days in Istanbul better don’t go.
Better find another store around to buy these things half price.
It worths a visit because is near to sultanahmet square so you go see what’s going on there.
But don’t spend much time there especially If you have 3 days in Istanbul better don’t go.
Written 24 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Annette B
London, England, United Kingdom135 contributions
Feb 2023
Put this on your to see list. It is great. The colours and smells are such a delight, and honestly it is fabulous.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yasmin
Oakland, CA21 contributions
Jan 2023
Wonderful spice market and incredibly clean. Lots of options for baklava and Turkish delights and saffron.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John M
New York City, NY605 contributions
Jan 2023
Go for the experience. The Egyptian bazaar is a great photo op, and one of the spectacular Istanbul sights. That being said, the experience itself is what you would expect - pushy sellers all hawking their items. Would not recommend to buy here but elsewhere, as there is an up mark. Walk through as part of your experience through the Grand Bazaar.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bonnie K
12 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
I made a purchase with a contactless credit card on a wireless terminal in one of the stalls (Citika). Within 10 minutes a charge of more than $500 to another vendor was charged to my account. I did not make the second purchase. My card never left my wallet. The credit card company refused to believe that this was fraud.
Written 30 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mustafaahmadriyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia11 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
The spice bazaar is a good place to buy your sweet souvenirs and spices if you want. Reasonably priced , you may need your bargaining skills . Better to visit those shops which have prices marked already , these are nearer to actual pricing. Though it does not have many options for decorative items or souvenirs.
Also, just behind the Spice bazaar there are lanes selling artificial jewellery at very economical prices and if you go deeper into those lanes and roam around you will find many shops related to home decor and fabrics at good prices. Look for the shops that say Indirim on the displays, they have a sale ongoing.
Try to walk in these lanes and reach the Grand bazaar , you can take help of Google maps and the route will take you across many good shops and items.
Also, just behind the Spice bazaar there are lanes selling artificial jewellery at very economical prices and if you go deeper into those lanes and roam around you will find many shops related to home decor and fabrics at good prices. Look for the shops that say Indirim on the displays, they have a sale ongoing.
Try to walk in these lanes and reach the Grand bazaar , you can take help of Google maps and the route will take you across many good shops and items.
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sana M
Dubai, United Arab Emirates3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Sales people are extremely rude and racist. Things are much cheaper right outside the market. When I said I didn’t want to buy the coasters on the price they quoted. The salesman told me and my aged mom “if you don’t want to buy, don’t waste our time, thank you, don’t come again” this is not my first experience with such a response, many are like that. and there’s nothing mean that I did to hear that.
They are not just rude, the way they r speaking to a lost customer is horrible. This was my second and last visit to Istanbul.
They are not just rude, the way they r speaking to a lost customer is horrible. This was my second and last visit to Istanbul.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carmen Santiago
Mountain View, CA117 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
You will feel geltle pressure, but they will usually stop at the first no. Go with a little space in your tummy, you are going to get a lot of free samples of teas and every type of sweet, and they are well worth it. It is a great place to buy spices (doh!), turkish delight, saffron, and surprises like menthol. Almost all merchants will let you try a sample, a good idea to try first (rather than after you get back home and yuk). There is also a lot of bling around, in case you want a side of gold with your baklava!
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shara S
London, UK27 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
I absolutely love shopping in this bazar, it’s historical and has many shops to shop at ranging from beads to clothes, something for everyone and very cheap.
It’s definitely worth visiting even if you don’t buy anything
It’s definitely worth visiting even if you don’t buy anything
Written 1 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vitalik
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine8 contributions
Добрый день, открыт ли сейчас Египетский рынок?
what are the timings of the grand bazaar and spice bazaar? and on which days re they closed?
Pinar D
Istanbul, Türkiye161 contributions
Hi,
Every day, it is open for touristic reasons.
Travel01560727683
Nicosia, Cyprus
Are they open on Sundays?
Panoskaa
81 contributions
Yes it’s open...!!!
cavamagie11
3 contributions
Ciao sapete se le spezie si trovano anche in aereoporti? Che vado per lavoro ma nn sono sicuro di riuscire a passare al mercato delle spezie
Chimborazo11
Milan, Italy1,760 contributions
Ciao,
sì le spezie le trovi ovunque. Chiaramente in aeroporto le trovi già confezionate e a costi molto maggiori.
Ciao
rogovskaya1976
Yekaterinburg, Russia11 contributions
здравствуйте всем! Скажите, есть ли на Египетском базаре туалеты?
Sarverdin
Khabarovsk, Russia97 contributions
Думаю,что есть. Спросите любого торговца и он Вам укажет ,куда идти. Возможна небольшая оплата.
SIGACIK
Fecamp, France1,544 contributions
is exterior renovation finished in October 2017 ?
thanks
Jorge Duce
Posadas, Argentina1,072 contributions
Estuve en Marzo 2017 no se como estara en Octubre 2017
SIGACIK
Fecamp, France1,544 contributions
Do you know when the spice market renovation will be finished ?
vicmanx3
Machala, Ecuador86 contributions
Saludos. Recuerda el número del local y los costos de los productos. Gracias
Alessandra R
Natal, RN159 contributions
não há um telefone. você pode encontrar perto do porto da barca.
há pachiminas de seda pura, bordadas à mão por em média, 250 liras turcas.
Daniela B
Rome, Italy20 contributions
ciao sto cercando di sapere se esiste ancora nel mercato il box 22 Melissa che vende spezie, se si potreste aiutarmi a trovare i contatti ? quelli che ho non sono più attivi ! grazie !!
vinz1988
Scandicci, Italy1,349 contributions
Ciao,
mi dispiace ma neanche io lo conosco :(
Mauicruiser
Kihei, HI84 contributions
The directions should read 10 shops to the RIGHT of the toy stores. Tried to delete and redo this but TripAdvisor posted.
NChopra55
Chandigarh, India1,494 contributions
Drop the review and write a fresh review
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) (Istanbul) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
- We recommend booking Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 266 Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Misir Carsisi (Spice Market):
- Taste of Two Continents Food Tour (From HK$981.21)
- Full Day Cruise Tour in Bosphorus and Two Continents (From HK$690.06)
- Istanbul Sightseeing Walking Tour (From HK$258.80)
- Istanbul Old City: Hagia Sophia - Süleymaniye Mosque - Grand Bazaar (From HK$232.90)
- Istanbul Evening Sightseeing and Food Tasting Tour (From HK$757.65)
- Hotels near Misir Carsisi (Spice Market):
- (0.11 km) Mest Hotel
- (0.20 km) Orientbank Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection
- (0.17 km) Cronton Design Hotel
- (0.35 km) Demiray Hotel&Spa
- (0.17 km) Sirin Han Hotel Istanbul
- Restaurants near Misir Carsisi (Spice Market):
- (0.04 km) Gurmania
- (0.04 km) İhsan Kurukahvecioğlu Halefleri
- (0.04 km) Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
- (0.05 km) Hilal Kofte Restaurant
- (0.06 km) tatlici Safa
- Attractions near Misir Carsisi (Spice Market):
- (0.02 km) Hazerbaba
- (0.03 km) Culinary Backstreets -Tours
- (0.04 km) Kral Elmas Kuruyemis
- (0.05 km) Alibaba Doğaltaş
- (0.05 km) Yeni Cami Meydani