The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey
We all know I am crazy about markets, and in Istanbul I made sure to visit the Grand Bazaar (pictures coming soon!) and the Spice Bazaar. I am starting with the Spice market because I have less pictures of it compared to the Grand Bazaar =)
I came here after getting lost in the market streets just outside the Grand Bazaar. I really had no idea where I was going, and I think that’s what makes it exciting in the first place. It’s like a puzzle game to me, a thrilling journey, which I knew I will be able to solve in just a matter of time.
Nevertheless, it was a bit of a shock emerging out of the well organised Grand Bazaar and being thrown outside into a chaotic maze of shops and street vendor clutter selling stuff literally all over the place and masses moving in seemingly organised fashion through tiny and narrow streets, like animals on a serious mission or pilgrimage. I have never seen such super busy market streets like this in Istanbul? There was a bit of a lawlessness edge as well to the whole situation. It is like an orderly madness of some sort. Quite remarkable actually.
Now I had a map with me but I couldn’t figure out where the heck I was because the streets were so narrow and there were very few directional signage available, mostly in Turkish though. All I knew is that if I go north towards Eminonu, I will hit the Spice Bazaar.
My instinct told me to just follow the crowd, and I did. After half an hour of mazing through the horde of market shoppers and street market madness, the busyness thinned down and I realised I was walking again on normal streets with street signs. A few metres further ahead I could see the Spice Bazaar. I told you I will get out of this puzzle challenge =)
In the Spice Bazaar I spent my time going around the market, snapping pictures of the colourful shops of course, enjoying the exotic aromas around me of saffron, cinnamon, cumin and just taking in the whole exotic atmosphere of the place. When I am in a place like this, I like to take it a bit slow and really experience the whole thing. Savour every minute of it.
I have to say that there are a lot of vendors in the Spice Bazaar selling Turkish Delights. I favour spicy, salty and sour foods so the sweet stuff didn’t tempt me, not for a single bit. I also found a wide variety of herbal and alternative medicine sold here.
The Spice Bazaar or Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Market) has been in business since 1663 and is located in Eminonu beside the Yeni Cami Mosque (New Mosque) just across the Galata Bridge. It is called the Egyptian Market because the spices sold here originally came from India and South East Asia which travelled via Egypt on the Silk Route. Istanbul was then the last stop along this legendary trading route.
Visit the official website to learn more: Spice Bazaar | Misir Çarşısı
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih, Istanbul (Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
I came here after getting lost in the market streets just outside the Grand Bazaar. I really had no idea where I was going, and I think that’s what makes it exciting in the first place. It’s like a puzzle game to me, a thrilling journey, which I knew I will be able to solve in just a matter of time.
All kinds of exotic Turkish and Middle Eastern spices.
Nevertheless, it was a bit of a shock emerging out of the well organised Grand Bazaar and being thrown outside into a chaotic maze of shops and street vendor clutter selling stuff literally all over the place and masses moving in seemingly organised fashion through tiny and narrow streets, like animals on a serious mission or pilgrimage. I have never seen such super busy market streets like this in Istanbul? There was a bit of a lawlessness edge as well to the whole situation. It is like an orderly madness of some sort. Quite remarkable actually.
Now I had a map with me but I couldn’t figure out where the heck I was because the streets were so narrow and there were very few directional signage available, mostly in Turkish though. All I knew is that if I go north towards Eminonu, I will hit the Spice Bazaar.
My instinct told me to just follow the crowd, and I did. After half an hour of mazing through the horde of market shoppers and street market madness, the busyness thinned down and I realised I was walking again on normal streets with street signs. A few metres further ahead I could see the Spice Bazaar. I told you I will get out of this puzzle challenge =)
This is the super busy street market outside the Grand Bazaar.
In the Spice Bazaar I spent my time going around the market, snapping pictures of the colourful shops of course, enjoying the exotic aromas around me of saffron, cinnamon, cumin and just taking in the whole exotic atmosphere of the place. When I am in a place like this, I like to take it a bit slow and really experience the whole thing. Savour every minute of it.
I have to say that there are a lot of vendors in the Spice Bazaar selling Turkish Delights. I favour spicy, salty and sour foods so the sweet stuff didn’t tempt me, not for a single bit. I also found a wide variety of herbal and alternative medicine sold here.
The Spice Bazaar or Misir Carsisi (Egyptian Market) has been in business since 1663 and is located in Eminonu beside the Yeni Cami Mosque (New Mosque) just across the Galata Bridge. It is called the Egyptian Market because the spices sold here originally came from India and South East Asia which travelled via Egypt on the Silk Route. Istanbul was then the last stop along this legendary trading route.
Visit the official website to learn more: Spice Bazaar | Misir Çarşısı
Natural sponges, loofahs and all things needed for a nice and lovely Turkish hammam.
A typical shop in the Spice Bazaar selling all sorts of dried herbs, spices, dried fruits and Turkish delights.
These are different types of nuts.
Little balls of sweet stuff coated with pistacchio and walnuts.
Dried fruits: mangoes, shaved coconut, dates, plums, kiwis, peaches, oranges and more.
A shopkeeper and a curious customer/tourist =)
Dried Jasmin flower in balls, ready for tea serving.
I love this Cecil Peynir white cheese. I tasted this at the hotel I stayed at during breakfast. I even asked the owner of the boutique hotel the name of this shredded white cheese.
This is an everyday scene in the Spice market.
This is some kind of white cheese I believe.
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih, Istanbul (Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
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