Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is arguably the most famous and well-known market / mall in the world. Clothes, souvenirs, home necessities, carpets, furniture, jewellery, and even gold or silver, you can find it all here. Plus a thousand other items that you don’t realize you need, until you see them. All of it can be found here. Life in Istanbul has revolved around the Grand Bazaar since the 15th century, and is still very prevalent today.

With 60 streets and thousands of shops, the Grand Bazaar is overwhelming to first-timers. A whopping 300,000 to 400,000 people visit the bazaar every single day, and foreigners are prime targets of sellers here. Be prepared for chaos and pushy salesmen, but do not be afraid to politely say no thanks or “I already have one” as you walk away. Do not get angry.

Streets are organized by products. If there is something specific you are searching for, consult a map online, or even download one to your smart phone before you go.

Expert Advice: Haggle, haggle, haggle! Start at 50% of whatever the vendor is offering and go from there. You can always come back later if you do not find a better deal elsewhere in the bazaar.