Istanbul
Shopping Istanbul’s markets & bazaars
Markets & Local Finds • 3 hours
5.0
(30)
Shopping Istanbul’s markets & bazaars
Yeşilköy, Kapali Çarşi and perhaps a market whose name you can pronounce first time.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Lose yourself (figuratively, not literally we hope) with 3-hours in Istanbul’s best shopping districts, with your host who will show you the ropes
- Get what you want from this private and personalized experience - we suggest browsing the Grand Bazaar then a smaller, more local market
- Get tips and tricks for the best shops to grab a bargain, and how to haggle like a local!
- Your experience, your pace! Stall hop around a few neighborhoods or emporiums which suits your tastes and preferences or find one place to try get it all
- Try some local street food along the way and visit a food market
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
A private and personalized experience
3 hours with your host
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
Authentic local knowledge and insights
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s not included
Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
Your hotel/apartment or any other central locationCancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat to bring
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
- Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.
How your day could unfold
A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you mostWhat you’ll do
Imagine trying to visit 5000 shops in three hours? Game on. You’ll join one of our local Istanbul hosts who will help you get to grips with the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarşi) and its thousands of tiny shops and stalls.
Whether you’re in the market for silks, traditional hats, a rug or two, a Turkish tea set or you really do just want to soak it all up and lose yourself in these lanes, your host will make it happen - and help you negotiate a bargain or two.
Then head to Yeşilköy, which means ‘green village’, and is unsurprisingly a more tranquil bazaar. You can always choose to go for an altogether more low-key experience and let your host take you to an artistic neighborhood where the locals do their haggling.
There are all sorts of Turkish delights to be bargained over - pun intended, as of course, you can pick up some Turkish Delight along the way too. Or take things up a notch and ask your host to take you to a street food market where you can try flaky borek pastries or sesame encrusted fish sandwiches. Shopping is hungry work after all.
1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?
Real Stories, Real Connections
See our hosts and guests creating memories
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Stacey
Jun 2025
Our guide, Ipek, was knowledgeable and flexible. She was open to giving us an off-the-beaten-path sort of tour. It was magical and she was amazing.
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Stacey
Jun 2025
My daughter is an archaeologist and I am an art historian. We told Ipek that we wanted a more historical and local tour and she did exactly what we needed. She was knowledgeable and was also ready to alter our tour if we wanted to see something unexpected. She was friendly, helpful, was willing to answer cultural and religious questions openly and kindly. I said that I wanted to possibly purchase a rug and she took me to a place that was knowledgeable and trustworthy. I cannot express how perfect our tour was. She is a gem!
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Sandra
Jun 2025
Emir manages to combine fun with educational experience. His love of people made us so comfortable while learning cuisine, history and culture.
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Sandra
Jun 2025
This tour was both educational and fun. My daughter and I got so wrapped up in the bazaar and market experience we rlforgot reality. Emir is a talented story-weaver. It becomes so lifelike, and the culture so mezmeeing, the stories spring to life and we forgot it was 2025. .. Truly a masree
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Tim
Jun 2025
This was the perfect blend of history and shopping. Our guide took us to just the right places in and around the grand bazaar and spice market. A wonderful experience.
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Tim
Jun 2025
The tour was so perfect for our goals.
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