The Egyptian Bazaar, known locally as Mısır Çarşısı or the Spice Bazaar, was built between 1597 and 1664 as part of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) complex, commissioned by Sultan Hatice Turhan, mother of Sultan Mehmet IV. Its name comes from the taxes collected in Cairo that helped fund its construction, and the L-shaped covered market remains the heart of Istanbul’s spice trade.
Inside, stalls overflow with spices, Turkish delight, dried fruits and nuts, caviar, and textiles, offering a sensory introduction to Ottoman-era commerce that’s still very much alive today. The bazaar sits directly across from the New Mosque at Eminönü, making it easy to pair with a walk along the Golden Horn or a visit to the nearby Grand Bazaar.
Open daily from 8 AM to 7:30 PM, the bazaar is best visited on a weekday morning between 9 and 11 AM, before the crowds build; plan on one to two hours to browse the stalls and haggle over a few souvenirs.
