Covered Bazaar in history
Covered Bazaar today
One immediately thinks of the Covered Bazaar when one thinks of shopping at the Old Town. Covered Bazaar in fact is the oldest shopping mall in the world. It is a maze of streets full of small shops that offer a wide range of almost anything: tiles, textiles, jewellery, antiques, carpets, leather, Turkish delight. You will be bombarded with colours, textures, aromas and sounds as you walk and get lost in the narrow aisles.
Make sure to bargain if you fall in love with something as this is the most oriental way of shopping you can find in the city. Things might not be what they claim to be and the prices might be higher than what they actually are. Most probably the seller is waiting for you to bargain. Don’t be shy.
Cornucopia of textiles with vibrant colours and rich patterns.
Visit stores that sell incredibly rich fabrics with vibrant colours, diverse textures and creative designs that inspire modern designers such as Gaultier and Donna Karan.
A detail from the Cevahir Bedesten
Drop by the Cevahir Bedesten (Old Bazaar) in the heart of the covered bazaar which is the home of the antiques and especially antique jewellery in the bazaar.
You will be stunted by the cornucopia of gem stones of all shapes, colours and sizes when you visit the covered bazaar, Purchasing gem stones is a serious matter especially in the covered bazaar. It is highly advisable that you be suspicious of what you are told. Don’t believe in everything you hear as long as you are not purchasing it from a well established brand with a wide network of branches and which can offer an international certificate. Note that local certificates published by the brands themselves have no credibility. Even if you are purchasing a rather humble piece of jewellery, chances of you being deceived might be higher than you think. An emerald can be synthetic and a London blue topaz might not be what it claims to be.
It is advisable to visit an expert in the field such as Harmony Gem Stones run by an internationally certified genealogist: Fazil Ozen. He also offers courses on gem stones in order to educate the people in the sector. His store is on the side street of the Covered Bazaar and it is worth to pay a visit.
There are authentic restaurants and cafes inside the bazaar. Try Havuzlu Restoran and Sark Kahvesi. You wont regret it. But, there is also a very delicious option right on the side street to covered bazaar: Aslan Restaurant. This restaurant is a secret gem even for locals. You will enjoy the wide range of delicious local tastes from döner kebap to home made food.
Remember that there is an oriental magic to the covered bazaar even for locals.
And after you visit the Covered Bazaar, don’t forget to visit the Spice Bazaar called Mısır Çarsısı literally meaning the Egyptian Bazaar. Egypt was then a part of the Ottoman Empire and the spices sold in the bazaar were brought from Egypt. The Spice Market has recently been renovated. It is a delight to visit it even for the locals for the cornucopia of aromas, tastes, sights and sounds that ignite the imagination and stimulate the senses.
Pandeli Restaurant
There is a lovely surprise waiting for you on the upper floor of the Spice Market. A secret gem not even many locals know: Pandeli Restaurant. Pandeli has recently been beautifully restored. It is a great pleasure to be inside this historical restaurant famous with its traditional tastes overlooking the golden horn. Reserve yourself a table by the window, overlook the buzzing scene of Eminönü with ferries, pigeons and rushing crowds, order yourself a couple of traditional Turkish tastes and savour the moment! And don’t forget “heaven is sometimes a place on earth.”
