An aerial view of the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) in Istanbul. As you can see, the Grand Bazaar is huge! It consists of over 4.000 shops spread out in a maze of 56 interconnecting vaulted passages totaling an area of 54.653 square meters. So yes, the Grand Bazaar consists of the whole picture, not just the part in the middle!

Every street in the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) of Istanbul is dedicated to a certain profession. Shops displaying similar goods are therefore grouped together in certain sections of the Grand Bazaar. This results in pretty stiff competition, but is of course convenient for the shoppers. This is a picture I took of the leather street.

This is the main entrance to the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar of Istanbul, located on the big square of Eminönü.

Unfortunately, the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is no longer all about herbs and spice. The past few years some shops traded in their spices and nuts for probably more profitable souvenirs and carpets.

The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) in Istanbul is of course the place to be to stock up on spices, herbs, honey or caviar. My favorite shop is located at the back, just before the exit.

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) has no less than 21 different gates or entrances. This is the Nuruosmaniye Kapı or gate, one of the five most used entrances, which is also the closest gate when coming from Sultanahmet.