Vezir Han – Old Carpets, Kilims & Rugs han, one of the hidden gems of the Old City. Visit a Historic Caravanserai Step inside one of Istanbul’s hidden caravanserais, once a resting place for Silk Road merchants. Explore its courtyards and arches while learning about its history and the art traditions it preserved. This historic han dates back to the 17th century, built during the Ottoman period as a commercial center where merchants stayed, stored goods, and traded valuable items like silk, spices, and carpets. Today, it remains a living piece of history and one of the best places to see authentic antique carpets and kilims. Carpets in this region are much more than decoration—they are storytellers. Traditionally, carpets were woven by hand, often by women, and each piece reflects the weaver’s life, emotions, beliefs, and hopes.Vezirhan offers an exquisite collection of handwoven carpets and a remarkable variety of patterns and origins. Discover a treasure that art meets heritage.

Grand Bazaar - Having its own executive board, 15th century Grand Bazaar offers you a whole different world experience with its more than 4000 thousand shops inside. With many gates and side ones are welcoming you to its own wonderland. Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Its history goes back to the 15th century, shortly after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans. What began as a small trading area for valuable goods like silk and jewelry eventually grew into a massive complex with thousands of shops and dozens of streets. Bazaar is not just a market—it is the heart of commerce in the Ottoman Empire. Merchants were organized by trade, so each street had a specialty; gold, carpets, leather, ceramics, spices and more. Notice the arched ceilings, domes, and decorative details, which helps protect traders and customers from heat, rain, and fire. The bazaar also had its own rules, security, and closing hours—like a small city inside the city.

Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) - we arrive at the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar. This market was built in the 17th century and became the center of the spice trade in Istanbul. Its name comes from the fact that many spices and goods arrived through Egypt, which was an important province of the Ottoman Empire. The moment you enter, you’ll notice the rich aromas—cinnamon, cumin, saffron, sumac, dried fruits, nuts, and herbs. Spices were once extremely valuable, used not only for flavor but also for medicine, preservation, and perfumes. Beyond spices, the bazaar is famous for Turkish delight, teas, dried fruits, honey, and natural products. Many shops here are family-run and have been operating for generations, preserving traditional recipes and knowledge. This bazaar is smaller and more focused than the Grand Bazaar, making it easier to explore. It reflects a different side of Istanbul—more sensory, colorful, and aromatic—where food culture and daily life come together

Eminönü Çarşısı, Stroll through the vibrant backstreets of Eminönü, a hidden world of textile shops, traditional kitchenware, copper items where locals do shopping. Discover where locals get their needs away from the tourist crowds. Try a turkish coffee at backyard of a very famous coffee shop