The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, was built in the 1660s as part of the New Mosque complex. The name "Egyptian Bazaar" comes from the fact that it was initially financed with taxes from Egypt, which was then an Ottoman province. The market was the empire's center for spice trade, serving as the last stop on the legendary Silk Road.
The L-shaped structure houses approximately 85 shops under its historic vaulted ceilings. Beyond spices, the market now sells a variety of goods including dried fruits, nuts, Turkish delight (lokum), honey, herbal teas, and souvenirs. The market remains an authentic part of Istanbul's daily commercial life, used by locals and tourists alike.
Walking through the Spice Bazaar is a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors of piled spices, the enticing aromas of exotic herbs, and the calls of merchants create a unique atmosphere that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The market's location near the Golden Horn and the Galata Bridge places it at a historic crossroads of trade that continues to thrive in modern Istanbul.
