The market in the Kapalu Charshi is one of the most picturesque places in Istanbul

If you are dreaming of seeing a real oriental market as described in the Scheherazade Tale, it is enough to visit the most famous market in Istanbul.

If you are dreaming of seeing a real oriental market as described in the Scheherazade Tale, it is enough to visit the most famous market in Istanbul. Its local name is "Kapalu Charshi" (in Turkish it means literally "Covered Market"), so it is also known in Bulgaria, but is known worldwide as "Grand Bazaar". In 2014, the market occupies a leading position in the world among the most visited tourist sites - 91 250 000 tourists.
Placement.
It is located in the very center of the city - the old part of Istanbul, in the Bayazid area, near the St. Sofia Temple (Aya Sofia) and the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque).
General description.
Kapalu Charshi is a huge covered maze with a lead roof, various domes and many streets. The atmosphere of the East is carried through the air and you will inevitably enjoy its spirit, old streets and dazzling shops while strolling through the Kapalu Charshi.
The market is a kind of city with an area of more than 30,000 square meters. It includes about 5,000 shops, sixty streets, two mosques, fountains and fountains, hammocks, about forty hotels, as well as schools, a hospital, a police station, restaurants and cafes.
Kapalu Charshi is visited daily by at least a quarter of a million visitors, sometimes reaching almost half a million. The market itself enters through a total of 18 doors (entrances). 9 of them are Beyazıt, Feschiler, Sahaflar, Kyurkchyuler, Nuruosmaniye, Mahmutpasha, Mercan Tadzhurzhler basic. The inputs Bayazid and Nurosmanie are the main ones (above them there is the inscription "God is merciful to the one who commits himself to trade"). If you do not want to get lost, be sure to remember which entry you entered.
Assortment.
Spices and dried fruits, antiques, shoes, slippers, sugar and confectionery, oriental sweets, leather, leather goods, clothing, bags, cloth and textiles, gold and silver, jewelry, coins, carpets, souvenirs, paintings, books, tea, coffee, ceramic, bronze and glassware and many more.
Structure.
Market streets are often named with the names of crafts or merchandise that are represented in a particular place by the market. Focusing on this, you can quickly find the products you are looking for jewelry and gold bracelets - on the jewelers' street (Kalpakcılar Caddesi), gold - on Kuyumcular Carsısı, furniture - on Divrikli Caddesi, rugs - Sahaflar Caddesi, leather garments - on Perdahçılar Caddesi, hookahs, antiques, textiles, shoes, slippers, etc. - you will also find it in the streets of the same name.

Advices

Turkish markets accepted to bargain! If you are communicative, friendly and friendly, you will surely get a discount! Experienced salespeople make no mistake about the nationality of people visiting the market. With each representative of a country, locals have clearly developed and proven ways of communication over the years. In any case, the seller will not be at a loss, even if he sells you the t-shirt you want 3 times cheaper than the price indicated. So bargain, but don't cross the border.

Sellers will often invite you to their store to browse their merchandise. They will even speak Bulgarian. In this case, it will be very difficult for you to leave without buying anything - simply the merchant will show you the variety of his range, will tell you about the origin and the various benefits of a product, it will literally flood you with all kinds of information.

The prices of goods in Turkish Lira are much lower than in other currencies. So, exchange currency in advance. There are bureaus in the market itself to give you a good exchange rate, but it takes luck and patience to find them.

We would like to remind you once again - the marketing of Kapalu Charshi has become a ritual that can be a pleasure for both parties in the buying process. Always bargain, as prices in the Grand Bazaar are overstated, sometimes even 2-3 times.

Do not be interested in a specific product, because Kapalu Charshi employs real professionals and virtuosos in the trade who have a solid knowledge of psychology. If they notice that you liked a particular product, it will be more difficult for you to download than the price.

Do not be surprised if your seller supplies you with Turkish coffee or tea. Turkish traders know how to get your money. But if you can "do the so-called. Mohabet ”(to have an interesting conversation) with the merchant, then you will be able to boast a good discount afterwards.

If you are not comfortable shopping and have enough time, head to other areas (markets) in Istanbul. Surely there will be lower prices. But you would never, anywhere, enjoy the purchase process as much as Kapalu Charshi. The Orienteering atmosphere of books and films has absorbed every meter of the huge market.

Do the following experiment. Enter a store and head for some useless rattle. Contact the seller and set a ridiculous and absurdly low price for the gadget. At that moment you will witness an unforgettable performance by the seller. No, no one is going to charge you and expel you - in Turkey, they know how to sniff out the money of brazen customers. As a result of the show, you are very likely to leave with two unforeseen shopping bags. The interesting thing is that leaving the store you will not have any feeling of indignation or anger, but rather a sincere feeling due to the cordial communication, as well as the pleasure of watching the highly professional work of the seller.

If you do not want to buy anything after entering a retail outlet, you should in no way worry about it - no one will be offended by you, this is part of the game.

Rules of conduct.

If you need information, you should remember that a woman can only ask a woman for help and only a man for help. For example, if a tourist asks a Turk how to get to a tourist attraction, this can be seen as some kind of joke on her part, which can lead to unwanted situations. It is the same if a tourist turns to a Turk asking for information.

It is not acceptable to refer to a Turk by name only, he may accept it as insult and disrespect. Be sure to add the name and the Bey Plugin, sir. For example Khairul Bey. If you are referring to a lady, then add her name to "hanam" - Hatice hanam.

The Turks can use the Effend plugin for you, which means "sir." This is the standard approach of the service personnel.

When visiting a restaurant in Istanbul.

It is customary to leave a tip, which is 5% of the total, in restaurants and cafes. If you are satisfied with the service, no one will be angry with you if you leave and more.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in public places.

Don't shoot locals without asking for their permission!

Remember that Turkey is a Muslim country and morals are much stricter than ours. For example, others would not look with a good eye at showing feelings - hugs, kisses, even if you are a married couple.

The Turks are an extremely welcoming nation and treat all foreigners with respect and respect, so compliance with these small rules will certainly add to the positive emotions of your Istanbul trip.

You can see beautiful models of women's jewelry in our online jewelry store.