Market tours · ISTANBUL
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 spice market and bazaar tours in Istanbul worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Explore Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar from rooftops, workshops, and secret passages on a lively 2-hour guided tour for $31.
“This tour is very eye opening into the world of the Grand Bazaar.”
Review of Istanbul’s 3-hour Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus cruise, with practical advice on guides, ferry views, timing, value, and drawbacks.
“Excellent guide providing good information all along the tour”
Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar in four hours with a guide, hotel pickup options, and practical tips.
“Our guide was good at being flexible. Thought that we would have a shuttle van for the day, but was only for the initial drive and then we used the tram to return at the end of the day, which was a little challenging since we had a large group and some small children.”
Review of Istanbul’s private Grand Bazaar shopping tour, with personal guidance, bargaining help, local refreshments, and practical booking advice.
“We met Karya in Istanbul and she was absolutely amazing! Her English is perfect, and she’s so kind, friendly, and informative. What could have been an overwhelming experience turned into such a fun and memorable day — full of laughter, great shopping, and beautiful insights into the kindness of the people of Istanbul. We’re so thankful for her guidance and highly recommend her to anyone visiting. She truly made our day incredible! 💛”
Review of Istanbul’s private Old City walk, covering Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar in 5 to 6 hours.
“I wish I could give more that 5 stars!!! Furkan is amazing. We had a blast with him. He is so knowledgable and passionate about the history of Istanbul. He spent time understanding what we were interested and tailored our time to that. And, he’s a GREAT photographer!!! We’ll definitely book with him on our next visit to Istanbul.”
Review of Istanbul’s private 8-hour tour covering Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Grand Bazaar.
“The guide Leyla was truly excellent, highly knowledgeable but delightful with it. We were picked up from our hotel and as this was a private tour it was tailor made to our specific requirements. I had a skiing accident recently and was walking with a stick and she ensured everything was manageable and we really got the best out of our day. The driver was great too negotiating the terrible Istanbul traffic and very attentive👍.Everything worked superbly. Highly recommended.”
Review of Istanbul’s $29 Sultanahmet tour, covering the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Spice Bazaar details, value, and practical tips.
“Our guide Ican was excellent. Really knowledgeable and helpful.”
Review of Istanbul’s 4-hour Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar tour, with shopping tips, guide strengths, costs, cautions, and practical advice.
“I hadn’t thought much about the reservation when I booked. The tour guide, Ertugrul, was excellent. He was personable and interested in finding what we were looking to see and purchase. Other tour guides had tried to pressure us into situations of which we weren’t interested but Ertugrul had connections in the bazaar and showed us the quality places for things we were seeking like iznik ceramic pieces. We weren’t looking for brand named fashion items or rugs which you can certainly find there. I only wish I bought a few more things because the quality and price was better than in other places. I didn’t have any problem getting…”
Review of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar shopping tour, with bargaining tips, local guides, small groups, costs, timing, and practical advice.
“The company did not realize there were no tours to this site on Sundays so I was postponed until the following weekend and had to change my travel plans. Only one person (me) on the tour. Kind of short, guide seemed in a hurry to get away.”
Cruise the Bosphorus, explore Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, and see Balat, Byzantine walls, palaces, and Rumeli Fortress in 3.5 hours.
“La guida è stata molto competente gentile e disponibile. Bella la crociera …”
Review of Istanbul’s 4-hour Bosphorus cruise and Spice Bazaar tour, with practical advice on sights, value, guides, pickup, and drawbacks.
“The spice bazaar where we had a private meeting with a shop owner to learn about their products without the pushing nature of most vendors. Also the cruise was beautiful. My only complaint is that sitting on the outdoor deck, it was not possible to hear the boat’s explanations of what we were seeing over the boat’s speakers. We could have gone downstairs which was indoors and perhaps heard better. But it was too sunny of a day to be inside.”
Review of Istanbul’s $14 Grand Bazaar shopping tour, with bargaining help, local workshops, flexible pacing, meeting details, and practical tips.
“Shopping tour was great! Eren was really polite and informative when going around he told us about the history behind each place and helped us look for everything we wanted while bargaining and showing us good spots to check out later on our trip. Would definitely recommend as it was super cheap and he was really helpful!”
Explore Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar with a private local guide, get help bargaining, find quality Turkish goods, and learn the market’s Ottoman story.
“Emrah was an excellent Tour Guide I mentioned to him I cannot walk so much. He went out of his way to help me out also help me bargain at the grand bazaar.”
Explore Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and carpet crafts with a small English-speaking group.
“I had a wonderful tour with Erol. He was extremely knowledgeable and his English was excellent. I would recommend Erol to any person wanting to use a guide.”
Review of Istanbul’s 8-hour Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar tour, with lunch, guide, transport and ticket advice.
“Had a marvellous day out with our guide mamit. lots of walking, lots of information and a wonderful time spent.”
Pick a canal, a covered hall, a souk or a stove.
