One of the first destinations to release entry for Brazilians during the pandemic, Turkey has been appearing more constantly in the travel itinerary of those departing from Brazil. In 2022, 79,683 Brazilians were in the country, according to the local Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This represented a change rate of 458% compared to 2021.
According to Decolar, one of the leading companies in the travel sector in Latin America, the demand for these Brazilian travelers represented an increase of 82% comparing the same period between one year and another.
With breathtaking landscapes, another great attraction – if not the main one – is the history that the country carries. This is present in every street and also in tourist spots. One of them is the grand bazaar one of the oldest markets in the world.
While similar bazaars across the world continue to exist as museums, the Grand Bazaar still retains its place and position as a living bazaar where commerce continues.
Inaugurated in 1426, it is located in the capital Istanbul and attracted in the last year almost 40 million visitors from all over the world. The average number of visits per day is 100 thousand people who venture through its labyrinth-like corridors.
Istanbul’s history and shopping route
Located in Fatih, between Nuruosmaniye, Mercan and Beyazıt in Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar has a history that dates back to the mid-15th century. how bazaars were built near religious and social places to meet needs like maintenance and repair costs.
The foundation of the Grand Bazaar relies on the structures erected by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, former Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, to bring income to Hagia Sophia.
The market has become the most important commercial center in the region over time, it has come to serve as an important financial center, where jewelry and precious metals from around the world are traded.
Defined not only as the oldest, but as the largest shopping center in the world, the Grand Bazaar has undergone several renovations by famous architects after several fires and earthquakes. In addition to being historically and culturally important, it features prominently in literature, travelogues and art, and continues to command attention as one of the most visited historic bazaars in the world.
The numbers, what to find and curiosities of space
In an area of 30,700m² there are more than 5 thousand stores that sell countless and different items. It is not possible to define the market in one style. Scarves, pashminas, jewelry, clothes, bags, handicrafts, lanterns, lamps, spice shops, carpets, exchange offices, tiles, antiques in general, restaurants, cafes are just some of the things that can be found there.
And one rule is clear: don’t buy anything without negotiating. You more than 20,000 employees of the place are prepared for this, being able to reduce the value of your purchase significantly. Public relations person Anny Carboni was in the country in 2015, on her Honeymoon, and even bought a local set of cups for less than half the initial price.
“It seems that haggling is in their instinct. I saw a trader not wanting to sell a product to a couple of Americans without first negotiating. It’s almost like a theater, you know they’re going to lower the price. If you say you don’t want the product and turn your back, they’ll go after you to lower the price. The prices are really worth it and there are things you can’t find anywhere else in the world, ”she says.
The oldest store in the place is called “Epok” and it is, not by chance, an antique store. Jewelry is the space’s best-selling product, followed by souvenirs and textiles.
Tips from Brazilians to Brazilians
Brazilians heard by CNN Travel & Gastronomy told their experiences when visiting the Grand Bazaar, gathering some tips for first-time visitors. Everyone highlighted the beauty of the products, aromas, flavors and colors, giving the feeling of being inside a movie, “Aladdin” style.
Tips for a smooth visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar:
- Special attention for women traveling alone. Many felt insecure and unprotected as they walked through the streets of the bazaar;
- Another reason for attention is the change that is given at the time of purchase. More than one traveler reported having real banknotes exchanged for counterfeits during his stay there;
- About the time to spend in the place, travelers were unanimous: although it is huge and has a wide variety of products, the recommendation is to set aside just one afternoon for the tour – unless the main purpose of the trip is shopping. Despite the numerous stores, there are many repeated products;
- Use the map available on site;
- Experiencing all that is offered can be a pleasant surprise. Scents and flavors are spread throughout the bazaar. It is almost customary to enter a small shop and be received with tea or pomegranate juice, a very typical fruit. Enjoy the experience;
- Like any tourist place that is very crowded: be careful with your belongings!
- Regarding the purchase currency, the recommendation is to exchange the lira at exchange offices. Few stores accept dollars or euros. Around the Grand Bazaar there are these houses with very friendly rates. It is worth noting that the houses rarely accept real, so always take dollars or euros for the exchange. Credit cards are also accepted in most establishments.
Entrance to the Grand Bazaar is free. It can be visited every day, except Sunday, from 8:30 am to 7 pm.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
