No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. On your way to Eminonu station by tram, you will encounter a Bazaar opposite the new mosque in Istanbul called the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar), and it is one of the largest Bazaars, as it occupies the second place among all the Bazaars in the city of Istanbul, and contains many shops, about 140 shops. There are about six entrances to the spice Bazaar, and the main entrance to the Bazaar is located in front of the new mosque. The reason for calling this Bazaar “Al-Masry” dates back to the time when the Ottoman rulers were taking taxes from Egypt, this Bazaar was made of Egyptian taxes, and the Ottoman government made it a center for the spice trade in Turkey. This Bazaar has been reconstructed several times, the last time the walls of this bazaar were renovated in 2018, so that tourists can see a new old bazaar and take some souvenir photos as they pass in front of the different rooms of the bazaar. The word mısır in Turkish has two meanings: “Egypt” and “corn.” It is interesting to know that for this reason it is sometimes mistakenly meant “corn bazaar.” This Bazaar has long been a center for the spice trade in Istanbul. The Spice Bazaar is called “Koca Kasim Ağa”, the architect who built the building is Mustafa Aga, and it also called the Spice Bazaar which is part of a larger building known as Yeni Jami (New Mosque) in Istanbul. The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul was built in 1660.

The bazaar also includes the most delicious shops selling oriental and western sweets, gifts and accessories shops that combine a mixture of modern Turkish culture and ancient Ottoman culture. Some shops in the Egyptian bazaar are also distinguished by selling delicious sweet Turkish delight, and various forms of malban, nuts, honey, fruits and many others. You can see hanging sausages, taste colorful cheeses, look at the symbols of Istanbul and buy souvenirs from the shops, and you can enjoy a delicious cup of orange juice from the street vendors in the bazaar. This bazaar is L-shaped, the architecture of the bazaar is very beautiful, the ceilings and walls are beautifully designed and of course the taste of the shopkeepers in arranging their goods helped make the general atmosphere of the bazaar more beautiful. So on your trip to beautiful Istanbul, don’t forget to put the Egyptian Bazaar on your agenda.