Egyptian Spice Market – Istanbul

The Egyptian Spice market is the oldest bazaar in Istanbul.  After the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Spice Market is the second largest covered market.  It was named Mısır Çarşısı or Egyptian Bazaar because the spices used to be imported from Egypt.

To explore this bustling market, head for Eminou, near the mouth of the Golden Horn.   In the bazaar you’ll find heaps of spices,  stacks of dates, all kinds of tantalising Turkish sweets, including Turkish delight with various nuts in them, dried foods and much more.  For centuries, the Turkish people have been coming to the Spice Market to buy herbal remedies  to help alleviate symptoms of diseases and remedies for infertility and weight loss, etc.  I was more interested in tasting the Turkish delight and other sweets that were being offered.  They were very tempting and it took a lot of restrain to stop myself from buying some. 

If you feel peckish after all your walking, there is also cooked food that you can buy.  At this kebab sandwich stall, the owner was offering tastings of his kebabs, however we had to decline as we don’t eat meat.  He then offered to pose in our photo.

Outside the Spice Market there were all sorts of other goods being sold as well.  It was a very colorful experience and one not to be missed.

Helen