Dating back to 1461, the Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, Istanbul is the world's oldest shopping mall. Enter via one of the impressive stone archways and you are whisked back in time to a bustling street lined with sparkling gold and jewels. The choice is flabbergasting, whatever you desire you will find. Dive into one of the narrower alleys to search for scarves, cotton or wool? silk or cashmere? Ceramics, hand painted tiles and bowls from Iznik, leather goods; bags to die for and jackets that can sometimes raise a smile with their Eastern appeal. Amber, coral or turquoise; necklaces or bracelets? Clothing; modern, or why not buy a fez and a belly dancing costume? Then there are the carpets! Hand knotted silk carpets at prices that once would have bought a starter home, woollen kilims of all sizes and designs. Watches, towels, embroidered items, beads, soap, sweets, toys, games, the shopping list is endless.
Let the traders entertain you with their banter. Barter to try and get the price down. Feeling weary? Try one of the cafes in the heart of the bazaar, for a snack or a perfect Turkish coffee. It is impossible to visit and not be stunned by the history, the colours and the life force of the Grand Bazaar ... and to leave without buying something perfect for you.

At the end of Divan Yolu from Sultanahmet Square. Beyazit/Grand Bazaar stop on the tramway.
Google map: bit.ly/s34H8V

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My favourite subterranean attraction is not actually a cave, or a mine, but the Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatan Sarnici, which is the largest of the myriad of cisterns beneath the streets of Istanbul. This 6th century Byzantine underground chamber can hold 80,000 cubic metres of water, although nowadays visitors walk on a raised platform above the shallow water, and watch carp swimming languidly below. The ceiling is supported by hundreds of soaring marble columns nine metres high, two of which have huge Roman blocks with the carved head of Medusa at their base. Eerie and magical, the cistern feels like an underground cathedral.
A great place to visit to escape the midday heat, and there's also a small cafe.

www.yerebatan.com
13 Basilica C, 34410 Istanbul Province, Turkey
+90 212 522 1259
Google map: bit.ly/p42Arh

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I've used the service of this company for my transportation in Istanbul and all was arranged in a perfect way.

www.vipserairporttransfers.com/

Ogut Sokak No: 10,
Beyoglu 34437 Istanbul
Tel: +90 532 608 1470
Fax: +90 212 244 0649
Email: sales@vipserairporttransfers.com

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I strongly recommend this firm.I traveled with them on last thursday and everything was as they promised.

www.istanbultransfertour.com

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