Would have loved to have spent longer exploring this massive complex; but as is usual with these trips time was limited. Conditions were not good for photography – dingy lighting and a huge throng of people being the major ‘irritants’. Of course without these the Grand Bazaar and neighbouring Spice Market would have none of their unique atmosphere.

“The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest buildings, containing a network of 61 covered streets… Everyday in this teeming marketplace, as many as 30,000 traders in 4,500 shops befriend and haggle with up to 400,000 shoppers – both locals and visitors from all around the world. In business since its foundation in 1461, the bazaar is the world’s oldest covered market” DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide: Istanbul