Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet
Located just next to the famous Blue Mosque in the small streets of Sultanahmet is the smaller version of the Grand Bazaar called the Arasta Bazaar.
It was built around the same time as the Blue Mosque and was a famous marketplace of Sultanahmet. The rents of the shops in this bazaar contributed towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Blue Mosque. It was known by the name of Sipahiler Bazaar in Ottoman period and was a favorite place for buying cavalry items.
However, later, it came to be used as a house for horses. This bazaar was damaged by fires and remained ignored for a number of years. It was only in 1974 that efforts were made to revamp the area.
At present, the bazaar has nearly 83 shops dealing in textiles and carpets. The shops also exhibit many items bought by tourists as souvenirs and gifts to lure wandering tourists to have a look inside the shops. If you happen to walk through the streets of this bazaar while doing window shopping, do not forget to take a break to enjoy the walkway.
While strolling along the walkway of the bazaar, you will notice several pieces of tiles and mosaics visible between the stones. These mosaics and tiles are the remnants of Byzantium’s Great Palace built by Constantine the Great. The design of this palace was originally made by Emperor Constantine I. The huge structure included a large number of state buildings, churches, libraries, fountains, assembly halls, stadiums, chapels, audience rooms, thermal baths and numerous courtyards.
However, over the years, the huge complex was ravaged by natural calamities including fires and earthquakes and remained neglected. If you want to have a look at the remnant mosaics from this palace, visit the Mosaic Museum located just next to the Bazaar (Arasta Bazaar). After you finish seeing the designer artworks of the palace and reach the exit point, you will be brought at the heart of this bazaar once again.
The Arasta Bazaar, with its laid-back atmosphere, happens to be the best bet for shopping carpets as compared to the Grand Bazaar. As the tourist season approaches, all the shopkeepers can be seen out in the bazaar to lure more and more customers into their shops with handful of tea glasses.
However, there is no persistence to buy anything as is common in other shopping areas of Sultanahmet. Moreover, the visitors to this bazaar are serious shoppers who are clear about what they want and where to shop for.
If you want to shop for collectable textiles, the best place in the Arasta Bazaar happens to be Mehmet Cetinkaya’s Maison du Tapis d’Orient. This shop was opened in 1986 and is quite famous the world over for buying reasonably priced Turkish textiles.
Another famous shopping place in this bazaar is Cocoon that was established by Mustafa Demir and Seref Ozen in 1995. This shop is known for affordable and quality goods. It is famous store for buying Turkmen embroideries and rugs from Central Asia.
Just at the beginning of the Arasta Bazaar, a small café stages a show called ‘whirling dervish show’ for tourists at night. If you don’t have a liking for touristy performances, then you must miss this show. However, for those wanting to witness a whirling dervish ceremony, the best thing is to visit Sirkeci train station or Galata Mevlevi Han.
A refreshing and instant snack meal can be enjoyed at the café located at the end of this shopping area near the Blue Mosque. You will not just get a perfect view of the Blue Mosque from this café but also see people having lunch, sipping tea and taking a puff of a nargile.
For those who want to enjoy a real sumptuous meal, the Mavi Ev Hotel situated across the street from this bazaar is the best bet. While enjoying meal at this restaurant, watch the exotic views of some of the famous places of Sultanahmet from the rooftop terrace of this restaurant.
Whether you want to refresh yourself after a hectic day of shopping and sightseeing or just want to gear up for a big shopping spree, a visit to the famous Java Studio for having the best coffee with delicious pastry is a must.
Sultanahmet – A Shopper’s Paradise
Shopping is, no doubt, one of the most enjoyable hobbies of the women, the world over. If you are visiting Istanbul and want to go on a shopping spree, then you are not alone. This is because Istanbul is a shopping paradise because you can choose from international brands to the local made products, depending upon your personal choice and your pocket.If you have a discerning eye for beautiful artifacts and want to grab some along with you, then Sultanahmet certainly is the best place for you to shop till you drop. The only thing is that you should know what you want to buy and get prepare to do negotiations with the shopkeepers. In fact, negotiations and bargaining are an inseparable part of shopping in Istanbul, whether it’s simple street vendor or the big shopping malls.
While Istanbul is famous as a shopper’s city for almost centuries now, the inviting Grand Bazaar can be given the name of the oldest shopping mall of the world. With nearly 4,000 shops having exquisite stocks of jewelry in gold and in silver to the most fashionable and trendsetting leather jackets, you can get whatever you want. In fact, sky is actually the limit for any shopper.
Apart from the ancient and sprawling Grand Bazaar, you will come across a large number of colorful markets, big shopping centers and, not to miss, the beautiful range of products displayed tastefully in the small boutiques. Whether you are looking to buy some souvenirs, some clothes, leather products, books or the most coveted piece of adornment, the jewelry, you can find almost everything under the sun in the bazaars of Istanbul.
Next in the list comes the Arasta Bazaar that sits quietly on the left of the Blue Mosque. You can go shopping in this Bazaar of Sultanahmet even on Sunday. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the Grand Bazaar, then you must shop in the calmer atmosphere of the Arasta Bazaar. Want to take a small break from your shopping? Visit the nearby eateries for relaxing and sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Many of you might feel a bit confused about which shops to go in or how to strike the right deal with the shopkeepers. There is no need to worry because you can get a personal shopper by browsing the related sites through the internet. With the help of a personal shopper, you can get rid of all worries regarding where to go and how much to pay.
Now let us come to some of the famous and best shopping centers of Sultanahmet. The city of Istanbul is known for having some of the best carpets, kilims and sumacs that any home decorator cannot afford to miss. You can find a good variety of bed sheets, tablecloths and pillow covers in the E & S Textile Arts and Rugs store.
Fatih Gallery is the best place for buying souvenirs at almost half the price at any other shop in Istanbul. If you are ready to walk a little out of the way, then do visit the Corlulu Alipasa Medresesi for buying some best carpets at best prices.
For those having a craze for jewelry in gold or diamonds, a visit to Vieri shop is a must. It is located down the Blue Mosque across the street. And for those who want to buy some exquisite silver jewelry, go straight to Silverado, a small shop having huge variety at affordable prices.
And if you want to take home some of the handcrafted textiles of Turkey, its advisable to go to the Lodos Fashion Line, a shop that stocks designer purses, hats and shoes in silk and kilim.
So, go shopping in the shopper’s paradise called Istanbul and make the best of your visit.
Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet Istanbul
