Misir Carsisi (Spice or Egyptian Bazaar) – Every Visitor’s Delight
Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar in Eminonu Istanbul
When visiting Istanbul, one cannot think of missing a visit to the famous markets of the city, including the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. An advantage of visiting the Spice Market of Istanbul is that it happens to be more organized and less crowded market as compared to the big Grand Bazaar or the Kapalicarsi.
The Spice Market or the Misir Carsisi is a heaven for getting acquainted with some of the best Turkish delights. You can taste any of the varieties of the spices available in the market.
Talking about its location, it is quite easily reachable. It’s located just behind Yeni Camii or the New Mosque in Eminonu. You can get a tramway to reach this place if you are putting your stay in Sultanahmet. You would notice clearly the Turkish name of the market Misir Carsisi mentioned along with its familiar name Spice Market on the various sign boards in the tram.
If you happen to be first time visitor to the Spice Market, we would like to inform you that you need to pay TYL 1.50 as tram fare and you also need to get tokens before you board the tram. After reaching your destination, you need to walk across the road through the underpass for reaching the New Mosque. Continue walking along the wall of the Mosque to enter the market of spices, that is, the Spice Market.
The Spice Market has just three alleys as compared to the crowded Grand Bazaar having more than 100 alleys. It is a place for spices of almost all the varieties and some sweets too. The variety of spices is really amazing and available in different colors to allure your smelling and seeing power. You can hear vendors calling the visitors in traditional manner and praising their particular spices. You will even notice some vendors asking the passer-bys to try the spices for testing their quality.
You may enter the Spice Market of Istanbul with a pre-conceived notion that it is a place for enjoying ‘lokum’, the famous sweet Turkish delight made of rose water, sugar and starch. But, the fact is that the Spice Market of Istanbul is a place for you to try varieties of Turkish delights, not just the ‘lokum.’ Moreover, you will find fruit juice in place of rose water in lokum along with pieces of fruits including banana, orange, kiwi and any other fruit and nuts.
Yet another inviting and mouth watering Turkish delight available in the Misir Carsisi is figs, either fresh or dried. They are usually available with walnut stuffing and honey or sugar for a sweet taste. Don’t be amazed to hear the vendors calling you to try the Turkish Viagra as figs are often called the by this name in Istanbul.
For those who have a taste for cheeses, you will find sheep and goat cheese served with pistachio in the Spice Market. You can even taste the sample before you find it irresistible to be missed.
Top 10 Tourist Sites of Istanbul
Istanbul Sight -Blue Mosque - Hagia Sophia
If you are on a short visit to Istanbul and want to experience the richness of the place in your visit, then you might feel confused as to which places to visit and which to keep for the next time. This is because Istanbul is a any tourist’s delight as it has not just one or two riches but a plethora of beautiful and famous historical places to be explored. However, the following list of places will help you get the best of Istanbul in the shortest possible time----
Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey
Hagia Sophia —Also known as Aya Sofya , this ancient monument was built in 532-537 A.D. during the rule of Justinian. Being one of the masterpieces of architectural design, it has Byzantine mosaics that date back from sixth century to the 10th century. It was converted to an Ottoman mosque following the fall of Byzantium. Now days, this church works as a museum open for public from Tuesday to Sunday.
Blue Mosque —Popularly known as Sultanahmet Mosque , this magnificent ancient building was made in 1609-1616 by Mehmet Aga. This functioning mosque has nearly 250 windows that allow natural light to flow in making the place appear larger in size. Tourists can enter the mosque once the prayers are over.
Topkapi Palace--- Topkapi Palace was built by Mehmet II after the conquest of Constantinople to be used as his main residence. Built in 1465, the buildings comprise a number of pavilions inside the huge courtyards. This palace used to be the Sultan’s residence and the official government seat. In 1924, Topkapi Palace was converted to a museum and since then, it has on display some of the most exquisite and finest collection of manuscripts, miniatures, jewelry, costumes and some items of religious significance.
Grand Bazaar--- Grand Bazaar is not just any ordinary place to shop. In fact, it has numerous shops, eating joints, banks and a mosque in its periphery. A visit to Istanbul is incomplete without visiting this famous place that is packed to capacity whenever you go there. This covered bazaar was built in 1453 by Mehmet II following his win over the city. It is open from Monday till Saturday.
Basilica Cistern---Meant to provide water to the Great imperial palace, this cistern was made in 532 A.D. by Justinian and is located near the Hippodrome. The cistern has 336 columns of being nearly 26 feet high providing support to the roof. The visitors can enjoy walking along the side ways of the cistern and listen to the mesmerizing sound of water.
Galata Tower--- Built in 1348, this huge tower seemingly touching the skyline used to serve the purpose of a watch tower during the Ottoman period. One can have views of Princes’ Islands from the top of this tower on clear days. The top floors of this tower have been converted to a night club and a restaurant.
Chora Church---This church of St. Savior was constructed in the 11th century at the site where an earlier church used to exist. The remodeling of Chora Church was done during 1315-1321 with the help of funds provided by an elite Byzantine theologian, Theodore Metochites. The walls and the roofs of this church have some of the most exquisite mosaics of the Byzantine period that depict religious scenes of Christ and Virgin Mary among others. The church now serves as a museum after its conversion into a mosque during the 16th century.
Spice Bazaar---As the structure was built from the funds collected through tax imposed on goods imported from Egypt, this bazaar got to be known as Egyptian Bazaar or Misir Carsisi. From spices, caviar, nuts to herbs, the bazaar is a good place to shop for spices of almost all types. This is a perfect place to shop for herbs to get relief from a number of ailments.
Dolmabahce Palace---Designed by the famous Armenian family of architects, this palace was made by Sultan Abdulmecit I in 1856. One can go inside the palace only by guided tour. The palace is still very luxuriant although it was built when the Ottoman Empire was on its last legs.
Eyup Sultan---Eyup is regarded as one of the main Muslim pilgrimage ranking only after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is the resting place of Eyup Ensari, the “alamdar” or the standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. Eyup Ensari was buried outside the city walls following his death during the siege of Constantinople by Arabs in 678 A.D. Meanwhile, a mosque was built around the tomb of Eyup Ensari by Sultan Mehmet II after he conquered Istanbul. Being a sacred place, it is often visited by Muslims for performing prayers and seeking blessings.
Istanbul- A city of Many Treasures
Taksim
Having originated nearly 3000 years ago, Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey, used to be the capital city of Byzantium and later to the Ottoman Empire. The city stretches along the Bosphorus waterway and is considered to be the heart and soul of the country. It has a large number of bars and hotels jostling to grab attention in the busy markets of the city. Ranging from the small hotels to the luxury hotels, you can find a variety of hotels to choose from. And the most significant among the luxury chain of hotels is the famous Four Seasons Hotel which was once a prison lying near the Hagia Sophia. Close by, you will find Empress Zoe hotel that offers exquisite views from the tastefully decorated and fully furnished rooms.
For those of you, who want to enjoy their favorite pizzaz, go straight to Pera Palas Hotel. However, if you want a cheaper option of staying, you can go Bohemian Grand Hotel de Londres.
Istanbul- the city of many treasures--- Do you know why Istanbul is worth visiting? Simple, because it has many wonders located within its territory. Be it the magnificent mosques, luxury hotels, hot night-spots or many other spots providing nature at its best, it is certainly going to make you fall in love with its treasures.
Dining and drinking is favorite among the Turks. You can taste some of the tastiest and freshly baked pastries and vine-leaf rolls. For those who are pure vegetarians, there are numerous dishes to choose from. Night life can be experienced till the wee hours as almost all the drinking places are full to capacity.
However, if you want a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city’s fast life, catch a trip to the Bosphorus. You can munch your lunch at many fish restaurants near the Black Sea.
The best thing about Istanbul is that you can go to almost all the sight-seeing places on foot as they are all within a short walking distance. So, to discover and enjoy the beauty of the beautiful Sultanahmet Meydani Park, go strolling. Have a hot steaming cup of dark Turkish tea. You will see the dominating buildings of the Hagia Sophia church and the Suleymaniye Mosque vying to get attention.
Walk a while and you will come across the Topkapi Palace, once a political hub of the Ottoman Empire. The palace dates back to 1465 and is now converted to a museum having finest collection of the treasury.
If you haven’t visited the famous Grand Bazaar, your visit to Istanbul is considered incomplete. From jewelry to carpets to textiles, you will find almost all the things in this bazaar which is a favorite not only among the tourists but also among the locals. if you prefer walking, you will reach this bazaar from Sultanahmet in 20 minutes. However, you can also take a Zeytinburnu Tram.
There are a number of cheap eating places in the city including the Tarihi Sultanahmet Halk Koftecisi where you can taste hot kofte topped with buttery semolina dish. You can also enjoy vegetarian dishes at Kanaat near the Suleymaniye Mosque.
Egyptian Spice Bazaar is a hot spot for buying spices, nuts, dry fruits and other Turkish aphrodisiacs. If you are feeling tired, head straight towards the traditional Turkish hamam and relax yourself with a message and hot bath. You can enjoy this facility at Cemberlitas Hamam.
Five famous eating places—Enjoy aniseed-flavored drink in Boncuk at Nevizade Sokak 19, Beyoglu or simply try your favorite fish dishes and tahini ice cream at Balikci Sabahattin at Cankurtaran Sait Hasan Kuyu Sokak in Sultanahmet.
For having mouth watering milky sweet and baklava, you must not miss to dine at Saray in Beyoglu. If you like koftas or meatballs garnished with pistachios and egg kebab, step into Hamdi at Tahmis Cad, Kalcin Sok 17 in Eminonu which specializes in spicy meat dishes. For enjoying cheap kebabs along with grilled meat, go to Bambi at Siraselviler Caddesi, Taksim Square.
