Arasta Bazaar, Istanbul

The Arasta Bazaar can be easily regarded as the Blue Mosque’s stylish backyard market. Built back in the 17th century, its original purpose was very practical: its shop rent helped pay for the mosque’s maintenance. You could say it was history’s most elegant fundraising program. For a long time, though, the shops sat empty… until the tourism boom of the 1980s and ’90s breathed life (and bargaining) back into the place.

Now, if Grand Bazaar feels like too much cardio or too many elbows, Arasta Bazaar is your happy middle ground. It offers a slimmed-down version of the Istanbul shopping experience: fewer crowds, less chaos, and still plenty of temptation. With over 70 shops selling everything from carpets and kilims to ceramic tiles, spices, teas, and jewelry, you can tick all your souvenir boxes in one relaxed stroll. And don’t worry — the salesmen here are multilingual charm-machines who can joke, flatter, and caffeinate you into seeing why that extra scarf is suddenly essential. Prices start reasonably and get friendlier the moment you start negotiating.

While you’re browsing, look down — literally beneath your feet lies a piece of Byzantine luxury. Excavations revealed that this area once belonged to the Great Palace, the imperial stomping grounds of Constantinople. Today, you can head downstairs to the Great Palace Mosaic Museum and admire vivid scenes of ancient life: animals, hunters, mythical creatures… basically the original “floor stickers.”

So, take your time. Enjoy a coffee, admire the craftsmanship, and leave with a story — plus at least one more bag than you intended. Arasta Bazaar may be modest in size, but it’s rich in history, charm, and shopping victories.