Spice Bazaar, Istanbul

No visit to Istanbul is truly complete until your nose leads you straight into the Spice Bazaar — the city’s most aromatic attraction and a place where your senses officially clock in for overtime. Sitting close to the Galata Bridge, this bustling market is smaller than the Grand Bazaar… but who needs size when you’ve got fragrance, flavor, and enough dried herbs to season a whole empire?

Built in 1664 as part of the New Mosque complex, this bazaar is traditionally referred to by locals as either the Egyptian Bazaar or the Corn Market (the Turkish language can be efficient like that). Historical documents, however, suggest it was first called the “New Bazaar,” but when construction funds arrived from Egypt, the then province of the Ottoman Empire, the name took a very practical turn. For centuries afterward, the money made from renting out the bazaar shops was used to support the New Mosque.

Traditionally, this was the beating heart of Istanbul’s spice trade — a place where life smelled like cinnamon, saffron, and a little bit of mystery. Today, you’ll still find piles of colorful spices, but also Turkish delight glistening like edible jewels, dried fruits, and nuts stacked like treasure. There's also enough tea and coffee on sale to caffeinate everyone on both sides of the Bosphorus. Add to this pottery, jewelry, and souvenirs, and you’ve got a total of 80+ shops of sensory temptation.

So, grab the opportunity and take your time strolling, sniffing, and sampling — it’s all part of the experience. And when the moment comes to pay, remember: this is Istanbul. Haggling isn’t rude… it’s a tradition.