The Grand Bazaar (called Kapali Çarsi, or "covered market") is Turkey's largest marketplace that evokes the image of travelers past—of romance, spies, adventure, and erotic trysts behind piles of carpets. In short, all the fantasies of Western

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The Grand Bazaar (called Kapali Çarsi, or "covered market") is Turkey's largest marketplace that evokes the image of travelers past—of romance, spies, adventure, and erotic trysts behind piles of carpets. In short, all the fantasies of Western travelers about the East are loaded up here amongst the nearly 4,000 shops beneath the Bazaar's ancient arches. Probably the most popular items here are the Turkish rugs, but you can also find hookahs, embroidered slipcovers, Turkish delight candy (yes, it really is Turkish), and other great souvenirs that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Yes, it's cruisy. And yes, please watch your valuables because it's also pickpocket central. There are lots of tourists, but also amazingly cute locals here too. If you stay to eat in one of the many small restaurants behind the shop fronts, you'll find more locals than tourists and maybe even a friend or two. Note that the bazaar is closed on Sunday.

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