The Grand Bazaar amazed me, prompting a return visit with my husband. We enjoyed its diverse offerings, from spices to trinkets, and found Istanbul to be an incredible, though costly, adventure.
Monthly Archives: August 2025
Balat market
Imagine my delight in discovering an outdoor market in Balat, with all the joy of fresh produce stalls. Vibrant colors, lively atmosphere, and appealing scents, the freshness and size of the fruits and vegetables are in stark contrast with our UK supermarket offerings.
Rainbow Balat
Balat, Istanbul, is a vibrant neighborhood known for its diverse architectural styles, including leaning wooden houses and colourful buildings. Highlights include the historic Phanar Greek Orthodox College and Kiremit Street, popular for its vivid homes. The area combines steep streets, artistic murals, and charming elements like bakeries and playful cats, appealing to photographers.
Beautiful Balat
Balat, a vibrant suburb of Istanbul accessible by tram, features narrow cobbled streets lined with colourful houses, cafes, and galleries. Historically significant for its Jewish population established in the late 15th century, it has gained recent popularity among social media users, particularly on the well-known Kiremit Street.
Grand bazaar
The Grand Bazaar, or Kapalı Çarşı, is a historic, bustling market dating back to the 15th century, featuring over 4,000 shops. Filled with vibrant colors and diverse smells, it offers an array of haberdashery items. The route to the bazaar showcases intriguing sights, including questionable military goods for sale.
Sunset silhouettes
Let’s appreciate some stunning architecture at sunset and colorful produce in the Egyptian Bazaar.
Basilica cistern
The Basilica Cistern, also known as “Yerebatan Sarayı,” is a remarkable ancient underground structure in İstanbul, built by Emperor Justinian I. It features 336 unique marble columns and has a capacity of 80,000 tons. The cistern historically supplied water to the Great Palace and remains a fascinating historical site.