The Spice Bazaar and Süleymaniye Mosque: A Half Day in Eminönü

In short: start at the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı, the Egyptian Bazaar) by the Eminönü ferry piers, then walk uphill through the old market streets to the Süleymaniye Mosque, the masterpiece Mimar Sinan built for Süleyman the Magnificent. Both are free to enter. Avoid Friday mornings, when the mosque is closed to visitors for the midday prayer.

Last checked: 10 November 2026. Opening times can change on religious holidays, so check on the day.

The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)

The Spice Bazaar was built in the 1660s as part of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) complex, which still stands right next to it. Its long, vaulted halls are lined with stalls selling spices, dried fruit, nuts, herbal teas, lokum (Turkish delight), dried peppers and aubergines, olive oil soaps and coffee. It is smaller and calmer than the Grand Bazaar, and easy to see in under an hour.

• Entry: free. The bazaar is open every day; each shop keeps its own hours, and some stalls open later on Sunday mornings. Hours are shorter on public and religious holidays.
• Tasting: stallholders are happy to let you taste lokum, nuts and dried fruit before you buy.
• Shopping tip: buy small amounts of spices that you will actually use; ask for them to be vacuum-packed if you are flying home.
• Outside: the streets around the bazaar, towards Tahtakale, are where locals shop for coffee, cheese, olives and kitchenware.

The Süleymaniye Mosque

High on one of Istanbul’s seven hills, the Süleymaniye Mosque was built between 1550 and 1557 by the great architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. Its huge dome and four minarets dominate the skyline above the Golden Horn. Inside it feels calm and full of light, and it is usually far less crowded than the mosques of Sultanahmet.

• Entry: free. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times; the mosque closes to visitors for a short time around each of the five daily prayers.
• Fridays: closed to visitors until early afternoon because of the midday congregational prayer.
• Dress code: shoulders and knees covered; women cover their hair. Shoes off at the door.
• The tombs: in the garden behind the mosque are the tombs of Süleyman the Magnificent and his wife Hürrem Sultan.
• The view: the terrace at the edge of the mosque grounds looks out over the Golden Horn, Galata and the Bosphorus.

Getting there

• Tram T1 to Eminönü; the Spice Bazaar is next to the New Mosque, by the ferry piers.
• Ferries from Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Karaköy arrive at Eminönü. See getting around Istanbul.
• On foot: the Süleymaniye Mosque is a short but steep walk uphill from the bazaar; follow the signs or the minarets.

What real travellers say

• “Less hectic than the Grand Bazaar.” Many prefer the Spice Bazaar for a first taste of an Istanbul market.
• “The most peaceful big mosque.” Visitors often say Süleymaniye was the highlight of their mosque visits.
• “Go up for the view.” The terrace behind the mosque is a favourite free viewpoint.

Summarised in our own words from travel guides and holidaymaker reviews. We don’t list prices because they change often.

Sources we checked (November 2026): istanbul.com: Spice Bazaar · istanbul.com: Süleymaniye Mosque · Istanbul Clues: Süleymaniye Mosque · Diyanet: prayer times

Spice Bazaar & Süleymaniye: questions

Header photo: the main hall of the Spice Bazaar. Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons