The Grand Bazaar is a covered market of roughly four thousand shops on sixty-one streets, in continuous operation since 1461. It sits about twelve minutes on foot from the hotel, mostly along the tram line.
Orientation. There are more than twenty gates; the Nuruosmaniye Gate on the east side is the least crowded and the easiest to find again. Trades are grouped by area — gold, carpets, leather, ceramics — so once you know which quarter you want, navigation gets simpler.
Opening hours are 09:00 to 19:00, closed Sundays and public holidays. Most shops take cards, but cash gives you more room in a negotiation. ATMs and toilets are inside, and there are several cafes in the older halls.
Allow at least two hours if you intend to buy something rather than just walk through.