Arasta Bazaar is a charming and historic covered market located directly behind the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet, originally built in the seventeenth century to generate income for the mosque’s charitable endowment. Its stone arches, handsome vaulted passageways and traditional architecture have been carefully preserved, lending it an authenticity that larger markets cannot always match.
The bazaar is home to around forty carefully curated shops specialising in high-quality handmade goods, including hand-knotted kilims and carpets, original Iznik ceramics, traditional copper and brassware, fine jewellery and unique textile pieces. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, allowing visitors to browse at leisure and engage genuinely with the artisans and merchants.
For those seeking a more intimate and less overwhelming alternative to the Grand Bazaar, Arasta offers a delightful balance of quality, heritage and tranquillity. Its exceptional location beside the Blue Mosque also makes it a natural and convenient complement to exploring the surrounding historic monuments.