Egyptian Spice Market
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Place to Shop,
Bazaar,
Market
Egyptian Spice Market Reviews
We've found 45 Egyptian Spice Market reviews from Viator.com travelers and members: what they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved. It's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Review by Jacklyn G, March 2013
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
A very nice day out with Omar as our guide, very enjoyable cruise, and time to shop in the spice market! Thanks again, Omar!
Review by Glorylyn A, USA, December 2011
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
This was a great tour with wonderful photo opps. Views and history along the Bosphorus are incredible and I think it's definitely a must see tour. Spice Bazaar is awesome, not as daunting as the Grand Bazaar. Shopping there is worth spending a full day. Our guide Serhat was very friendly and ccourteous and after the tour ended, he helped us with directions and recommendations for other things to do around Istanbul. Highly recommended~!
Review by Anonymous, July 2010
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
The tour was excellent. The bus showed up on time and the cruise down the Bosphorus was excellent. We enjoyed looking at the beautiful houses on the shoreline. The trip to the Egyptian Bazaar could have been a little longer but we were able to buy a number of items and even haggle over the prices with some of the merchants. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.
Review by Anonymous, February 2010
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
The cruise was fabulous. We spent a very short time at the Egyptian bazaar. It looked interesting would liked to have stayed just a little bit longer. Return journey back to the hotel was painful. We were virtually the last to be dropped and there were a lot of people on the trip it took forever because the hotels were in the north and south parts of Istanbul. After the tour it would have been easier to drop us first as we were in the Sultanemat area but no they went to Taxim first and then we got caught in the traffic. After the tour finished the journey back was almost 2 hours. So this spoilt the tour.
Review by Lemiel P, USA, January 2010
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
Great views on the cruise and I loved shopping at the Egyptian Bazaar!
Review by Raymond G, Philippines, December 2009
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
We were supposed to have the cruise in the morning, but due to bad weather our flight was delayed, but the local tour operator was gracious enough to postpone it in the afternoon. The cruise was awesome and we were treated to an afternoon delight of culture, history and nature. The cruise is one of the best ways to see Istanbul. Furthermore, the spice bazaar is to die for. I bought a lot of spices and samples of the local tea. The guide was very knowledgeable and very courteous.
Review by AMADOR V, USA, August 2008
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
If you do only one thing in Istanbul -- do this tour! The Bosphorus cruise is great, incredible views of Istanbul. The Egyptian Bazaar is a wonderful experience.
Review by Kevin M, USA, December 2007
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
On a sunny day, the cruise is wonderful. It seemed like it was 2 hours and covered a lot of the palaces, bridges, mosques and other important monuments you pass by. The spice market was great! A pointer: The tour brings you to one stall, and items are explained, e.g., Turkish delight and spices like saffron, and Turkish tea is served. Go to another stall and compare the prices!!! Prices are cheaper further down.
Review by zingasm, April 2013
Doing what: Istanbul Tour with Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace
We booked this two days ahead while already in Istanbul to fill up an otherwise open Monday. When we found out that Dolmabahce Palace was closed on Monday, we contacted Viator and were able to change it Sunday instead - Thanks. Note to Viator, don't sell this tour on Mon/Thur when the Palace is closed.
Here is your day:
Pickup in shuttle van in the morning. Taken to muster point where a number of tours then reassemble and depart on two decker tour buses (open upstairs).
First stop is the spice bazaar. You're given about 45mins to stroll around. Once you've been in the first shop or two, it's more of the same.
Next up is the 90 min Bosphorus cruise. Hopefully you'll have a fine day where you can enjoy the terrific sightseeing up one side and down the other. The boat was clean, open and offered great views.
After that, you're taken to a "leather demonstration". This is no more than a cheesy leather jacket fashion show, after which, you're hustled to their showroom where 50% discounts off inflated prices are offered. We chose to sit outside in the sun instead.
Conveniently, the lunch restaurant is next door. Lunch is simple and everyone else in the restaurant is doing exactly what you are - taking a break from their tour.
After lunch is the Palace. This is truly a highlight of the day (along with the cruise) as you gaze in awe at the amazing splendor that rivals anything in the world.
When you reassemble after some free time in the palace gardens, it's off to a trip over the Bosphorus Bridge, then on to a snack restaurant that overlooks back to the European side. There were no available tables or chairs for our tour, so everyone just milled around for 45 mins.
You are then dropped back at your hotel around 6p.
This is a good way to do both the cruise and the palace, along with some guided narration. The leather demonstration was meaningless and if you don't want to make the trip to the Asian side, you can always leave the tour after the palace.
Review by Dawn S, March 2013
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
Our tour guide, Omar was very knowledgeable. The boat ride was very nice and relaxing. I wish we had more time at the spice market.
Review by Patricia M, March 2013
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
Omar was our guide again and we had a great time.. Spice Market very different and more relaxed.. The boat tour fun and informative to see the Asia side!
Review by Sa M, November 2012
Doing what: Private Tour: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
It was exccellent except that we couldn't visit the Egyptian Bazaar I don't know why maybe our guide was in a hurry
Review by Trisha, September 2012
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
The cruise was a nice relaxing way to spend an afternoon. It gives you a nice view into a different area of Istanbul with some interesting things along the way. Unfortunately the day we took this tour, the Spice Bazaar was closed.
Review by Sylvia G, July 2012
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
we were picked up from our hotel and transported to another bus were we were taken to the spice market and the Bosphorus cruise, both was a very good experience.
Review by Ruqiyabi A, June 2012
Doing what: Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
egyptian market great - bosphorous cruise...not really exciting - not that much of a historical focus on the boat ...nice way to spend an afternoon
