One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is a labyrinthine city within a city, with over 4,000 shops sprawling across 61 covered streets beneath magnificent painted vaulted ceilings. Since 1461, merchants have traded everything from hand-knotted carpets, intricate ceramics, and glittering gold jewelry to fragrant spices, hand-blown glass lanterns, and supple leather goods. The bazaar is organized roughly by trade — the gold district glitters under rows of dangling necklaces, while the textile lanes burst with colorful silk scarves and embroidered fabrics. Between the shopping, you will find tucked-away tea houses, tiny kebab stalls, and centuries-old hans (caravanserais) where goods were once stored during the Silk Road era.

Pro tip: Haggling is expected and part of the fun — start at about 50% of the asking price and work toward a fair middle ground, and always accept the offer of tea from shopkeepers, as it is a genuine gesture of hospitality.