Eminonu Square
Eminonu Square
4.5
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Top ways to experience Eminonu Square
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighbourhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
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4,909 within 3 miles
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1,160 within 6 miles
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4.5
853 reviews
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324
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97
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5
Hannah M
Tulsa3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We went to Istanbul during Bayram/Eid, which is the celebration at the end of Ramadan and I think the whole of Turkey was there! It was absolutely jam packed but there was so much to see and do and we felt 100% safe the whole time. It’s like the Times Square of Turkey, times 10!
It was a new experience for us not to queue for attractions and transportation and we quickly learned to muscle in with the locals. Just push!
You could easily spend far longer than the 5 days we spent in Istanbul, much of it centered around Eminonu Square, and not see everything. Prepare for colors, sounds, and sights!
It was a new experience for us not to queue for attractions and transportation and we quickly learned to muscle in with the locals. Just push!
You could easily spend far longer than the 5 days we spent in Istanbul, much of it centered around Eminonu Square, and not see everything. Prepare for colors, sounds, and sights!
Written 23 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaybeeFL
Palm Harbor, FL3,365 contributions
Aug 2022
Huge Square adjacent to Spice Bazaar, New Mosque (Yeni Camli), ferry and tour boat piers, and easy access to Sultanhamet. It is always bustling with activity and there are plenty of restaurants and shops surrounding the square. No tour of old Istanbul is complete without transiting through this square at least once if not more often on your way to key sites in the area.
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shovkat
Tashkent, Uzbekistan17 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
it's crowded there and you can buy semit, balik ekmek (delicious). Also ride a ferry.
Ferry ride is about 2 hrs. So if you wanna see the sea during the dau and night, get a ferry 1 hour before sunset. In this way you'll be lucky to see the sea while the day is bright and dark with bridge lights. Get some bread/cemit so that you can give it to birds while you are on the ferry. It's amazing experience. They'll run after the ferry for the bread. Try it for sure.
Ferry ride is about 2 hrs. So if you wanna see the sea during the dau and night, get a ferry 1 hour before sunset. In this way you'll be lucky to see the sea while the day is bright and dark with bridge lights. Get some bread/cemit so that you can give it to birds while you are on the ferry. It's amazing experience. They'll run after the ferry for the bread. Try it for sure.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamran Tariq
Peshawar, Pakistan267 contributions
Jul 2022
Eminonu, one of the touristic spot and historic place. Tram station is nearby. Buses and taxis all around. Eatery shops and cafes can be found here. Egypt spice Bazaar and Eminonu Market are worth visiting for shopping. Souvenirs and other stuff can be purchased in a reasonable price. A must visit place to spend time. The best way to reach here is to take Tram(either from Sultan Ahmet area or from Taksim). There is a mini market in underpass too.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deejay90210
New Delhi, India2,132 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Like a city square. Beautiful river views, with a backdrop of a mosque and a famous bridge. Many food cards and boat piers add to the atmosphere. Great place to view the Sunrise too.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veciaf53
Reggio Emilia, Italy1,912 contributions
Oct 2019
Large esplanade overlooking Golden Horn, right at the Galata Bridge entrance.
It is bounded by the Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar), the New Mosque (Yeni Valide Camii, being restored), numerous cafes, pastry and souvenir shops and the complex of Rustem Pasha Camii.
It is worth taking a stroll around the mosque on Hamidiye Caddesi: surrounded on two sides by the spice market there is a small square with a lot of flower, bulb, seed, feed (and leech) vendors. Under the trees there is a small monument to simit bakers (donut-shaped bread with sesame seeds on the crust).
As a point of access to the bridge, its view of the Corno d 'Oro and the Beyolu district, the buildings that surround it, as a hub for various means of transport (including the surface metro T1 and the pier of boarding of various ferries), and finally for its vibrant atmosphere the square is a focal point of the city.
It is bounded by the Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar), the New Mosque (Yeni Valide Camii, being restored), numerous cafes, pastry and souvenir shops and the complex of Rustem Pasha Camii.
It is worth taking a stroll around the mosque on Hamidiye Caddesi: surrounded on two sides by the spice market there is a small square with a lot of flower, bulb, seed, feed (and leech) vendors. Under the trees there is a small monument to simit bakers (donut-shaped bread with sesame seeds on the crust).
As a point of access to the bridge, its view of the Corno d 'Oro and the Beyolu district, the buildings that surround it, as a hub for various means of transport (including the surface metro T1 and the pier of boarding of various ferries), and finally for its vibrant atmosphere the square is a focal point of the city.
Written 3 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rapha_y_nici
Zurich, Switzerland5,948 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Great place to get everywhere.. boat, tram, or also the Marmaray metro from Sirkeci station.. also the views over the water along the unique Galata bridge or towards the Sulemanyie mosque are just magnificent! It’s almost impossible to miss the area, also nice pedestrian passage from the tram station towards Hagia Sophia. Great area!
Written 7 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ghanim A
Kuwait City, Kuwait211,926 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Eminonu Square at the water front of piers
nice centered the
sea side and
the and Egyptian
bazaar for spice
nice centered the
sea side and
the and Egyptian
bazaar for spice
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Narminsb
Oslo, Norway401 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
We wanted to take one the feries to see the istanbul sea outside,s o we went to Eminonu, where you get the feries, boats and so on. This place is like the harbour kinda of places in Istanbul. You can take the tram/metro and there´s a station located right next to.
Since we arrived early we wanted to go visit the mosque as well, which was worth it.
But the shopping, indoor bazar, right next to mosque was also a lovely places. We shopped some dried fruits, a silver greenstone armband, some dried tealeaves and some more other seasoning stuff.
It´s worth the visit overall.
Since we arrived early we wanted to go visit the mosque as well, which was worth it.
But the shopping, indoor bazar, right next to mosque was also a lovely places. We shopped some dried fruits, a silver greenstone armband, some dried tealeaves and some more other seasoning stuff.
It´s worth the visit overall.
Written 23 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CorneliusfudgeGM
Stockport, UK1,503 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Let me start by saying how much I loved Istanbul and Eminonu Square is at the heart of the city where you can take in the Bosphorus and the boats selling the fish sandwiches, the Spice Bazaar and an interesting Mosque. But this is the review where i comment on the dubious trade of the Istanbul taxi drivers. Many rank up here at Eminonu Square and my experience was that the majority play the same game with tourists. They will only use the meter if they think the traffic is heavy. if not they will come up with any story to get a fixed fare which is well in excess of what you should be paying. One journey with a decent driver cost 8TL. The second day one driver refused the journey if i didn't pay 35TL. i got out and negotiated 20TL with a second driver. Judge for yourself. And note that the Turkish authorities do nothing to curb the practice.
Written 17 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
هل كاديموي اجمل من امنيونو او امينونو اجمل باي فندق ترشحولي ان انزل فيه في اي منطقة واذا في امونو باي فندق اقيم؟
Written 8 November 2018
Sorry, I cannot read your language.
Written 8 November 2018
Nice open place. Walked under Galata bridge. Nice view of the golden horn. Had stomach upset after eating fish from a boat! Otherwise a nice place. Will definitely visit next time. Emminonu tram stop is very close. Hamdi restaurant is near.
Written 20 October 2016
Merhaba arkadaşlar bu Eminönünde tramvaydan inince isiklardan karşıya gecince bir restoran var adı neydi onun bilen varmı. Kahvalti da servis ediliyor dışarı da masaları var
Written 4 October 2016
Hey guys,
I am planning on visiting Istanbul in the next few weeks, but particularly after fabrics. I am not sure where to go in Istanbul, does anyone have any idea where he best reasonable taiolrs/fabric sellers are please?
Written 4 October 2016
hello
as the members before me correctly guided you, I would prefer you go after the shops within the vicinity of GRAND BAZAR, and use your bargaining skills, because they will tend to hike up the prices when they see that you are a foreigner
Written 13 October 2016
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