Eminonu Square
Eminonu Square
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: 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 neighborhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
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4,724 within 3 miles
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1,184 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
853 reviews
Excellent
423
Very good
324
Average
97
Poor
5
Terrible
5
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Jydeoo
Lagos, Nigeria2,311 contributions
Oct 2019
Eminonu, magnificent, crowded, busy, beautiful. Bordered by a grand mosque, Egyptian/Spice Bazaar, ferry loading bays, Galata Bridge, the Golden Horn, etc. I close my eyes and it all comes rushing back. The memories, the sights, the sounds, the smell of roasted corn and chestnuts. The reluctance to leave, the pull of wanting to linger and watch the sunset dancing over the sea, the Galata Tower and surrounding views. Oh Eminonu, how soon will I return to this enchanting spot!
Written June 1, 2020
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.
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 April 23, 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, FL3,421 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 September 28, 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 January 23, 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.
umutluhayat
Konya, Türkiye5,786 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
It is one of the most nostalgic and chaotic places of Istanbul. It is a very busy area. Be careful with your bags. Do not return without visiting the Egyptian Bazaar and eating fish and bread. The view from the Galata Bridge is very beautiful
Written November 18, 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.
furly75
Bangkok, Thailand5,778 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Square from which you arrive to enter the Egyptian market and the small shops that fill the characteristic streets of this area. Always full of life, at all hours you can buy everything even on rainy days. If you arrive by car with lots of traffic while with the metro just past the Bosphorus bridge, take the underpass (also the one full of shops) and you can enjoy this beautiful square with the life and beauty of the population.
Written November 12, 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, Pakistan268 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 August 5, 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, India2,148 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 June 23, 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, Italy1,911 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 November 3, 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, Switzerland5,938 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 March 7, 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.
هل كاديموي اجمل من امنيونو او امينونو اجمل باي فندق ترشحولي ان انزل فيه في اي منطقة واذا في امونو باي فندق اقيم؟
Written November 8, 2018
Sorry, I cannot read your language.
Written November 8, 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 October 20, 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 October 4, 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 October 4, 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 October 13, 2016
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