The best time in short
The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) is open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 19:00. It is closed on Sundays and on religious holidays. The most useful rule is therefore to choose a regular weekday or a Saturday outside the holiday dates below.
Individual shops can set their own hours within that frame, so 08:30 does not mean every shop is serving at that minute. Plan about 1 to 2 hours for a first walk, and more if you want to shop. If you want a guide for the first visit, compare the Grand Bazaar guided tours.
Holidays and Ramadan in 2026 and 2027
Religious holiday dates for the two years. The bazaar is closed on religious holidays.
| Date | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan begins | 19 February | 8 February |
| Eve of Ramadan Festival (Arefe) | 19 March | 8 March |
| Ramadan Festival | 20–22 March | 9–11 March |
| Eve of Sacrifice Festival (Arefe) | 26 May | 15 May |
| Sacrifice Festival | 27–30 May | 16–19 May |
The fasting month of Ramadan is not the same as the Ramadan Festival, and the bazaar is not closed for the whole month. Shorter hours or special evening openings during Ramadan are not something to count on, so check on the day. The legal holiday frame for the Ramadan Festival, counting the eve from 13:00, is 3.5 days, and for the Sacrifice Festival 4.5 days. That frame is not a promise that the bazaar closes at 13:00 on the eve. Treat the eves as short days and finish early.
National holidays fall on 1 January, 23 April, 1 May, 19 May, 15 July and 30 August, and on 29 October for Republic Day, starting at 13:00 on 28 October. Do not assume that the bazaar opens or closes on each date. For 29 October the law requires private workplaces to close, so do not count on regular shopping hours that day. For most visitors, the safest plan is a weekday outside all of these dates. For the full schedule, see the opening hours.
Our pick: a food tour for a Sunday
The bazaar is closed on Sundays, and this food tour fills the day on both sides of the Bosphorus.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Grand Bazaar tours for your dates
Guided walks, food tours and city tours with live prices and availability for the day you choose.
Weather by month
Average daily high and low and monthly rainfall for Istanbul, 1950 to 2025.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.6 | 4.2 | 88.8 |
| February | 10.2 | 4.2 | 70.7 |
| March | 12.4 | 5.5 | 62.3 |
| April | 17.4 | 9.2 | 47.8 |
| May | 22.3 | 13.6 | 32.9 |
| June | 27.1 | 18.0 | 27.6 |
| July | 29.7 | 20.5 | 22.1 |
| August | 29.7 | 20.8 | 23.9 |
| September | 25.9 | 17.6 | 39.7 |
| October | 20.6 | 13.7 | 66.3 |
| November | 16.1 | 9.9 | 78.1 |
| December | 11.8 | 6.5 | 99.2 |
These are climate averages for the city, not a forecast and not a reading from inside the bazaar. They show that spring and autumn are milder than high summer, that summer is the driest season and that winter is the wettest. For most visitors who want comfortable walking weather, April, May and September are the easiest months. As a covered market the bazaar shelters you from rain, but the walk to the gates and between sights is outdoors.
Time of day and how long to stay
Arriving early is a common tip. The opening hours alone do not show which hour is quietest or cheapest, so treat an early start as a preference, not a rule. It also gives you more daylight for the rest of the old city.
A first round takes roughly 1 to 2 hours, longer when you shop or add the neighbouring courtyards and the Spice Bazaar. The Spice Bazaar follows its own hours, so do not use the Grand Bazaar times for it. On a Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed, so use the day for other sights. For the Blue Mosque side of the old city, see the best time for the Blue Mosque.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that fit your dates.
Best time to visit the Grand Bazaar: frequently asked questions
What is the best day to visit the Grand Bazaar?
Any day from Monday to Saturday outside the religious holidays. The bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Is the Grand Bazaar open during Ramadan?
The fasting month is not a general closure. The Ramadan Festival is. In 2027 Ramadan begins on 8 February and the festival runs 9–11 March, with the eve on 8 March. Check the day before you go.
When is the Sacrifice Festival in 2026 and 2027?
In 2026 it runs 27–30 May, with the eve on 26 May. In 2027 it runs 16–19 May, with the eve on 15 May. The bazaar is closed on religious holidays.
Which month has the best weather?
Spring and autumn are milder than high summer. April and May have highs of 17.4 and 22.3 degrees, and September 25.9. July and August reach 29.7. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
How long should I plan for the Grand Bazaar?
About 1 to 2 hours for a first walk, and longer if you shop.
Is this an official Grand Bazaar website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the bazaar management, the traders' association or the city.