Exploring the Grand Bazaar (no passport required!)

Istanbul is one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever  been. My trip there in 2011 made an impression on me that will last a lifetime (and not just because Ida was conceived there ;). One of the many adventures I had was spending a few days exploring the massive (and slightly dizzying) Grand Bazaar market. Spanning 58 streets and containing over 4000 individual shops, the Grand Bazaar is truly B.A.N.A.N.A.S. So, when sisters Guney and Kuzey from Grand Bazaar Shopping, got in touch I was excited to see a company, based in Istanbul, bringing all the beautiful things I saw in Istanbul to an online shop!

Grand Bazaar Shopping partners with more than 150 local artisan families to offer everything from ceramics, to lamps, jewelry, textiles (including some gorgeous Kilim rugs and Suzanis), and even spices! I am especially into the beautiful Turkish copperware– this hand-hammered coffee set looks amazing with the other copper in our kitchen! And the hand-made terra cotta bowls? As soon as I saw those legs I had to have them!

Grand Bazaar Shopping’s blog goes beyond just featuring their products and gives great little peeks into life around the Bazaar and Istanbul, as well as insights into how the traditional products are made. Their recent post on the cats that hang out around the Bazaar killed me- cats lounging in bowls and posing for photos.

So, if you’re wishing you could add some peshtemal towels or pretty little ceramic bowls to your holiday wish list, you’ve found the place- plus Grand Bazaar Shopping ships express so that orders arrive very, very quickly. Have fun bringing a little bit of Istanbul into your part of the world!

Photos by Danae Horst for The Jungalow.
This post was created in partnership with Grand Bazaar Shopping. All opinions are my own.