Balat Bazaar

Balat, one of the most enigmatic and popular districts of Istanbul, stands out with its bazaar, which reflects the texture of the district in the best way. Known as the Balat Bazaar among the locals, this place is the center of attention for photography lovers rather than shopping enthusiasts.

Balat Bazaar started to become popular after the establishment of shops in the region that turned into a district with the settlement of Jews trying to get rid of the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. It would be wrong to think that Leblebiciler Street is the most popular spot of Balat Bazaar, where almost everything is deceived in the name of the street where everything is old-fashioned and that there are only roasted chickpeas in it. So much so that it is possible to find everything you are looking for in the street where there is a pharmacy, tailor, butcher, candy store, shoe repair shop, bakery and more.

In this sense, it is of great importance to visit the shops of these artisans in the Balat Bazaar Leblebiciler Street, where we have forgotten even the name, where the old crafts are still being performed and all these are carried out with great difficulties. Balat Bazaar is a place where you can spend a whole day with pleasure, with colorful shops and materials, and every frame looks beautiful and eccentric as if it were a fairy tale.

You can get away from the cosmopolitan life and literally be teleported to the old streets of Istanbul in an instant by entering the back streets of the Balat Bazaar, where you can see the colorful old houses with bay windows, which are generally two or three floors, and photograph the ones you like.