Istanbul's Grand Bazaar: This venerable marketplace is more than 500 years old and spreads out over 48,000 square meters (around 516,700 square feet). Arif Hudaverdi Yaman/Anadolu/Getty Images.

The Grand Bazaar is made up of a series of bedestens– commercial complexes of related shops. Sandal Bedesteni, one of the oldest, dates from the late 15th century.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the most bustling spots in one of the world’s greatest, busiest cities. Close to 50 million people pass through the 21 gates of the venerable marketplace each ...

Rick Steves’ Europe: Istanbul’s old soul lives on in the Grand Bazaar. But high rents may force out shops and workshops and turn the bazaar into a shopping mall for tourists.