I went to Istanbul for the first time this February. One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting the famed spice market. It’s an incredible sensory overload–upon entering, you are assaulted with so many rich aromas and bright colors. The merchants (my favorite people) would approach you with scoops of herbs, spices, and teas, shoving them to your nose for a sniff. They also sold Turkish delights, my beloved baklava, dried fruits, honey, olive oil soap, henna, and all other kinds of interesting foods, lotions, and potions.
Here are some of my favorite pictures I took at the market.
Want to learn how to be a great travel photographer? I’m definitely still working on it. Flightster has some great tips for travel photography.
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so awesome! i love seeing pics of far away places that i have been too! on a side note, did you see the market outside of the spice market where they were selling dogfood? that’s where we eneded up first and i was thinking wow….these spices here in turkey look slighly…different.
Thanks, Claire! Haha, no, I didn’t see the dog food–how funny! I would have been confused if I saw that first, too
Lovely photos! There’s something about buying spices in bulk at a market like this that appeals more than buying a little plastic shaker bottle at the supermarket.
The Spice Market is a wonder to behold! I liked it much more than the Grand Bazaar. It’s smaller, more accessible, and somehow less touristy. I gained about 10 lbs in one week in Istanbul by eating Turkish delights nonstop. Totally worth it!
Wow what colors! Markets in different countries can be fantastic places to visit! You never quite know what you’ll find!
And now I want some baklava! ;P
While the colors are phenomenal, I sit here and try to imagine what that smells like. This looks amazing Emily! I have had so many people tell me that Istanbul is a magical place and that we should visit.
Oh, this looks amazing! I’m going to Istanbul next Tuesday. I might hit you up for some ideas. Great photos — I am so excited!!
How I miss the smell of Turkish markets!!
Thanks for the link to my Flightster post. Istanbul has got to be one of my favorite cities. And the spice market? Goodness. The most ambrosial place I’ve ever been.
Best of luck in the contest.
Alan