Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, begun in 1461. Its roughly 60 vaulted streets hold around 4,000 shops selling carpets, kilims, jewellery, gold, ceramics, lamps, leather, textiles and spices. Shops of the same trade are grouped together. Getting lost is part of the fun.

Haggle for everything, especially carpets: start well below the first price and be ready to walk away. Shops can arrange shipping overseas for larger items like carpets, at a set price. Take a break in one of the old tea houses or the han (caravanserai) courtyards hidden around the edges.

It's open Monday to Saturday from about 9 am to 7 pm and closed on Sundays and religious holidays. Walk down through the shopping streets to the Spice Bazaar near the Golden Horn.