Inside the incredible labyrinth-like Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Turkish shopkeepers stand in their Aladdin's cave of mystery in one of the oldest covered markets in the world.

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar hosts more than 3,000 stores and these pictures show just why more than 250,000 people visit every day.

Despite an increase in new modern shopping malls, the beauty and tradition of the Grand Bazaar continues to be a big lure.

In 2014 it was listed as the world's most visited tourist attraction, beating the 91.25m visitors who traipsed the colourful stores the previous year.

The 15th century market is famous for its hand-painted ceramics, lanterns, intricately patterned carpets and Byzantine-style jewelry.

There is a labyrinth of arcades and passageways, where it is easy to lose your sense of direction.

The market heaves with shoppers for Turkish carpets and kilims, jewellery, backgammon boards, trinkets, leather goods and mother of pearl inlaid boxes.

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