Historic markets offer the kind of atmospheric, sensory shopping experience that stores and malls so often lack. Run by locals predominantly for locals, they also offer travellers an insight into a city’s authentic culture.
An assault on the senses, and on the wallet, here are 10 of the world’s best traditional markets.
Featured image: Shilin Night Market by xmatt
Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok, Thailand
meats at Thai Barbecue stall at Chatuchak Market. Photo: jeff_leigh
Squid Eggs and other delicacies. Photo: Wendy Harman
Busy Chatuchak Weekend Market. Photo: Voyages etc…
What’s on offer: Food, crafts, Buddhist icons, antiques, electrical, DVDs, music, books, clothes, animals
Average number of vendors: 15,000
When to visit: Saturday and Sunday
Chatuchak’s 27 acres of indoor and outdoor stalls draw 200,000 people each weekend day. Most come for the astonishing array of goods, but there are a large number of vendors selling fresh food and drinks too.
From socks to exotic creatures and almost everything in between, there’s a mind boggling variety of things for sale along Chatuchak’s crowded and hot walkways.
Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) – Istanbul, Turkey
Grand Bazaar Istanbul. Photo: exfordy
Spices on sale at the Grand Bazaar. Photo: simononly
Turkish Delight on sale at the Grand Bazaar. Photo: simononly
What’s on offer: Carpets, rugs, lanterns, jewellery, ceramics, clothes, fabrics, leathers, spices
Average number of vendors: 3,000
When to visit: Monday to Saturday
Traders and shoppers have been haggling in this corner of Istanbul for well over 500 years. Narrow, noisy, enclosed and packed full of people, this extraordinary labyrinth has a manic feel about it. Be prepared to bargain, and bargain hard.
La Boqueria (Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria) – Barcelona, Spain
Mercat de la Boqueria. Photo: katherineprice
Souvenirs on sale at Mercat de la Boqueria. Photo: Voyages etc…
Fruit on sale. Photo: Oh-Barcelona.com
What’s on offer: fresh fruits, fish, meat, bread and other food ingredients
Average number of vendors: 200
When to visit: Monday to Saturday
La Boqueria is an atmospheric, ornate steel hangar just off La Rambla. In terms of sight and smell, this is hands down Barcelona’s most spectacular food market.
Souks of Marrakesh – Marrakesh, Morocco
Souk in Marrakesh, Morocco. Photo: plusgood
Carpets and spices on sale in Marrakesh. Photo: plusgood
Sandals on sale. Photo: markhillary
What’s on offer: Carpets, textiles, spices, sandals, kaftans, jewellery, leather bags, dried fruit and nuts.
Average number of vendors: Hundreds
When to visit: Any day
Marrakesh’s image is closely tied with its narrow interconnected alleyways lined with a dizzying array of vendors ranging in size from tiny kiosks to expansive caverns.
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen – Paris, France
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. Photo: jafsegal
Browsing the Paris flea market. Photo: ParisSharing
China and other covetables. Photo: anka @ happyhangaround
What’s on offer: Antiques, paintings, statues, furniture, vintage clothes, bags, ceramics
Average number of vendors: 2,500
When to visit: Saturday to Monday
This is one of the world’s largest and most interesting collections of antiques and second-hand items.
Those who diligently peruse this treasure trove of unique, previously owned curiosities, are typically rewarded with authentic and affordable one-of-a-kind finds.
Chandni Chowk – Delhi, India
Fruit for sale at Chandni Chowk. Photo: dinudey
Chai time. Photo: Meanest Indian
Birds for sale at Chandni Chowk. Photo: Liz Highleyman
What’s on offer: Sweets, books, clothing, shoes, leather goods, electronic goods
Average number of vendors: Over 2,500
When to visit: Any day
Located in the heart of Old Delhi (a short walk from the Red Fort), Chandni Chowk is one of the busiest markets in India – putting it right up there with the most intense in all the world to visit. If you can think of it, it’s probably on sale somewhere along this street.
Shilin Night Market – Taipei, Taiwan
Shilin Night Market. Photo: LWY
Photo: Eduardo M. C.
Photo: beggs
What’s on offer: Oyster vermicelli, fried chicken, tempura, stinky tofu
Average number of vendors: Over 500
When to visit: Any night between 8pm and 2am
The largest of Taipei’s famous night markets, Shilin Night Market is best known for its gigantic food court. Here, independent cooks serve up local specialities to their devoted regulars. The side alleys surrounding the food court are packed with cinemas, video arcades and karaoke dens.
Flower Market Road – Hong Kong
Photo: Cheung Fun
Photo: Cheung Fun
Photo: Cheung Fun
What’s on offer: Flowers, plants, floral arrangements
Average number of vendors: Well over 100
When to visit: Any day
Flower Market Road is arguably Hong Kong’s most picturesque market. The street is lined with thousands of flower varieties – real and fake – from all over the world. The riot of colour is a spectacle, even by Hong Kong’s standards.
Ver-o-Peso – Belém, Brazil
Ver-o-Peso. Photo: rictulio
Photo: claudiocareca_cba
Photo: rictulio
What’s on offer: Seafood, fish, vegetables
Average number of vendors: 2,000
When to visit: Morning, any day
This neo-gothic market building beside Belém’s docks houses rows and rows of fishmongers selling the morning’s Amazonian catch. It’s also home to stalls selling exotic fruits that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in the world.
St. Lawrence – Toronto, Canada
Photo: Payton Chung
Four varieties of peppers. Photo: Glen MacLarty
Sausage wrapping. Photo: GanMed64
What’s on offer: Locally sourced foods, artisan jewellery and clothing, flowers, baked goods
Average number of vendors: 120
When to visit: Tuesday to Saturday (Saturday farmer’s market; Sunday antiques)
Opened in 1803, St. Lawrence has retail pedigree. Saturday’s farmer’s market is the best day to visit.
