If you really want to get to know a destination, few places are better than the local market. You’ll experience the living, breathing reality of a spot, whether rubbing elbows with families buying groceries for the week or chatting with vendors about the items up for sale. Though just about every region has a market of some kind, there are some that stand out for visitors and locals alike.
We’ve got the low-down on five favorites on four continents. Thanks to these great Creative Commons photographers for these shots!
Night Bazaar | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Lather up with soap made-to-order at the Night Bazaar (Photo by bernardoh)
From intricate hill-tribe artwork to a fake Rolex and DVD knock-offs, the selection at this famed market in northern Thailand hovers between cultural tradition and modern demand. Late afternoon and into the evening, vendors line the streets between Th Tha Phae & Th Si Donchai, while visitors comb the merchandise in search of designers (real or fake) and discounts. Chiang Mai has a reputation for producing some of the most impressive handicrafts in the country, so chances are you’ll score an impressive souvenir or two. Plus, it’s cheaper shopping here than southerly Bangkok (where the cost of living jumps).
Go the typical tourist route and dress in Thai costume for your own marketside photoshoot. An opium scale or metal Buddah makes a great conversation piece. Artwork from hill tribes is one-of-a-kind.
Tip: Get ready to haggle! Vendors will expect you to bargain, but don’t be rude. Be nice but have a backbone and you can score some good deals.
Portobello Road | London, UK
'Anything and everything a chap can unload...' (Photo by garryknight)
From an Art Nouveau cabinet to sixties mod dresses, you’ll quickly understand why Portobello is the “street where the riches of ages are stowed,” as they sung in Bedknobs & Broomsticks. Start in the antiques section between Chepstow Villas and Elgin Cresent, before making your way through the fruits & veggies, and emerging amongst vintage and new fashion from Talbot Road to the Westway. Head a little further and you’ll find the second-hand section of the market, where tourists typically don’t make it but fashionistas might find it’s worth the walk. Do a little digging – you never know when you’ll come across some killer vintage designs.
Nearby in Notting Hill you’ll discover trendy restaurants, galleries, and shops, plus you’re in proximity to famed Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Tip: Indoor antique shops are open 6 days a week and serious antiquers should visit weekdays when it’s less cramped and crowded. On Saturday, show up by 9am if you’re looking to score a gem; by 10 it’s packed with both Londoners and tourists. The market is closed on Sunday.
Queen Victoria Market | Melbourne, Australia
Mouths are watering in the deli hall at this Melbourne institution (Photo by avlxyz)
With a 130 year history in Melbourne, Queen Victoria Market is a cultural staple. Block after block is filled with food, fashion and other finds. Hook up with a market tour to get your bearings or simply head out exploring. Hopefully your boots were made for walking – this is one of the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere. If they weren’t, chances are you’ll find a new pair somewhere amid the 1000+ vendors.
Don’t forget to pick up fresh produce, fish and meat to cook up an authentic Aussie dinner on the bar-bee. There’s even an all-organic section in the middle of the market to ensure you avoid pesticides and chemicals.
Tip: The market is only open during the morning and afternoon a few days a week. Check the schedule before heading off to shop.
Djemaa El Fna & Souks | Marrakech, Morocco
Sunsets and scents rise over Djemaa El Fna (Photo by Michael.Camilleri)
Though it literally means “Square of the Dead”, the action in modern-day Jemaa El Fna is it anything but. Earning it’s name from the public executions once held here, nowadays it’s a hub of cultural activity; the place where anything goes. Snake charmers, storytellers and scribes are regular sites, alongside dentists to pull teeth and herbalists to cure what ails you. When evening rolls around, open-kitchen booths and long tables are set up, creating one of the largest outdoor eateries in the world and filling the square with irresistible scents. Costumed acrobats, magicians, gnawa musicians and modern transvestite dancers fill the square, entertaining both locals and tourists alike. But don’t be fooled – these aren’t stage shows! Everything here is the real deal.
Souks are a quintessential Moroccan experience – and a must while you’re in Marrakesh. Wander the labyrinth of sights, sounds, and smells. Get lost in the rows of shops and barter your way through. It’s a magical experience you won’t soon forget.
Tip: Stand firm with shopkeepers! Sellers in the souks can make a used car sales person seem like a kindergarten teacher. Show the slightest interest and they’re all over you.
Treats & Antiques | L’Isle sur la Sorgue, France
Cheese, please! (Photo by jurvetson)
More than a simple Sunday tradition, the markets in L’Isle sur la Sorgue are a way of life. Week after week, stalls pop up selling Provençal treats and treasures. Winding through the streets and along the canal, vendors overtake the town selling herbs, meats, cheeses, and lots of seasonal produce. Let culinary inspiration overtake you as you plan your dinner menu, or grab some baguette and cheese for a picnic in Parc Gauthier. Looking for antiques? Check out the “city” side of town on Sundays.
Tip: Sundays are crazy busy in L’Isle sur la Sorgue. Instead of driving right into town, park in the lot by the train bridge (it’s free!) and walk a couple minutes into town.
Posted February 8, 2012 by Lindsay Johnston | Print This!