the Travel Enthusiast
- 22 Mar
lizzy_a in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTSThe best markets and bazaars in the world
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, photo by mwanasimba on Flickr
If you really want to discover the heart of a city, don’t look for it in the nicely polished and renovated historical centers, sleek business and shopping districts, or even small cozy neighborhoods. More often than not, it’s enough to visit the biggest market of a particular destination to see all the things that define it.
For a traveler, markets might be a good source of souvenirs or cheap food, but they can also be attractions by themselves, showcasing the diversity and mundane bustle of a city. You don’t even need to shop to enjoy a trip to some of the best markets and bazaars in the world, even if the temptation will be hard to resist for many.
Talad Rot Fai, Bangkok, Thailand
Night markets are something of an attraction in Thailand, and will provide just as much fun as an outing to a club or bar when you don’t have anything to do in the evening. Patpong is the unight market in Bangkok, but it caters almost exclusively to tourists, and it’s not the place where you can find a slice of authentic Bangkok life.
Talad Rot Fai night market, on the other hand, is less known and attracts mainly people with a nostalgia for the past. The market specializes in everything that’s retro, from collectible model cars to Soviet pins, old records, furniture or clothes.
El Rastro, Madrid, Spain
El Rastro, photo by elsua on Flickr
This market located in one of the oldest areas of Madrid is one of the most popular markets in Spain, and for good reason. El Rastro is held every Sunday and on public holidays, and it is a dream come true for bargain hunters and even collectors of rare things.
El Rastro is essentially a flea market where you can find paintings, stamps, live animals, books, funky clothes and even live animals.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world, with several thousand shops that probably take days on end to explore. Most shops are grouped by specialty, which makes things easier to find, but you should still expect to spend a lot of time in the bazaar, because it isn’t the kind of place that is easy to leave and just ignore.
In addition to hunting for antiques, leather or jewellery (and don’t forget to bargain for them!), the bazaar is an excellent place for people watching.
Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Fish Market, photo by Greg Palmer on Flickr
Buying a huge chunk of tuna might not be on your to-do list when you’re wandering around Tokyo, but waking up early in the morning and visiting Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest fish market on the planet, is much better than it sounds.
The ‘inner’ market is where you can find wholesale vendors and where the auctions take place, while the ‘outer’ market has seafood, groceries and some of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo.
- Flights
- Hotels
- Packages
- Cars
- Cruises
travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Market Square, Helsinki, Finland
The market square in Helsinki is one of the city’s most famous tourist attractions, where you can find loads of Finnish specialties and souvenirs. Once a month the is a vintage car exhibition, and in October there is a huge herring market.
On regular days, you can feast your eyes (and taste buds) on piles of fragrant berries, fresh bread, fish and reindeer salami. Don’t forget to try the smoked reindeer sandwiches, supposedly the best in Finland!
You might also like
© Copyright 2004 - 2024 Travelgrove, Inc.