Africa Addis Merkato, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia This merkato is said to be one of the largest in Africa and offers a wide range of products. Steer clear of the livestock and computers on your search for traditional Harer baskets, gold jewelry, and bright handwoven textiles.
Adjegounle Market, Porto Novo, Benin Located in the suburbs of Porto-Novo, the Adjegounle Market is the place to go in Benin to purchase local arts and crafts. Look for the traditional bronze sculptures, as well as wood carvings and textiles.
Khan el Khalili Bazaar, Cairo, Egypt This market is already on the tourist track thanks to its history as a major spice-trade hub, but it's the best place for shopping in Cairo. Purchase jewelry, Egyptian silver, oils, water pipes, lanterns, and glass objects.
Makola Market, Accra, Ghana Makola, one of Ghana's most famous markets, bustles with Ghanaians picking up fresh produce, pots and pans, and tools. You can also buy kente cloth, the traditional brightly colored textile woven on a loom in strips.
Manzini Market, Manzini, Swaziland Manzini, the commercial center of Swaziland, boasts a city market where locals go to buy produce, medicinal herbs, textiles, warrior gear, and more. Thursday is the best day to look for handicrafts, such as the colorful sisal baskets made by Swazi women.
Marrakech Bazaar, Marrakech, Morocco Wind your way through the suqs of the Marrakech Bazaar to find a variety of goods. Each suq has its own specialty, but your best bets are the stalls selling leather goods, rugs, and spices. There's even a love potions booth. Mwenge Market, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Take the daladala to Mwenge, a suburb of Dar es Salaam, and arrive at one of Tanzania's top craft markets. Wood-carved bowls, tables, and more are available in this market, as well as the traditional Makonde figurine carvings. Ngwenya Glass Village, Swaziland Take a day trip from Johannesburg to the Ngwenya Glass Village, where you can watch locals demonstrate the art of glassblowing. Browse through the 12 village shops and buy gifts of handmade recycled glassware in the form of bowls, vases, and even lampshades.
Asia Arts and Crafts Vernissage and Painters Vernissage, Yerevan, Armenia These two markets on opposite sides of the capital city come to life on weekends when local artists and merchants sell their woodwork, jewelry, ceramics, carpets, paintings, and photography. Opened in the 1970s as a place for painters to display and sell their works, the vernissages have now expanded to include all national crafts.
Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India While you can find almost anything under the sun in Chandni Chowk, venture into some of the smaller stalls and markets on the side streets to find more authentic saris, leather goods, beads, ribbons, and silver. The huge parking lot at Gandhi Ground fills up by noon, so if driving be sure to arrive in the morning. Closed Sundays. Ekamra Haat, Bhubaneshwar, India Indoor Ekamra Haat features booths and stalls offering all types of traditional crafts native to Orissa state. Locals come daily to peddle their hand-loomed and handcrafted wares.
Jade Market, Yau Ma Tei District, Hong Kong At least 450 stalls hawk the stone that Confucius likened to virtue in the sixth century B.C. But unless you can tell the difference between the softer nephrite and harder jadeite, it's best to stick with the inexpensive pieces. Mangaldas Market, Mumbai, India Situated near the famous Crawford Market, which is home to fruit, vegetable, and poultry sellers, Mangaldas Market specializes in fabrics, notably silk saris, and raw cotton.
Namdaemun Market, Seoul, Republic of Korea (South Korea) Primarily a local meat and produce market, Namdaemun is conveniently located near the Central Post Office and also offers a variety of local crafts and goods such as clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, pottery, and baskets. The market is closed on Sundays. Oriental Bazaar, Tokyo, Japan All traditional Japanese handicrafts are available at this four-story market. This market is open every day but Thursday. Make the trip to find authentic kimonos, chopsticks, painted screens, pottery, dolls, and antiques.
Oriental Market, Baku, Azerbaijan Located inside a beautiful, Oriental-style building, this market sells fruits, vegetables, and clothing items such as the traditional national footwear. Shop for local handicrafts, silk, and kerchiefs.
Panjiayuan Weekend Market, Beijing, China This massive indoor weekend market sells everything from jade, scroll paintings, and teapots to furniture and porcelain. In addition to the main market, shoppers can look for gifts in the Antiques (open every day) and Arts and Crafts Warehouse (open weekends) Zones.
Panjshanbe Bazaar, Khujand, Tajikistan The name of the market stands for the day on which it was originally held, Thursday. Now this daily market is the biggest in Tajikistan, located in the heart of the Ferghana Valley, and it sells jewelry, fabric, and colorful Tajik handicrafts.
Sapa Market, Sapa, Vietnam Every Saturday night, H'Mong and Red Dzao minority tribes meet at this market to exchange handicrafts such as blankets and traditional clothing. Shop while listening to the young locals play panpipes and mouth organs. Tanah Abang Textile Market, Jakarta, Indonesia The largest textile market in Southeast Asia is located in the Tanah Abang district of Jakarta and has been in operation since 1735—though first as an animal market. Shop for clothes, fabrics, carpets, and draperies in the three-story building or at any of the hundreds of surrounding street vendors.
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Mong Kok District, Hong Kong Hundreds of birds are for sale as are elaborate teak and bamboo cages, accessories, and bird food. Located nearby is the Mong Kok District's flower market. Both markets are open daily and busiest on weekends.
Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, Shanghai, China Surrounding an ancient Chinese garden, this massive daily bazaar sells silk, slippers, calligraphy paintings, pottery, ceramics, wood items, and traditional Chinese costumes.
Old Apia Market, Apia, Samoa Watch artisans as they make handicrafts and mats in this 24-hour marketplace. Stalls are so prestigious in this central city market that family members will often camp out all night to hold on to a spot. Try panikeki, a deep-fried pancake made with banana or pineapple.
Otara Market, Auckland, New Zealand Perhaps the largest Polynesian market in the world, Otara Market provides everything from traditional tapa cloth, paua-shell jewelry, greenstone, and bone carvings to exotic foods and multicultural music. Open on Saturdays.
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia With more than 1,000 traders and spanning 17 acres (7 hectares), the Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you're looking for your weekly produce, attending a cooking class, tasting wines, or shopping for Aboriginal art and didgeridoos, this 129-year-old market has it all. Open every day except Monday, Wednesday, and major holidays.
Paddington Bazaar, Sydney, Australia Located in the hip suburb Paddington, this Saturday flea market sells clothing, jewelry, and arts and crafts. Beware of buying Aboriginal art here, though. Much Aboriginal artwork sold in the cities is imitation. Open Saturdays.
Vanuatu Marketplace, Port Vila, Vanuatu Visit this waterfront market to buy local produce, flowers, shells, bracelets, clothing, and artifacts. Prices are fixed, so don't expect to bargain. Most merchants come on Saturdays, making it the best day for shopping. Closed Sunday.
Europe Antiguo Mercadillo Alameda, Seville, Spain This is a popular Sunday market held on Seville's Isla de la Cartuja in the Guadalquivir. Visitors can barter for Spanish dolls, produce, flowers, and antiques. Pick up a pair of used flamenco shoes to wear at one of the town's many flamenco bars.
Antique Market, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is known as the Venice of Provence for its setting along the River Sorgue, and the town's market is reputed to be among the best for antiques in France. Visit the Sunday market for pottery, rugs, jewelry, as well as the herbs, flowers, cheeses, and other goods endemic to the region.
Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam, Netherlands Holland is famous for its springtime blooms, and this floating market is the place to pick up tulips and daffodils. Stalls float on houseboats and sell fresh-cut flowers, as well as bulbs that are ready for export. Closed Sunday. Charter Market, Salisbury, England Salisbury is known as a market town, and the Charter Market its major retail market held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Browse the textiles, wooden furniture, and kitchenware of the 90 retail booths and then pick up some fresh produce from the market's ten farmers' stalls. Izmaylovo (Vernisazh) Market, Moscow, Russia Have your pick of matrioshka nesting dolls at the Vernisazh crafts market in downtown Moscow, where you can also find handmade shawls, scarves, and wooden toys. This weekend market is known as the place to go for trinkets from the Soviet era. Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, Paris, France This market, considered to be one of the largest for antiques in the world, is composed of 15 separate markets. Try the tiny Rosiers Market to find glass, bronze, and artwork in the art deco and art nouveau styles. Also visit the more than 300 stalls that comprise the Vernaison Market. Piazza Trinità Market, Mascalucia, Italy This small Sicilian town holds its market on the second weekend of every month, next to a 19th-century church. Make a stop here for colorful ceramic molds, traditional Sicilian puppets, and hand-painted carts.
Piraeus Market, Piraeus, Greece Avoid the tourist trap Plaka and take the Athens metro to Piraeus for its smaller Sunday flea market. Look for antique Mytilíni mirrors, Thracian wedding gowns, silver, or a string of koboloi (worry beads) amongst the locals of this port neighboring the capital city. Waterloo Market, Waterloo, Belgium Waterloo is not only the site of Napoleon's defeat, but also one of the most interesting markets in Belgium. Held in the expansive parking lot of a grocery store on Sunday mornings, the Waterloo Market is a treasure trove of antique furniture, paintings, books, and beer glasses—in honor of one of Belgium's best products.
Beypazari Street Market, Beypazari, Turkey A traditional central Anatolian town, Beypazari is famous among Turks for its silver filigree work, Turkish delights, and fabric, but is virtually unknown among foreign tourists. Shop the main street market to buy various items from the artisans themselves.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey Perhaps the most famous of all the world's markets, this massive complex of shops and stalls sell carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, leather goods, pipes, and alabaster. Don't forget to bargain and don't be afraid to walk away if you think the price is too high. Closed on Sundays.
Manama Suq, Manama, Bahrain As in most Middle Eastern suqs, bargaining is expected for goods from jars of spices to gold jewelry to small pieces of furniture. Also look for traditional Bahraini garb such as the thobes (ankle-length gowns) men wear as part of the national dress.
Matrah Suq, Muscat, Oman Considered one of the most authentic suqs in Arabia, this Arab marketplace is a must-see. Located about two miles (three kilometers) from Old Muscat, the suq is divided into various sectors selling different types of products. Shop for fabrics, furniture, precious metals, and spices while absorbing the smells of frankincense and sandalwood. Shuk Hapishpeshim, Jaffa (Tel Aviv-Yafo), Israel Haggle with shopkeepers for antiques, crafts, and odds and ends at this flea market in the old section of Israel's second-largest metropolis. Merchants at this market are predominately Jewish, so the market is closed on Saturdays. For serious shopping, make several trips and see which items reappear on a day-to-day basis. Spice Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey Though smaller than the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar, is considered just as traditional. Find all types of spices and Turkish potions as well as carpets, pottery, copperware, and leather goods. Enjoy the 1660s market building and the nearby Yeni Mosque complex, which is financed by shop rentals in the market. Closed Sundays.
Suq Waqif, Doha, Qatar Another great example of a traditional Arabian suq is the Suq Waqif or "Old Suq" in Doha. Shop for perfumes, spices, oils, bokhur (incense made from sandalwood, rosewater or other oils that is burned as a sign of hospitality), sandalwood, ambergris, rose oil, incense burners, and woven baskets and wooden chests.
North America Annex Antiques Fair and Flea Market, New York, New York Since 1976, this classic flea market, also called the Annex/Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, has attracted designers, celebrities, and residents for antiques and collectibles. The market is divided into three areas—spread out over the island of Manhattan. Shoppers can hop on the flea market shuttle to visit the other market stops for only $1. The eclectic jewelry, fabrics, and furniture make it worth every cent.
Central de Abastos, Oaxaca, Mexico Oaxaca's largest market has inspired writers like D.H. Lawrence to try and describe it. Every Saturday the marketplace is filled with rugs, baskets, and herbs. Look for the locally made criollo (pottery) and cotton and silk rebozo shawls. Market is open every day; craft market open Saturday only. Eastern Market, Washington, D.C. Since 1873, the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill has been an attraction for both tourists and residents. The weekend market is filled with vendors selling jewelry, art, and handmade crafts, while the indoor market is open every day except Monday selling produce, cheeses, seafood, and desserts. French Market, New Orleans, Louisiana Located at the foot of the French Quarter since 1791, this primarily open-air market has jewelry, artifacts, and vegetables as well as Creole herbs and spices. Gallup Indian Market, Gallup, New Mexico Surrounded by red rock canyons and vast stretches of desert, Gallup's Saturday market is filled with antiques, collectibles, and Native American jewelry and crafts like kachina dolls, moccasins, flutes, and quilts. Also try a sampling of authentic Native American foods like Zuni and Acoma bread and real mutton stew. Marché Jean-Talon, Montréal, Canada This large market in the heart of Montréal's Little Italy is frequented by Montréal residents for fresh produce, fish, cheese, flowers, and more. Because of the few tourists, the prices are cheaper and the goods more authentic.
Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington This nine-acre (3.6-hectare) market opened in 1907 with just eight farmers and is now one of Seattle's most famous landmarks. The market is home to 200 year-round businesses, 190 craftspeople, 120 farmers, and 240 street performers.
South and Central America Chichicastenango Marketplace, Chichicastenango, Guatemala This colorful market near the Church of Santo Tomás is open on Thursdays and Sundays and filled with stalls selling pottery, leather goods, masks, textiles, and jewelry. Look for human and animal-face masks, made from white pine, cedar, or palo de pito wood, which are used in traditional Guatemalan dances.
Feira de Artesanato de Ipanema (Hippie Fair), Ipanema, Brazil Head to Ipanema's Parque General Osório to browse stands filled with handicrafts, silver jewelry, handwoven grass baskets, paintings, and suede. Take a break and try exotic fruits like acai or conde. Closed Sunday. Feria de San Pedro Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina This very lively Sunday market in Plaza Dorrego sells antiques, handicrafts, and tango memorabilia amid live performances by musicians and tango dancers. In the evening the square turns into a milonga, a tango dance party.
Mercado Central, Guatemala City, Guatemala Located in the central square of Guatemala City, the Plaza Mayor de la Constitución Market, formerly called Parque Central, is home to a lively market filled with handcraft vendors, street performers, and hundreds of market stalls. Look for intricately woven huipiles (blouses) from all regions of the country.
Otavalo Market, Otavalo, Ecuador Comprised of produce, animal, and artisan markets, this year-round marketplace in Plaza de Ponchos is a good place to barter for embroidered shirts, carved wooden parrots, textiles, and authentic ceramics. Open every day, but go Saturday for the best shopping, when hundreds of vendors line the streets. Praça da Liberdade Market, São Paulo, Brazil This Sunday oriental market is located in the Japanese neighborhood of Liberdade, one of the oldest neighborhoods in São Paulo, offering authentic Asian foods, crafts, and exotic gifts. Sololá Market, Solola, Guatemala Sololá's townspeople gather every Friday for market day dressed in traditional outfits for this indigenous market and the exchange of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Witches' Market, La Paz, Bolivia Located on Calle Linares, vendors sell llama fetuses and dried frogs for Aymara rituals, as well as soapstone figurines and aphrodisiac formulas in the market known as Mercado de las Brujas. This street is the best place to pick up a charango (small stringed instrument) or other Bolivian musical instruments.
