Street Markets are some of the best places for real taste and texture. Filled with specialties that can only be found in the specific city or country with the bustling street market. Traveling allows us to explore the culture, traditions, religions, and cuisines of different nations. While you are in a new city, you can take as many trips to as many popular landmarks and touristic attractions as you want, but you can only get the best of insight into a country's culture by meeting its locals on a visit to its local street markets or bazaars.
These are the colorful street markets filled with beautiful handicrafts, authentic souvenirs, local delicacies, Arabic rugs and carpets, perfumes and handbags, used and antique goods, and most importantly, street food, which is the essence of any country's cuisine.
Spices, simple local street food such as an open-faced sandwich, and religious sculptures etc. fill up the loud and slumping, narrow streets of a street market. Arrays of stalls filled with freshly baked muffins, or fried fish, or spring rolls, which is a treat to our senses. A great tip for you if you are traveling on a budget is to literally live on local or street food.
What is so special about these local markets?
The best thing about these local markets; you can bargain with vendors to get your favorite things for the price you want and save your pennies. White table-clothed restaurants will pay you to double for a smaller serving whereas street food is both economical and tasty. Don't you want to sense the most of the country's culture? Don't forget to visit a local street market when you travel next time. Do you know how many people travel through travel agents in the UK, just for these famous open-air or street markets around some of these top cities listed down below? Check out why!
Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong, China
Named after the nearby Tin Hau Temple, Temple Street Night Market is a famous market in Hong Kong. When the sun goes down and the stars come out, that is when the market comes alive. You might have seen the streets of this market in a movie as a number of gangster movies have been filmed in the Temple Street Night Market. If you are a shopaholic like me, you will love the shopping scene here, from clothing items such as summer dresses, heels, handbags to traditional souvenirs and antiques, there is nothing you won't find here. There is something for everyone. But most importantly, this lively Chinese market is known for its food stalls, the aromas, and tastes of the local cuisine.
Bur Dubai and Deira, Dubai, UAE
Dubai's busiest and most visited area on the eastern bank of Dubai Creek is a marketplace called Deira. Filled with shops and stalls, vendors and shoppers, Deira is a must-visit place for shopaholics. On the other side of Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai, which is known for preserving the historic quarter of Bastakiya. From gold, spice, to fabric and fish, you will find everything your heart desires here. The streets, however, are most famous for amazing street food from all over the world, Lebanese, Indian and Arabic cuisines topping the charts.
Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok, Thailand
The weekend market has around 15,000 stalls lined against each other. The space it takes makes up most of the city in itself than the city itself, which makes it one of the biggest weekend market in the world. From books, art collection, handicrafts, and clothing items to exotic birds and animals etc., there is nothing you won't find here. The weekend market is not only the shopping capital of the city, but is also a houseful of amazing Thai street food such as fish cakes, grilled skewers, sausages, kebabs, pancakes, and different desserts are some of the bestselling Chatuchak Weekend Market foods.
Jaffa Flea Market, Tel Aviv, Israel
Located in the 19th-century Arab quarters of Jaffa, the local Jaffa Flea Market is one of the best markets in the world. The main market is filled with Judaica, trendy handmade statement necklaces and other jewelry pieces, screen-printed shirts, a collection of antiques and old instruments and everything unique. However, for the best Israeli taste, walk away from the area which has been in operation since the Ottoman era, and you will come across the hub of authentic local cuisines. You can enjoy these on a very low budget, some of these delicious foods are shawarma, fish and chips, Itzik HaGadol and Shipudey Zika, etc.
Brooklyn Flea, New York City
This market is known for being the jump-start to the careers of hundreds of people, upon its development. In Brooklyn's Fort Greene or Williamsburg neighborhoods, vendors will sell everything from jewelry, furniture, bicycles, to antique collectibles such as maps, vintage handbags etc. The market vendors especially target artwork and designs over the weekend. However, the greatest thing they offer is the local food. Some of New York's best food is made in Milk Truck. Fill your tummies with delicious gourmet grilled cheeses, Takumi's Mexican-Japanese tacos, and Big Bao's steamed pork buns.
Camden Markets, London, England
Camden Markets is a pathway to the real London, which is why it is one of London's top attractions. Made up of six distinct markets, Camden is home to 1000 shops and stalls assembled between Regent's Canal and the Roundhouse Theatre. The multi-cultural melting pot of the city is filled with arts and crafts, a place where locals and tourists come to see street performers, musical acts and to enjoy some of the best street food around towns, such as Zala Grill, Magic Falafel, Cheese Bar, and Maize Blaze.
Loppemarkedet, Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the top flea markets in Copenhagen, Loppemarkedet is held at Tap 1 in the Carlsberg brewery district. The market is a phenomenon, especially in time for Christmas, filled with buys and sellers who sell and/or merchandise their products such as clothing items, crystal glass, world-famous Danish ceramics, furniture, and most importantly, and more than 400 stalls offering delicious Danish cuisine.
