Market Tours Around the World

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. 61 streets, 4,000 shops, 500 years of continuous trading. Spices, textiles, ceramics, gold. Overwhelming in the best possible way.

Barcelona most famous market is best experienced early morning before the tourists arrive. The seasonal produce, the seafood counters and the olive stalls are extraordinary -- and the bar at El Quim opens at 7am.

Not so much a market as a daily performance. The great square of Marrakech transforms at dusk into storytellers, musicians, food stalls and the persistent smell of cumin and charcoal. Go at sunset, stay for dinner.

The longest outdoor market in the Netherlands -- a daily institution on the Albert Cuypstraat in the Pijp neighbourhood. Fresh herring, Dutch cheese, stroopwafels and the extraordinary cosmopolitan food of a genuinely international city.

Every Thursday, the Vrijdagmarkt in Ghent fills with the vegetables, cheeses and artisan products of Flemish food culture. Less famous than Bruges, far more authentic. The bread stalls alone are worth the trip.

A tradition unbroken since the 14th century. Every Friday morning from April to September, wheels of Gouda and Edam are carried across the square by cheese porters in white uniforms. One of the great living traditions of European food culture.