There’s nothing better than getting lost among rows of market stalls when visiting a new city. Markets are an absolute must if you want to get to know the culture of a country. In them we can find all kinds of things: local food, clothing, handicrafts, fragrances, second-hand items… In this list of the largest markets in the world, we’ll discover those where wandering through the endless stands is an adventure in and of itself!
Yiwu Market, China
If you think Chinese department stores are huge, wait until you see this! The Futian District market, or Yiwu Market, is the largest wholesale market in the world, with 5.5 million square meters of space that spans 7 kilometers. Most of the products of all the world’s Chinese bazaars come out of this market, mainly gifts, toys, watches, accessories, clothing, decorative items and electronics, all wholesale. You would need several days to go through it all!
Central de Abastos, Mexico City
High on this list of the largest markets is the famous Central de Abastos of Mexico City (CEDA), the world’s largest food market. Stalls are distributed over an area of 327 hectares, where you can find everything from food to rental cars.
In the CEDA you’ll find people like bodegueros, chicas de carrito and diableros, loaders who use carts or dollies to transport goods throughout the market.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the largest markets in the world, and also one of the most famous. It is located in the Old City, extends over 64 streets, and can be accessed through 22 different gates. Like most souks, the Grand Bazaar is organized into guilds, and therefore jewelers, furriers, hatters and other artisans all display their products in the same areas.
Its origins date back to the year 1455, when Mehmed II built an old bazaar next to his palace, around which artisan workshops were installed. Businesses began to proliferate, and later the streets were covered and a wall was built around it.
Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
Attention, sushi lovers! Want to know the best place in the world to eat this Japanese dish? Without a doubt, the area around Tsukiji market, the largest fish market in the world. It has more than 450 different species of seafood and fish, and an extensive history dating back to the 16th century.
One of the most interesting moments in the atmosphere of this Tokyo market is the tuna auction. Every day between 5 and 6:15 am, tonnes of tuna are put to auction. An exciting event to experience to see if you’re an early bird!
Chatuchak Market, Bangkok
Another of the largest markets in the world is the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok. In its colossal space of 140,000 square meters, you can find pretty much anything: food, plants, handicrafts, furniture, art and even pets! Bargaining is typical in this market, so getting a good price is always possible if you know how to negotiate. Be sure to plan accordingly, however, as this market is only open on weekends and holidays.
While you’re there, don’t miss its restaurant section, where you can find Thai specialties and, of course, the famous insect snacks. Anyone want to try a delicious grilled scorpion?
Merkato, Addis Ababa
Merkato, also called Addis Merkato, is an open-air market located in the Addis Ketema district of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. It is the largest open-air market in Africa, specializing in locally grown agricultural products such as coffee, root vegetables and spices.
Its origin dates back to the time of the Italian colonization of Ethiopia, between 1936 and 1947, which is why its name comes from the word mercato (market, in Italian). Today, it occupies an entire neighborhood of about 15 hectares.
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
The Queen Victoria Market occupies 7 hectares and is the largest market in the southern hemisphere. Impressive, right? It opened its doors in March 1898 and, thanks to the expansion of trade, it grew rapidly to become what it is now: one of Melbourne‘s major tourist attractions, and a hub of nightlife and culture. In fact, the Australian government is trying to have it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
After this curated selection of spots, you have plenty of markets to keep in mind for your next trip. Of course, prepare a whole day because, remember, they are the largest markets in the world!
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