Mouthwatering smells, crispy crackling food cooking, small stools (or no chairs), handmade crafts, clothing, textiles, insects on sticks, metalwork, teddy bears, raw meat, ripe vegetables, colorful flowers, a world of cheese…where are you? At any of the street markets I’ve gathered for you here. You see, I LOVE street markets (and I mean LOVE). So much so, that I’ve asked many of my travel writer friends for their best street market recommendations (and photos), to share with our wandering educators. They love them…so much that I was overwhelmed with a great desire to go, travel, eat! I have a feeling you will, too…

Let’s take a trip around the world, discovering over 100 of the planet’s best street markets.

Photo courtesy and copyright Talon Windwalker, 1dad1kid.com, adapted by Wandering Educators with thanks!

First, my favorite websites (in alphabetical order) that share a plethora of articles on street markets (because, really, if we broke them all out, the articles from these sites would equal the rest of the list):

David Levobitz

Dropout Diaries (also run the fabulously delicious Saigon Street Eats)

Ever in Transit

Everywhereist

The Longest Way Home (and read our interview here)

Migrationology (and read our interview here)

Pure visual interest and hunger-inducing photos at my pinterest board on Street Markets Around the World

First, experience the joys of street food, over at 1dad1kid:

 

Let’s go! Click through on each title to visit each street market...

 

 

North America

 

A Visit to the Richmond Night Market

The Rotato! photo courtesty of Pack Me To
 

Boston: 3 Hidden Gems

Haymarket, photo courtesy of Hannah Miller

 

Local foods at the Headhouse Farmers Market in Philadelphia

Headhouse Farmer's Market, photo courtesy of Changes in Longitude
 

Is the NYC Union Square Holiday Market worth checking out? My shopping guide in photos.

Union Square Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

Eastern Market — Washington DC

 

Lansing City Market: Mid-Michigan's oldest continuously operating public market

Lansing City Market, photo courtesy of Midwest Guest

 

Fill your shopping basket with regional goodies at Detroit's Eastern Market

Eastern Market, photo courtesy of Midwest Guest

 

Ohio's Toledo Farmers' Market has a long history

Toledo Farmer's Market, photo courtesy of Midwest Guest

 

Cleveland's West Side Market celebrates 100th anniversary

West Side Market, photo courtesy of Midwest Guest

 

Foodie Finds: Cleveland's West Side Market

West Side Market, photo courtesy of Kristen J. Gough

 

What Will You Find at the Yellow Springs Farmer's Market?

Yellow Springs Farmer's Market, photo courtesy of Wandering Educators

 

Farmer’s Market Season Arrives in St. Louis

Photo courtesy Karen Goodman

 

KC’s City Market offers international cuisine, shopping

Kansas City Market, photo courtesy of The Walking Tourists

 

Spring helps KC City Market pop

Serving Spices at the KC Farmer's Market, photo courtesy The Walking Tourists

 

Omaha Farmers Market Fun

Omaha Farmer's Market, photo courtesy of Oh My Omaha

 

Tucson Farmer’s Market

Cactus at the Tucson Farmer's Market, photo courtesy of Vera Marie Badertscher

 

Finding Food Adventures at the San Francisco Ferry Building

Mushrooms at the Ferry Building, photo courtesy of Ever in Transit

 

San Francisco’s Historic Ferry Building

Olive oil market, photo courtesy of Julie Royce

 

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, a photo essay

Ice cream at Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

Trying Something New At The San Pedro Square Market

San Pedro Square Market, CA, photo courtesy of Ever in Transit

 

Farmers Market in Hawaii: Kona’s Sensual Smells Tempt Our Tastebuds

Kona Market, photo courtesy of Walkingon Travels

 

Farmers markets on Hawaii Island

Farmers markets on Hawaii Island - fresh fruit! Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

The Markets of Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca Market, photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Mexico…Where’s all the Danger? A Recap of What It’s Really Like.

Vegetable market, photo courtesy of Discover, Share, Inspire

 

Postcard From Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca Market, photo courtesy of Briana Nema

 

Guide to Oaxaca City, Mexico

Oaxaca Market, photo courtesy of Briana Nema

 

Finding an Authentic Mexican Taco Shop

Mexican street market, photo courtesy of Kristen J. Gough

 

Join me for a taco?

Taco stand in Chapala, photo courtesy of Emma D'Antoni

 

Tianguis de Chapala

Chapala market, photo courtesy of Joy Whitehead

 

 

Caribbean

 

Sights of Trinidad and Tobago

Fruit Market in Trinidad, photo courtesy of Freimut Hinsch

 

 

Central America

 

Street Food: Eating our Way Through Mexico and Central America

Photo courtesy Discover Share Inspire

 

 

A Festive Christmas Tour of Panajachel, Guatemala

Street market in Panajachel, photo courtesy of Discover, Share, Inspire
 

 

South America

 

A Fresh Perspective on Study Abroad

Street market, photo courtesy of API

 

Coming Face-to-Face With Your Food at the Otavalo Animal Market

Otavalo Animal Market, photo courtesy of Ever in Transit

 

15 Weird and Wonderful Things You Can Buy at Cusco’s San Pedro Market

Cusco's street market, photo courtesy of Ever in Transit
 

 

Europe

 

International Street Food Festival: Elegant European Eats

Churros, photo courtesy of the Dropout Diaries

 

Cork’s English Market

Cork's English Market, photo courtesy of Irish Fireside

 

Because sometimes, you've just got to make fish chowder (Kenmare Market, Ireland)

Kenmare Market, photo courtesy of Wandering Educators

 

Sampling food at Borough Market

Borough Market, photo courtesy of Wonderful Wanderings

 

Can’t visit London without visiting Covent Garden

Covent Garden, photo courtesy of Wonderful Wanderings

 

Shopping Covent Garden- London’s Most Convenient Market for Handmade Souvenirs

Covent Garden puppet, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

From the London Thames to Portobello Road

Shopping Portobello Road, photo courtesy of Wonderful Wanderings

 

Portobello Road on a Saturday

Shopping Portobello Road, photo courtesy of Wonderful Wanderings

 

Brick Lane

Shopping Brick Lane, London. Photo courtesy API

 

Shopping Stockholm: Gamla Stan Christmas Market 2013, a Real Life Swedish fairy tale

Gamla Stan Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

Foodie Finds: 4 Great Places to Eat in Stockholm

Eating at Tysta Mari, Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

How To: Shopping in Paris Markets

Shopping along the Seine, Paris. Photo courtesy of Vera Marie Badertscher

 

Culture and Community at an East Paris Farmers Market

Belleville-Menilmontant Market, Paris, photo courtesy of Ever in Transit

 

Foodie Finds: A Paris Weekend Getaway

Bastille Market, Paris, photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

The 5 Best Gastronomic Reasons to Visit Paris: Paris by Food

Paris by Food - the crepe stand guy, photo courtesy of Becca Tran

 

Experiencing Neighborhoods in Paris

Street markets in Paris, photo courtesy of 1dad1kid

 

Lunchtime at the Naschmarkt in Vienna

Cheese at Vienna's Naschmarkt, photo courtesy of Travel Addicts

 

A Vienna Christmas market even a Scrooge can love: Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

My Unfiltered Guide to the Best (and Worst) of Vienna’s Christmas Markets

Vienna's Christmas Markets, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

The Christmas Markets of Central Europe

Christmas Markets of Central Europe, photo courtesy of Pack Me To

 

Munich, Germany’s Medieval Christmas Market: Corny or Cool?

Munich Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

A German Christmas Market Experience

Musicians at a German Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Will Wellman

 

The Magic of the Nuremberg Christmas Markets

Sausages at the Nuremberg Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Travel Addicts

 

The Best Munich area Christmas Market isn’t in Munich– hop a train to Augsburg instead

Augsburg Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder
 

The Szimpla Kert Farmer’s Market in Budapest

Shopping at Szimpla Kert Farmer’s Market, photo courtesy of Pack Me To

 

Best Hungarian Food and Treats at the Budapest Christmas Market Fair

Budapest Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

Budapest Christmas Fair and Market: Shop for Crafty gifts with a Festive Vibe

Puppets at the Budapest Christmas Market, photo courtesy of Souvenir Finder

 

Foodie Finds: A Weekend Getaway to Budapest

Markets in Budapest. Photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

Travel Tips: 12 Things to Do in Southern Croatia

Shopping at street markets in Dobrovnik, photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

Split, Croatia farmers market

Fresh vegetables. Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

Split, Croatia – the morning fish market

Unnamed ugly fish at the morning fish market. Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

De Compras – A Guide to Spain’s Best Markets

Spain's Markets - a guide. Photo courtesy of Cat Gaa

 

The Fish Ish: Finding Refuge at Barcelona’s Boquería Market

Fresh juices at Barcelona’s Boquería Market, photo courtesy of API

 

La Boqueria in Barcelona – A place to photograph beautiful food

Chocolates! La Boqueria in Barcelona. Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

Slow Food in Barcelona: A Walk Through the Markets and a Taste of Catalan Cuisine

Entrance to La Boqueria Market, Barcelona. Photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Great Markets and a Memorable Cooking School Experience in Barcelona

Shopping with a cooking class at the markets in Barcelona. Photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Foodie Finds: Exploring Barcelona, One Bite at a Time

Open air market in Plaça del Pi, photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

The Almuñécar Friday Market

 

Tapa Thursdays: The Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

Oysters at the Mercado San de San Miguel, Madrid. Photo courtesy Sunshine & Siestas

 

El Mercadillo el Jueves, Sevilla

Bullfighter Jackets, El Mercadillo el Jueves, Sevilla. Photo courtesy Sunshine & Siestas

 

Eating Well in Lisbon

Seafood at Lisbon's markets. Photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Exploring the Diversity of Provence: The Foods, Wines, Markets, and Cultural Life of Avignon

Avignon's Palais de Papes, photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Live in Nice Like a Local: Rent an Apartment and Relax: Produce, Flowers, or Arts and Crafts Markets Are a Step Away

Nice flower market, photo courtesy of Transitions Abroad

 

Tips for Visiting Alghero, Sardinia

Fresh markets in Alghero, Sardinia. Photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

Market Day and Sightseeing in Siena, Italy

Seafood market in Siena, Italy. Photo courtesy of Travel Addicts

 

Naked Debtors- More Secrets of Florence- Part 2

The Mercato Nuovo, Florence. Photo courtesy Capturing la Vita

 

An Insider’s Guide to Florence for Foodies

Dried fruits at Mercato Central in Florence, photo courtesy Live Do Grow

 

A Foodie's Guide to Rome

Street markets in Rome, photo courtesy of Talia Klundt

 

 

Africa

 

Guelmim, Gateway to the Sahara  

Street market in Guelmim, photo courtesy of 1dad1kid

 

The Perspective of Travel

Street market in North Africa. Photo courtesy of 1dad1kid

 

Morocco: An Unexpected Gem

Medina shopping in Morocco, photo courtesy of Michael Gioia

 

Morocco With Kids – 13 Tips for Marrakech

Shopping in Marrakech, photo courtesy of Wagoners Abroad

 

Wonderful Marrakech

A glass of fresh-squeezed juice for less than 50 cents, photo courtesy of 1dad1kid

 

Hidden Treasures: Eight Cats in the Middle East

Here a cat is sitting atop a bale of Egyptian cotton in a market in Islamic Cairo, Egypt. The street behind him, which leads to Bab Zuweila, was one of the most famous thoroughfares in the Middle East about one thousand years ago. Photo courtesy Joel Carillet

 

Market Day in a Small Egyptian Town

Shopping in Daraw, Egypt, photo courtesy Escape Artistes

 

Owerri, Here We Come

Market in Owerri, Nigeria. Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Bitz

 

Market Hopping Around Lagos

Market Vendors in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo courtesy Transitions Abroad

 

Mauritius Con Bambini (in Italian!)

Market in Mauritius, photo courtesy of Bimbi e Viaggi

 

 

Middle East

 

The Other Side of Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar

Leeches (!) at Istanbul's markets, photo courtesy of Escape Artistes

 

It's a Turkish Delight on a Moonlit Night

In the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul. Photo courtesy of Winfred Peppinck

 

Exploring Istanbul

Shopping in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, photo courtesy Talia Klundt

 

Hidden Treasures: The Flea Market in Jaffa, Israel

The Flea Market in Jaffa, Israel, photo courtesy Joel Carillet

 

 

Central Asia

 

Hidden Treasures: The Camels of Tolkuchka Bazaar

Textiles for sale at Tolkuchka Bazaar, Turkmenistan, photo courtesy Joel Carillet

 

Hidden Treasures: Bread and Borscht in a Kyrgyz Cafe

Meat for sale at the market in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Photo courtesy Joel Carillet

 

 

Southeast Asia

 

International Street Food Festival: Fabulous Asian Finds

Dumplings - ubiquitous street food in Asia. Photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

The Mystery of Myanmar

Market in Myanmar, photo courtesy Travel Sherpa Keith

 

Chiang Rai Night Markets

Eating at the night market in Chiang Rai, photo courtesy the Places We Go

 

Chiang Mai’s Best Street Food

Kha Jao Market, Chiang Mai, photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

Chiang Mai Sunday Market

Delicious food at the Chiang Mai night market, photo courtesy Malaysian Meanders

 

Visiting the ancient city of Ayutthaya

Market in Ayutthaya, Thailand, photo courtesy travel4yum

 

Foodie Finds: Best Food in Bangkok

Bangkok street food, photo courtesy Flashpacker Family

 

Hidden Treasures: Saturday Night on Bangkok's Khao San Road

Khao San Road, Bangkok, photo courtesy Joel Carillet

 

Visiting Langkawi

Street food in Langkawi, photo courtesy 1dad1kid

Street food in Langkawi, photo courtesy 1dad1kid

 

Fighting Cocks and Jungle Ferns

Market, Kapit, Sarawak, Indonesia. Photo by Escape Artistes

 

Quick Guide To Central Vietnamese Cuisine

Quick Guide To Central Vietnamese Cuisine, photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

In Photos: Markets in Vietnam

Street markets in Vietnam, photo courtesy Dangerous Business

 

Banh Khot, A Vung Tau Street Speciality

Banh Khot - street food, photo courtesy of Dropout Diaries

 

Fresh Fish From Vinh Long Market

Buying fish at Vinh Long Market, Vietnam, photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

The Lunch Lady

The Lunch Lady - HCMC's most famous street food eatery. Photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

The No-Nonsense Travel Guide to Hong Kong

 

Exploring Cambodian Cuisine

Street food in Cambodia, photo courtesy Dropout Diaries

 

 

Asia

 

Taipei with Kids: 24 Tips for a Great Trip

Shilin Market, Taipei, photo courtesy Family on the Loose

 

The awesome experience of eating in Taipei

Taipei Street food, photo courtesy Wheres Sharon

 

Taiwanese Night Market Culture: Eat, Drink, and Be Daring

Taiwanese Night Market Culture, photo courtesy A Cruising Couple

 

Shopping for Dinner in Hong Kong

Butcher shop in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Photo courtesy My Itchy Travel Feet

 

Street Markets Are For Kids

Fa Yuen Street Market, Hong Kong. Photo courtesy Walkingon Travels

 

Temple Night Market Done Right

Temple Night Market diners, photo courtesy Walkingon Travels

 

An Inside Look at Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Tsujiki Fish Market, Tokyo from above. Photo courtesy Ever in Transit

 

Japanese Street Food

Japanese Street Food. Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

Japanese outdoor markets

Fresh fruit, flowers, and vegetables at Japanese outdoor markets. Photo courtesy Noel Morata

 

 

South Pacific

 

Is the Sydney Fish Market a tourist trap?

Sydney Fish Market sign, photo courtesy Changes in Longitude

 

 

 

So there you have it, over 110 street markets around the world - have you been to any? Or have others to share? What are your favorites?

 

 

 

Big thanks to all the travel writers who shared their amazing articles and photos!