10 of the world’s great public markets

Public markets, bazaars, souks, arcades — these magical and eclectic centers serve as a city’s commercial and cultural hub, regardless of what we call them. As people have for millennia, we enter these markets as tourists but we depart, after haggling for local wares, sampling authentic cuisine and settling into a café respite, with as much local knowledge as we could find in the local museum.
Text by Crai S. Bower | Photo editing by Connie Ricca
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8Comments
Mike Young (gnuoy_0)
Dec 6, 2012 9:52AM
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Pike  Place not included? Your credabililty is in the toilet my friend.
jbtaxguy
Dec 6, 2012 9:49AM
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Pike Place Market in Seattle vrs Granville Island, BC.  Pike Place hands down.
ultra-myopic
Dec 6, 2012 9:42AM
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I have been to markets all over the world and nothing beats Kejetia Market (also known as Central Market) in Kumasi, Ghana.  Kumasi, a city of 2 million, is in Central Ghana and draws merchants from all over the country and beyond.  With 10,000 merchants, it is reputedly the second largest in Africa (I've never found out which is first).

The place is so disorganized that you need a guide to help you find what you're looking for.  For instance, in one section, there are dozens of shoemakers.  Each hangs the styles he makes.  You pick the style, color and leather you want.  He measures your foot and in a day or two you have a custom pair of shoes that would cost $100 or $200 in a US store.  Your price?  $10 to $25 depending on your bargaining skill.

Other sections have fabric sellers, tailors (but not near one another), jewelry, household goods, every manner of food including smoked food, etc.

Lawrence767
Dec 6, 2012 8:11AM
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You have to put the Pike Place Market in the Top 15.
Snydley
Dec 6, 2012 7:21AM
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And no mention of Pike Place Market in Seattle?  What planet are you living on?

TomTom-72
Dec 6, 2012 4:40AM
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You omitted the #1 market: The Castries Market in St. Lucia.
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