Experience Your Vacation Like a Local: 5 Reasons to Go to the Market while Traveling

Perhaps the last thing you want to do while on vacation is buy groceries and cook your meals. After all, it should be a time of relaxation, a break from your every day. That is one way to look at it. For me, the market experience is one that shouldn’t be missed while traveling because it has so much to offer. Some of my favorite travel memories are from shopping at markets. Particularly outdoor food markets where the colorful produce, fragrant street food, and abundance of locals make for a truly memorable experience. The market for me is where the average tourist becomes a traveler. Why do I love it so much and why is it worthwhile for you to have a market experience during your travels? I’ll tell you!

1. It is a cultural experience. Sure, visiting popular landmarks is always a must when traveling but it is also important to visit areas where the tourists do not outnumber the locals. When you travel, you are likely looking for something different than what’s back home. So, step out of your comfort zone and venture to local markets where you can be part of the local scene. Markets are great places to people watch, sample the food, and test out your language skills. I recall a memory in the Testaccio Market in Rome when I was ordering a sandwich from one of the vendors. I had my order written in Italian on a small piece of paper. As I slowly pronounced “panino con l’allesso alla picchiapo,” the man behind the counter’s eyes light up. He was so excited that was trying to order in Italian and I was even more excited that he actually understood me. It is moments like this one that I love so much while traveling.
2. It’s an opportunity to mingle with the locals. This ties in with the cultural experience I noted above. In many cultures, going to the market is an enjoyable and relaxing regiment. I’ve found that to be especially true in France and Italy. As fresh food is important to both the French and Italians, they often grocery shop on a daily basis. They also leave plenty of time in their schedule to do so. This is a great opportunity to chat with locals who are not on the run to get somewhere. Additionally, the vendors are as nice as can be. They are so proud of their products and are happy to help you find what you need.
3. The food is good. The best part about buying food from the market is that you don’t have to commit to one thing. You can sample a variety of items by multiple vendors. During another market trip to the Biomercato in Italy, I got the chance to do some olive oil tasting. Thereafter, I tried some porchetta which is a Roman specialty and one that has become one of my favorite things to eat in Rome.
4. It is cost-effective. Buying groceries and cooking (if you have access to a kitchen in your vacation rental) is almost always less costly than eating out. Moreover, local produce is often very fresh and offer a unique taste depending on the region where it is grown. But going to the market doesn’t always mean you have to cook. There are usually many options for pre-prepared food. At the Marche Ave du President Wilson in Paris, I bought fruit, cheese, bread, rotisserie chicken, cooked shrimp, and boeuf bourguignon and all were already cooked and required minimal preparation. In London, I purchased some delicious olive bread and a variety of meats and cheeses for simple sandwiches that I can eat on the go. Aside from food, the markets are a great place to save money on nonfood-related products as well. In the Chinatown area of London, I found scarves for just two pounds each.
5. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs. The gift shops that surround popular sites cater to tourists and will always sell generic trinkets for outrageously high prices. Instead, go to an outdoor food or flea market, a local grocery store, or a specialty food shop for your souvenir shopping. At a specialty food shop in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, I bought a bag of mushroom risotto to bring home. In Paris, I purchased a small assortment of chocolates in the Passy area and some salted caramel cookies at Ty Miam Goz in Montmartre that my co-workers raved about; they each cost just a few euros.