Flea markets are becoming more and more popular all over the world. Not just about bargain hunting, these places capture in nutshell the essence and the vibe of the country. Despite glittering malls shopping centers, some travelers still troop to the flea markets for unique souvenirs.

Apart from the usual tourist haunts of museums, galleries, parks and other recreational places, tourists make a swerve and visit flea markets as part of their itinerary. It's often not just about finding a cheap souvenir, it's a lot more about the encapsulating atmosphere of these places. Finding for that one-of-a-kind object or that which one doesn't even know existed offers a different kind of excitement. Whatever the reason may be, it is guaranteed that something unique and exiting can be encountered in a flea market—either a candelabra from the 18th century or the ready smile of locals even if you haggle a product down to a fraction of its price.

We list down some of the most notable flea markets in the world—from London to New York, from Paris to Barcelona, from Buenos Aires to Tangiers, from Tokyo to Bangkok. Souks, bazaars, call them way you like. These flea markets are destined to stay for as long visitors have money to spend and the appetite for local life.

London, England

Open only during Saturdays, Portobello Road in London starts trading even before morning breaks. Over a thousand merchants are ready to proffer anything from armors to knives, from old photographs to dripping chandeliers. Those who want to check out fine antique jewelry should go to Central gallery. Though merchants with their own shops easily get the traffic, don’t forget to check out the goods laid out on the street. You may just spot a bargain. It’s not only the merchandise that is cool at Portobello, but it has its own unique clientele. You may stumble into a rock star or a fashion designer checking out antique jar or dainty set of Chinese teapots.

Another popular haunt is Bermondsey. The stalls start all the way to the square of Bermondsey Abbey. Open every Friday from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., its New Caledonian Market wakes collectors early in the morning for some much coveted gem of a product. The artsy-fartsy shoppers drift to Bermondsey for some ephemera, such as Victorian candlesticks, rare Georgian and Edwardian glass and dandy sticks bearing a silver handles worn by years of service.

Flea market stall with old clocks and cameras

Paris, France

Open during the weekend, with some shops open for business even on Mondays, Porte de Clignancourt in Paris France is a serious bargain haunt with over 2,500 dealers ready to sell their bric-a-bracs. Just like a visit to the Louvre, shoppers should at least devote an entire day in checking out the merchandise. People come to Clignancourt for anything old and expensive, meaning antique furniture, glassware, iconic and mid-century chairs and lamps. Fashion-conscious individuals can spot vintage clothing, art-deco jewelry and leather good. As Puces de Clignancourt is an almost winding street lined with individual shops, visitors are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Also at Paris is the Porte de Vanves, located at the Rive Gauche. Open during the weekend until 1 p.m., Porte de Vanves is the little secret shoppers keep where they buy souvenir items, Parisian paraphernalia, and other gewgaws. The items here are may be lightweight in size but not in price so be sure to have your haggling skills honed when you drop by. It is said that after the market closes, some of the merchants proceed to Clignancourt to sell their goods.

New York City, USA

Open during the weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, located on West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues, is popular for its habitués as much as for its merchandise. Students, designers, tourists, and movie stars come to this place in search of vintage clothing, jewelry and shoes. Home décor, iconic chairs and lamps, antique furniture also make an appearance. Those who have an eye for design may be able to spot an important piece sold for a bargain.

Another destination in the Big Apple is the Garage, located on the West 25th Street. Open only during the weekends, the Garage is the regular haunt of the collectors in search of another beautiful item to add to their possessions. About 100 merchants still operate in this place, selling everything from mid-century furniture to antique pieces, from polished mirrors to well-worn desks.

Barcelona, Senigallia, Amsterdam

The land of beautiful architecture's flea market is located in Plaça de la Seu, in front of the Catedral de Barcelona, Barri Gòtic hums with activity only during every Thursday. Those who are in the lookout for a bargain may be in for a disappointment since most of the items sold are actually high market. Midcentury and antique furniture, posters and postcards, fountain pens and ink bottles make a suggestion for the tourist wanting to take a piece of Barcelona.

Colorful Spanish fans on the El Rastro flea market in Madrid, Spain

Shoppers who are in the look-out for exotic finds can drop by at Milan’s new institution called Fiera di Senigallia. Every Saturday morning, Fiera di Senigallia turns into a large-scale flea market of shopping haven, full of noise, color and the distinct smell so typical of flea markets. Nestled along the quay of Viale d’ Annunzio, the market offers anything from African craftwork, old furniture, faux art nouveau lamps, essences, vintage books, all of which are neatly put all together in the stalls.

For years, Amsterdam has been blessed with an outdoor market which happen to be included among the “must visit lists” of travelers and shoppers around the world. Named after the famous Battle of Waterloo in1815, the square of Waterloopleain is flanked by the Musiektheater and the Town Hall. It is dotted by shops that sell antiques, second-hand clothing, souvenir plates, cameo and Tiffany style lamp, curiosa and all sorts of discounted merchandise offering a different shopping experience. No sleek façade, no posh shops, just large and open stalls with an ethnic theme exuding a “Marrakesh-like atmosphere” that makes it a hot stuff for tourists and flea market enthusiast.

Buenos Aires and Tangier

Open only on Sundays, Plaza Dorego in San Telmo, Buenos Aires becomes a veritable Woodstock with foreigners and locals checking out the district. The plaza merely serves as a starting point to various shops known for furniture and accessories of the Art Deco and the Art Nouveau bent. Clothes from the last century are sold at Gil Antigüedades, 412 Humberto I. It is said that even the designs of Eva Peron’s modistes are still displayed for those who want to have a Latin American vibe.

A flea market that is open every single day, Casabarata harks back to the Morocco in the short stories of Paul Bowles. The sidewalk shops sell anything and everything: fabrics, lamps, antique jewelry, African ornaments. The bucolic and rambling charm is destined to be erased by overdevelopment so tourists going to this part of Africa should make it a point to visit before featureless glass and steel shops overtake this place.

Antiques at the flea market

Tokyo and Bangkok

Open only during the first and fourth Sunday of the month, the flea market near the Togo Shrine in Meiji Dori is the place to go for those in search of authentic Oriental pieces. Traditional dresses like kimonos, scrolls of Japanese calligraphy, souvenir items such as dolls and fans, and minimalist furniture pieces are all laid out to appreciated and bought. Those who don’t speak Nihonggo may want to bring a pen and piece of paper on which they will write the amount with which they are willing to buy items. Vendors may do the same or punch the amount on a handy calculator.

In Asia, nothing can be quite compared to Chatuchak, officially the biggest market in the world containing 5,000 stalls selling all sorts of home wares, fashion items, crafts and everything that any shoppers could hope to find. The stalls are divided into sections (clothing, furniture and home décor, food) that going it through is a breeze. Safety is an issue so be sure to have your wallets and valuable stuff guarded. With that done, nothing can prevent you from enjoying your stay.