Markets With Incredible History

Some markets have been in the exact same spot for so long that it's almost hard to believe. We're talking about places where people bought bread centuries ago. The history these places have seen while just giving people a place top buy all of their daily necessities is remarkable, especially considering that all of them are still operating today. So, join us as we explore the 20 oldest markets from around the world. 

Diego Delso on Wikimedia

1. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Step inside the Grand Bazaar, where trade has thrived since 1455 under Sultan Mehmet II. Known as the oldest continuously operating market, it once hosted over 4,000 shops arranged by guilds. Beyond trade, it offered mosques and inns, forming a complete world within its walls.

Masygreen on Wikimedia

2. Khan el-Khalili, Cairo, Egypt

In the heart of Cairo, Khan el-Khalili has been buzzing with merchants and travelers since the 14th century. This souk draws visitors for gold jewelry, hand-crafted lamps, and aromatic spices. Locals still sip coffee in centuries-old cafés where poets and thinkers once gathered to exchange ideas.

The Erica Chang on Wikimedia

3. Chandni Chowk, Delhi, India

Built in 1650 by Emperor Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum, Chandni Chowk remains Delhi’s lively soul. The market fills the air with scents of jalebi and chaat, while silver jewelry glitters in narrow lanes near the grand Red Fort.

Rickard Törnblad on Wikimedia

4. Bazaar Of Tabriz, Iran

The Bazaar of Tabriz has thrived since at least the 13th century as a major Silk Road trading hub. Recognized by UNESCO, its red-brick domes shelter shops selling Persian carpets and fragrant spices. Visitors often say walking through it feels like stepping into history itself.

Navid Alizadeh Sadighi on Wikimedia

5. Fez Medina Souks, Morocco

Winding through the ancient heart of Fez, these 9th-century souks offer a sensory journey unlike any other. Craftsmen still tan leather in open-air pits, while stalls overflow with ceramics and handmade slippers. The atmosphere captures Morocco’s deep artistic and trading heritage.

Momed.salhi on Wikimedia

6. Pike Place Market, Seattle, United States

Energy fills every corner of Pike Place Market, where fishmongers toss salmon high and laughter echoes through the aisles. Founded in 1907, it remains a gathering place for artists and tourists who always stop at the first-ever Starbucks nearby.

Daniel Schwen on Wikimedia

7. Kashgar Sunday Bazaar, Xinjiang, China

For over two millennia, Kashgar's Sunday Bazaar has functioned as a vital hub along Central Asia's Silk Road routes. The vast market overflows with rugs and livestock. Market days bring merchants from distant lands together, where they barter and celebrate commerce in a true cultural mosaic.

Hiroki Ogawa on Wikimedia

8. Borough Market, London, United Kingdom

Dating back to at least the 12th century, Borough Market feels like a feast for the senses. Stalls brim with baked bread, cheese wheels, and sizzling street food. Beyond shopping, movie fans recognize it from films like Harry Potter and Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Daniel R. Witte on Wikimedia

9. La Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain

Just off La Rambla, La Boqueria’s colorful chaos dates to the 13th century. Locals flock here for glistening seafood and freshly carved jamón. Its ornate iron entrance welcomes everyone—from Michelin-star chefs to curious travelers seeking Barcelona’s most flavorful traditions.

Thingstodoinbarcelona on Wikimedia

10. Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar

Souq Waqif captures the spirit of old Doha, blending history with modern vibrancy. For over a century, it’s been a gathering place for traders and travelers. Falcon shops line its alleys, while cultural festivals fill the air with music and fragrant Qatari spices.

Haakon S. Krohn on Wikimedia

11. Muttrah Souq, Muscat, Oman

Muttrah Souq weaves centuries of Omani culture through its narrow alleys. Traders sell silver jewelry and embroidered scarves beneath wooden lattices perfumed with spice. Though time has modernized the city outside, the market’s old-world charm since the 1820s continues to enchant every visitor who enters.

Georg Karl Ell on Wikimedia

12. Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, South Africa

Greenmarket Square has remained one of Cape Town’s most beloved landmarks since the 17th century. Vibrant stalls showcase African beadwork, carved masks, and textiles from across the continent. It’s also been a powerful space for public gatherings and artistic expression throughout history.

Ossewa on Wikimedia

13. Rialto Market, Venice, Italy

Established in the 11th century, the Rialto Market has been Venice’s commercial heart for nearly a millennium. Located along the Grand Canal, it began as a hub for merchants trading spices, silk, and precious goods. Today, locals still shop for fresh fish and produce beneath its historic arcades, preserving the rhythm of Venetian daily life.

Sergey Ashmarin on Wikimedia

14. Koza Han, Bursa, Turkey

Built in 1491 for Sultan Bayezid II, Koza Han once drew traders from across the empire. Today, its courtyard welcomes travelers with shade and steaming tea. The gentle atmosphere preserves the spirit of a marketplace that shaped Bursa’s identity.

Basak on Wikimedia

15. Al-Qaysariyah Market, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia

This early 19th-century market ranks among the Arabian Peninsula's most historic traditional souks. Ottoman-era construction created narrow passageways now filled with 400-plus shops selling perfumes, spices, textiles, and local handicrafts. Located in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains a thriving heritage center.

saudipics on Wikimedia

16. Souk Al-Hamidiyah, Damascus, Syria

Souk Al-Hamidiyah stretches like a grand walkway through Damascus’s old quarter. Dating to the Ottoman era (16th century), its iron roof filters soft light onto shops selling fabrics and pistachio ice cream. At its entrance, the Roman Temple of Jupiter reminds passersby of the city’s layered past.

James Gordon from Los Angeles, California, USA on Wikimedia

17. Bazaar Of Aleppo, Syria

Spanning over 13 kilometers, Aleppo’s bazaar began forming in the 7th century under Umayyad rule and flourished during Mamluk and Ottoman expansions. A Silk Road hub, it linked empires through trade and remains a powerful symbol of Syrian resilience and cultural legacy.

James Gordon from Los Angeles, California, USA on Wikimedia

18. St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada

Since 1803, St. Lawrence Market has filled Toronto’s heart with aromas of fresh bread and smoked meats. Its stalls brim with produce, cheese, and the famous peameal bacon sandwich. Once serving as the city hall, the building now stands as a cherished local gathering spot.

Jeff Smith smitty1966 on Wikimedia

19. Otavalo Market, Ecuador

Every Saturday, Otavalo Market bursts into color beneath Ecuador’s Andean peaks. Dating back to pre-Incan times, this vibrant gathering showcases the enduring legacy of Indigenous artisans who proudly display handwoven ponchos, beaded jewelry, and intricate tapestries.

Paul from Hacketts Cove, Canada on Wikimedia

20. Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia

Since 1878, Queen Victoria Market has drawn crowds looking for flavor and fun. Fresh produce lines the aisles by day, while nights bring food stalls and music. The mix of tradition and energy reflects Melbourne’s inclusive, vibrant character.

Crisco 1492 on Wikimedia