Food Markets: In the Belly of the City

Meandering through the lively city of Palermo in Sicily, the almost one-thousand-year-old Ballarò open-air street market is a true hidden wonder which throbs with activity around the busy Piazza Carmine in the old part of the town. Amidst a wide sea of red umbrellas, one can find fresh ricotta cheeses, anchovies, olives, fish, all cuts of meat, and salamis that awaken all of the senses in an immersive and unforgettable experience at Palermo's local food scene.

The fully renovated Old Market Hall, or Vanha Kauppahalli, is a magnificent 19th-century building, and Helsinki's oldest indoor food market, providing the best products Finland has to offer. A true gem in the city, this is the place-to-be for all gourmets who look for exciting new flavors. As the market's beautiful stalls are always crammed with fresh herrings, local burbot fish, exotic delicacies, and Finnish baked goods, undoubtedly, the visitor will have a hard time choosing from an endless variety of tasty delights that are simply impossible to resist.

The spacious Mercado da Ribeira, or the Time Out Market, is a bustling with people traditional food market where one can discover Lisbon's best under one roof. Offering succulent fruits and vegetables, delicious fish, and fresh dairy products, this completely refurbished food destination with the iron interior and the large central dome is simply a must-visit and one of the best places to eat in Lisbon.

Viktualienmarkt--the famous farmers' market and Munich's oldest open-air food bazaar which was founded in 1807 by King Maximilian I--is a wonderful place brimming with stalls that sell a wide variety of local agricultural produce. Boasting a plethora of lip-smacking food, this central market holds another surprise for the town's visitors: the very popular Biergarten, or Munich's Beer Garden, which serves daily traditional Bavarian meals, such as roasted pork knuckle, and mouth-watering roast pork.

Located between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat in the colourful De Pijp neighbourhood of Amsterdam, the busy Albert Cuyp Market is one of the oldest food bazaars in town with a delightful abundance of local bites. This busy open-air market offers everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to fresh fish and clothing six days a week, making it the perfect itinerary for all food lovers. Of course, don't leave town without tasting the mild Gouda cheese and the sweet Stroopwafel.