6 Famous Markets Around The World To Shop From While Volunteering

Shopping makes an integral part of any travel expedition; even volunteering abroad. Most of the volunteer projects require the volunteers to devote their day to the project, and what they are left with are the evenings to explore and relax. And what does a traveler explore first in a new city? Places to eat and shop.

Volunteering Solutions understands this urge of shopping in volunteer travelers and has come up with a list of markets to visit while volunteering abroad. Take a look!

1. Chatuchak Market in Bangkok (Thailand)

The largest weekend market in the world and the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak is one of the most renowned marketplaces. There was a time when it was a hub for traders and merchandisers only, but today, it has turned into a popular tourist place. Covering a huge area of around 35 acres, the market houses more than 8000 shops to buy the best souvenir or almost anything you are looking for. Best weekend shopping option for volunteers in working in Bangkok.

2. Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesh (Morocco)

Take New York Time Square, expand it a little more, and enclose it with a number of shops and stalls to make a perfect square; that’s Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesh. Considered to be the charm of Morocco, this marketplace is full of merchandises you could think of buying from such a multicultural country. And it is not just the shops that fill the area, but also the team of snake charmers, henna tattoo artists, and magicians that keep the area alive. UNESCO declared Djemaa el Fna as the ‘Masterpiece of World Heritage in 2001’. We now know why.

3. Chandni Chowk in Delhi (India)

One of the busiest marketplaces in the capital city, Chandni Chowk is a true reflection of Old Delhi life. Narrow lanes, decades and centuries-old shops, busy traffic, street hawkers, it’s a mad rush. From finest fabric clothes to purest ornamented jewelry items, and a plethora of lip-smacking local food options. When volunteering in Delhi, a visit to Chandani Chowk is a must.

4. Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne (Australia)

Popularly known as the ‘Vic Market’ by the local people, the Queen Victoria Market is a major landmark in the city of Melbourne. It is the only market from the 19th century that still survives in the Melbourne central business district, and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. The market is a foodie’s paradise, to say the least, with a variety of local and foreign cuisines served fresh.

5. Souk of Fez (Morocco)

Fez is one of the oldest imperial cities in the colorful country of Morocco. And what keeps the old treasure of this city alive is its scintillating marketplace. Volunteers can buy a huge range of typical ancient Moroccan handcrafted materials; such as carpets, Moroccan pots, metalware, jewelry fine fabric clothes, locally grown fruits and leather goods, textiles & yarns, foodstuffs, henna. Make sure how much you want to spend, as the variety of options might make you end up emptying your pockets.

6. Johari Bazaar in Jaipur (India)

While volunteering in Delhi, India, volunteers get the opportunity to visit the pink city of Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan. The city, apart from its colorful lifestyle and rich food, is also known for its bustling marketplaces; especially, the Johari Bazaar. In Hindi, the word ‘Johari’ means a Gemologist, which goes to show the objects you mostly will find in this market; Yes! Finely crafted jewelry. Apart from the traditionally made jewelry, one can find traditional attires and accessories with some great artwork done on them.

 

Did this make you think again about how much to pack or how much space to leave in your travel case? Maybe you should think of carrying an extra one, and empty. Well, whatever be the case, one thing is for sure, that while volunteering abroad, you have plenty of options to shop and take back the souvenirs.

 

To know the details about volunteer project destinations, you can connect with our team of advisers at info@volunteeringsolutions.com or leave a comment below.