The world's best floating markets you must visit
Jamie Logan, Cruise Director of the Regent's World Cruise explores the floating markets outside Bangkok
If you are looking for a unique vacation idea, then consider visiting the world’s best floating markets. Depending on location, you can find a variety of merchandise sold by friendly merchants aboard these floating vessels.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi, Thailand
Part of the adventure is getting to the Damnoen Sudaek market as you will need to catch a tourist bus through coconut groves and take a traditional longtail boat. Once you arrive, bypass the souvenir hawkers to get to the food stalls where you will find a variety of gourmet delicacies, including freshly prepared noodles and fried spring rolls. Keep your camera at the ready to capture photos of the longboats filled with local produce coming into this market. Since the weather can get hot, it is best to start this experience early in the day.
Photo by Suhyeon Choi
Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam
If you love flowers, then you need to see the traditional houseboats selling flowers on the Singel Canal. While you can find a few fresh flowers here, like Amsterdam’s iconic tulips, you will find many more bulbs. Vendors carefully prepare for bulbs for export, allowing you to grow tulips and other flowers at home. Many of the vendors at this floating market have followed in their ancestors’ footsteps. This market has been open since 1862. You may want to plan your trip for March when the flowers are in bloom, but that can be a rainy month, so be sure to check AccuWeather’s forecast when making your plans.
Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho, Vietnam
You will need to arrive at this floating market by 5 a.m. for the best photo opportunities as merchants begin hanging their wares across long poles to attract tourists and locals alike. Each of the many boats sells only one item, so make sure that you visit many. By 6 a.m., you can be dining on a traditional breakfast of coconut leaf cake or pancakes made from bananas or corn. Then, wander around the boats selling local produce, like Nam Roi grapefruit, Vinh Long pink kiwi kumquats, and Cai Mon durians.
Floating Triveni Superstore in Alappuzha Region, India
You need to time your travel carefully to see the brightly colored red and white Triveni Superstore arrive at Alappuzha. The converted traditional houseboat carries many types of household goods. Before the market started in 2012, residents had to travel by ferry to the mainland to buy these goods. This can be an excellent opportunity to pick up the latest home goods at reasonable rates because the government greatly subsidizes the prices. Once the wooden boat arrives, it will only stay at a point for five hours, so check the local forecast to plan the best time to visit this floating market.
Maine Avenue Fish Market in Washington D.C.
The Maine Avenue Fish Market in Southwestern Washington, D.C. is the oldest continuously operating fish market in the United States. While this market is open seven days a week, the best time to go to this floating market is from Friday to Sunday when you can often find over 50 different kinds of fish, crabs, and seafood. Make your way along Water Street to see all the barges selling fresh fish.
Aberdeen Fishing Village in Hong Kong
Many people still use traditional fishing methods at Aberdeen Fishing Village. Then, they prepare and sell freshly caught seafood to tourists and locals in their floating restaurants. After your meal, stroll along the promenade to see traditional crafts being made. Then, end your day with a ride on a conventional sampan vessel. While you will want to check the weather forecast as the boats will not race if the weather is too stormy. You may want to consider visiting the Aberdeen Fishing Village during the dragon boat races held annually in late June or early July when you can expect temperatures to be about 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
These floating markets can be an enjoyable experience. You will want to choose the best floating market according to your criteria and put it on your travel itinerary after checking the weather to ensure that you have a beautiful vacation.
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