Top 10: Farmers' Markets

No.10 - Medina of Marrakech

LOCATION: Marrakech, Morocco

It’s hardly surprising that a city famed for its medinas is home to one of the world’s best farmers’ markets, the medina of Marrakech, also named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set against the backdrop of snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats, the medina, or souk, as Moroccan markets are otherwise called, is every bit as exotic and eclectic as you’d imagine. The largest farmers’ market in Morocco, it’s dusty, dirty and a foodie’s wet dream.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: trying traditional Moroccan cuisine. The experience of Moroccan fare found here is 10 times better than what’s served at some faux Eastern-themed restaurant inside a hotel chain.

No.9 - Union Square Greenmarket

LOCATION: New York City, U.S.

Established in 1976 to provide family farmers with a place to sell their wares, Manhattan's Union Square Greenmarket is the most famous farmers’ market in the city that never sleeps, with more than 250,000 shoppers per week cramming into the square to buy more than 1,000 different varieties of fruit and vegetables. Running on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the market has a typically Manhattan vibe about it, with crowds of boisterous New Yorkers jostling for everything they can get their eager hands on.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: trying some raspberry apple cider and local New York State cheeses.

No.8 - Stroud Farmers' Market

LOCATION: Cotswolds, U.K.

The hangout of the rich, famous and fabulous, the rural locale of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire is the perfect place to hold a thriving farmers’ market for discerning visitors and residents. The market takes place at the Cornhill Market Place, with more than 45 stalls spilling out onto the surrounding cobbled streets. Offering organic produce for trendy country bumpkins -- with up to seven organic producers selling everything any health-conscious cook could ever need -- as well as cooking demos from local celebrity chef Robert Rees and on-site entertainment, the market reaffirms the region’s position as a haven for foodies.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: trying the ice cream stall.

No.7 - The Viktualienmarkt

LOCATION: Munich, Germany

Within walking distance from the central square of Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, which dates back to the early 19th century, takes place every day and offers 150 colorful stalls. Supplying fresh regional food, the Viktualienmarkt has developed from a traditional farmers’ market into a gourmet paradise specializing in exclusive products. The market covers more than 22,000 square meters and is the perfect place to see a cross-section of the city’s residents.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: picking up some high-end specialties such as luxury flowers, exotic fruit, high-end game , rare spices, beautiful cheese, and fresh fish.

No.6 - Queen Victoria Market

LOCATION: Melbourne, Australia

Said to be the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere, Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market is renowned for its separate meats and delicatessen halls. Running from Tuesday until Sunday, this top farmers' market is based on the former site of a cemetery and takes place inside an imposing building that dates back to the Victorian era. The best part is the Suzuki Night Market, made up of 30 stalls that offer delectable dishes from around the world. The market differs from others with on-site entertainment, fairground rides and even a spa area.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: sampling its selection of regional fare such as chutneys, mustards, olive oils, and fudge.

No.5 - Santa Fe Farmers' Market

LOCATION: Santa Fe, U.S.

Stipulating that all produce must be sold by those who make it, you’ll always know where your food comes from at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Offering vegetables, fruit, cheeses, herbs, flowers, sauces, breads, and ciders -- all of which are grown and produced in New Mexico -- the market enables consumers to come into contact with the faces behind the products they buy. There are plenty of eccentric desert dwellers both vending and shopping, so the people-watching is always good. The market takes place every Saturday.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: an overstuffed burrito.

No.4 - Tsukiji Fish Market

LOCATION: Tokyo, Japan

The biggest fish and seafood market in the world and one of the largest food markets of any kind, the Tsukiji Fish Market in central Tokyo is populated by tourists jostling for a slice of the action. In fact, Japanese shoppers are few and far between in the two-million-square-foot space. Structured with stalls that are set against meandering narrow lanes, this is a market that means business. Although it's not technically a farmers' market, we include this on the list because of its sheer impressiveness and because of the abundance of screamingly fresh fish for sale.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: buying a fish you’ve never heard of. Supplying more than 400 different types of seafood -- from penny-per-fish miniature sardines to expensive sea-slug caviar -- the Tsukiji Fish Market imports from over 60 countries across six continents and handles more than 2,000 tons of fish daily.

No.3 - Marché Provencal

LOCATION: Antibes, France

The French are famed for their ability to produce good food, and it’s not surprising when you look at their large open-air farmers’ markets. Take Marché Provencal, situated along the French Riviera in the old town of Antibes: Brimming with all the gastronomic delights that the South of France has to offer, it’s a mystery how the stylish people of this region keep so slim. Offering heartbreakingly good food including olive oil, honey, lavender, wine, preserves, mustard, and spices, as well as other items such as clothing and pottery, the market is the perfect place to shop till you drop or simply sit in one of the adjacent cafés and people-watch.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: having a shot or two in the absinthe bar that’s located in the basement of one of the olive oil shops. Recently legalized again in France, this potent spirit will have you seeing stars -- and not of the celebrity kind.

No.2 - Borough Market

LOCATION: London, U.K.

Operating since the Roman times, Borough Market is London’s oldest farmers’ market and is every bit as noisy and boisterous as you’d expect an authentic shopping experience in the capital to be. Naturally, the London market specializes in traditional English pies and pastries, as well as cheeses, cakes and pâtés. There’s also a huge range of organic produce in addition to fresh fish and meat. Be sure to bring a strong shopping bag to carry all your provisions home in.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: Shoppers should try the fish at the greenhouse-inspired restaurant housed in the center of the market as well as delicacies such as freshly barbecued wild boar and arugula sandwiches and oversized salt-beef rolls.

No.1 - La Boqueria

LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain

Thought to be the largest farmers’ market in Europe, La Boqueria is centrally located along Barcelona’s trendy La Rambla boulevard and is crammed with vocal locals and forceful restaurateurs vying for the best produce. It isn’t only the atmosphere that’s worth coming for, either; as you’d expect from a coastal city, this top farmers' market has a huge seafood selection from Tuesday through to Saturday, offering the best tuna and baby cuttlefish your hard-earned Euros can buy. The fruit and vegetable stalls aren’t half bad, either, brimming with all kinds of brightly colored and oddly shaped produce. Feel free to bargain for the best deals.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT: any of the variety of exotic food on offer, including snails and dried insects.