Posted on
November 11, 2025
in
Trip Ideas
Farmers markets are excellent venues for checking out the culture of a region. When travelers eat the foods that nourish a place, they learn what it's like to be a native. At IgoUgo, our members understand this, which explains their penchant for reviewing great farmers markets. Our top five market tours are a plateful of culinary bliss.
- Rialto Market, Venice
A market that historians say has been selling continuously for a millenium, the Rialto Mercato is chock-full of the food that makes Italy famous. For a taste of the perfect lunch, says aerynfaerie, buy a basket and shop for a picnic.
- Kona Farmers Market, Hawaii
Tropical fruits are the heart and soul of genuine Hawaiian cuisine. In the town of Kona, on the Big Island, the selection is simply exhaustive: “Local farmers sell organic produce, tropical flowers such as anthuriums of every hue, protea, orchids, star fruit, breadfruit, papayas, bananas, sugarcane, Ka'u oranges, vine-ripened tomatoes, and mango,” says golden101.
- Amish Market Battery Park, New York
Stuck in the city? Itching for a taste of genuine countryside eats? Barbara suggests the Amish Market for a lunch that's easy on the wallet: “I'd highly suggest this location to a family wanting a simple meal that won't break the bank before (or after) seeing the attractions in the Battery Park area,” she says.
- Outdoor Farmers Market, Arles
French gastronomie is legendary, so it's fitting that farmers markets are special events in themselves. For artsnletters, the bustle solidified the charm: "Inevitably, the streets will be choked with the local folk buying their groceries and carrying them away in straw baskets," she says.
- Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, Lancaster
We'd make a two in the bush” joke, but instead we'll marvel at the offerings: “The busy stands house offerings of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, preserves, spices and candy,” says jaebirdypie. “Among the non-food items are beautiful handmade quilts, leather goods, wooden handicrafts, and fresh flowers. Visitors may watch demonstrations in woodcarving, candle dipping, and fudge making as well.”
More Things to Do in These Places
Things to Do in Hawaii
Things to Do in New York
Things to Do in Venice
Posted by tdbeckwith (Thom Beckwith)