London has so much to offer to its residents and tourists. One of the most unique things that I have found about London is its markets. There are a plethora of markets around the area and it is impossible to see them all in one day. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to explore Maltby Street Market, Old Spitafields Market and Camden Market. Each market was unique and offered a different experience. Whether you are looking for food, clothing, jewelry or souvenirs to purchase for your friends at home, there is a market out there for you!

Maltby Street Market

Maltby Street Market was located behind Tower Bridge Road. When I first arrived a little past 1 p.m., I was overwhelmed by the large packs of people waiting in the lines to taste test whatever free sample of food they could find. The food stands were very authentic. One can find anything from Brazilian to Spanish or even African cuisines. As you make your way deeper into the market, you will without a doubt feel your mouth begin to water as you pass all the food stands. Not only does the market serve a great variety of food, but also a never-ending variety of desserts. Whether you are in the mood for a chocolate cookie, a cup of frozen yogurt or a waffle topped with any type of fruit or ice cream you can think of, you will find it at Maltby Street. Despite all the amazing food stands, there are also numerous little restaurants that are tucked away within the alleyway. One restaurant we found was St. John’s, which is well known for its fresh bread. If you get the chance to stop by Maltby Street, I highly recommend the Brazilian chicken wrap from the The Toucan. On your way out be sure to also stop for a giant chocolate chip cookie about the size of your head for only £2.

Old Spitalfields Market

Old Spitalfields Market was overwhelmingly filled with a variety of unique clothing, jewelry, handbags, rugs and even more. My first impression of the market was that it was an upscale thrift shop. You can go in and out of each market and search hours for clothing and jewelry that you would not find at your everyday shopping mall. I couldn’t help my eyes from being drawn to a “Lego Jewelry” stand. The woman at the stand has been making jewelry out of Legos for over eight years, and her business continues to boom. Making my way out of the market, I continued to pass other stands selling everything from animal skin rugs to pointed knitted baby hats. Antique dishes and mugs were also being sold. I highly recommend visiting old Spitafields Market if you are in a thrifty mood.

Camden Market

As I walked down Chalk Farm Road making my way to Camden Lock, I was instantly captivated by the outpour of individuals making their way in and out of the endless stands that make up Camden Market. As I looked left and right I could see art, jewelry, clothing, food and even the occasional ‘selfie stick’ stands. The market is huge and goes for at least a half a mile down the road. At Camden Lock, I walked further into the alleyways and was able to find even more art, jewelry, and clothing stands. The stands inside are much more fascinating and unique than the average ones closer to the main street. For example, deep into the market, I found Francesca, who designs white converse by painting any design you’d like. She is among the many interesting and creative people you can find there.

Camden market is huge and leaves you feeling exhausted. And hungry. But luckily, there is a huge selection in the food market of Camden. It may even beat Maltby Street with its variety of authentic foods. In addition to this, just about every food item can be sampled. So if you are smart (and on a budget) like me, take a walk around grabbing any and every sample you can possibly get. To eat, I highly recommend a flatbread from Mr. Piandina, ‘The Italian Street Food Revolution.’ The delicious Italian sandwich will leave you wanting to have another. Once you finish eating all of the free samples and your sandwich from Mr. Piandina, you will hopefully have room for one last dessert. Stop by the only crepe stand in the food market for a banana and Nutella crepe to finish off your day exploring. You may feel quite full afterwards, but I promise it will be worth it. When in London, right?