I’ve travelled to many countries across 5 continents so far and each place I go to, I am always on the lookout for a great local market. I’m not a big fan of shopping malls, nor am I a fan of crowds; however, I can’t keep from immersing myself in the hustle and bustle of a great local market. Yes, I’m a bit of a contradiction, I know; but a good local market is where all the local action is at. You can learn so much about the people, their culture, their language, their traditions, all by hanging out at the market. You can also discover incredible local delicacies, exotic fruits, delicious vegetables, and the most interesting local snack foods. It’s an absolute “foodie’s” paradise and a complete cultural haven. What tops any local market for me is a market exhibiting a vast collection of handicrafts by local artisans. The craftsmanship and artistry that can be found at these markets is astounding. It’s also the best place to pick up gifts for friends and families and souvenirs for yourself to remind you of your amazing adventure for many years to come.
One of the best handicrafts markets I encountered on my travels was the Mercado Indio in the suburb of Miraflores in Lima, Peru. I’m still kicking myself for not having picked up more of the wonderful treasures I found there. From vibrant textiles, to jewellery, alpaca clothing to paintings, this market had it all. Every time I moved from stall to stall I felt a surge of excitement build up as they were all so very different. I’ve been to plenty of markets where you see the same thing over and over again, but here, everything was so unique and exquisite. A few of my cherished souvenirs included a gorgeous sterling silver choker necklace, an alpaca woollen sweater, alpaca hat and gloves, a beautiful painting, a colourful woven blanket, and the most darling embroidered pot holder which has now been hung in the kitchen as artwork. To top it off, the locals were so very friendly and accommodating as I struggled with my Spanish, which at the time was quite bad. I enjoyed pleasant conversations with them, tried to understand the interesting stories told to me by some of the elders, and giggled with the children who welcomed me to play. And while all my experiences in Peru were remarkable, visiting that market still remains one of my favourite memories from my holiday.
Peru is a paradise for handicraft lovers so I can’t just mention the Mercado Indio without naming others, so here are a couple more fantastic local markets you must check out while in Peru:
Pisac Market
Pisac, a village in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River, is renowned for its wonderful artisan market that takes place every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Tourists flock here from nearby Cusco and locals abound as well. The town’s main square is filled to the brim on market days and the stalls are fully stocked with a vast array of local handicrafts from alpaca clothing, paintings, jewellery, weavings, paintings, pottery and more. This is definitely one market to scour when in the area.
Chinchero Market
Chinchero’s Sunday market is another great place to find local handicrafts and treasures. While it is smaller and lesser know than the markets in Miraflores or Pisac, there is still an abundance of unique gifts to purchase. Here you will also delight in seeing the indigenous Andean people in their traditional clothing, bartering and going about their business. A wonderful cultural experience!
Markets aside, Peru remains one of the top destinations I’ve visited and a place I’d like to one day return.There is so much to see and do here whatever your interest.Whether you are an active adventurer keen on hiking the Inca Trail and exploring the majestic mountains and valleys, or a pilgrim intent on discovering the magic and mystery of the ancient peoples, or simply an explorer happy to take in the sights, learn more about the culture and the people, Peru has it all.
~Daniela Masaro
