13 Markets to visit in London

Needless to say, London is known for its diverse and historical markets. Some have been running in the same place for more than 300 years.

For centuries markets have been at the core of the community, which explains how despite the commercial boom with supermarkets, these local markets managed to pull through.

Whether you are looking for international street food or searching for a piece of history lost through the vintage and antique markets, you couldn’t be in a better place.

With a wide range of stalls from flowers to fashion markets, here is our list of the most visited markets London in alphabetical order, as we just couldn't pick between them.

       1.   Alfies Antique Market

               Open 10 am – 6 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

Alfie’s Antiques Market has been London’s biggest antiques arcade since 1976.     

These four floors Egyptian-style building in Marylebone attracts collectors, bargain hunters and casual buyers alike, in a search of genuine vintage and antiques items.

You will find here around 100 dealers selling almost anything you could imagine from antique furniture to jewellery, homeware, artwork, retro clothing and pieces of history hidden in memorabilia.

The arcade is also known for its roof top kitchen and café, a true brunch oasis where people celebrate with a glass of prosecco their successful shop hunt.

     2.   Borough Market

           Full selection of stalls from 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Saturday, but the market is open Monday to Saturday.

Most of the Thames walks end up in Borough Market, as walking is not that enjoyable with an empty stomach. 

This iconic food market is a foodie paradise for Londoners and tourists, always crowded, always busy. And when you think that the market has existed in one form or another for around 1000 years, it is mind blowing.

Borough Market was defined then as now by its location at one end of London Bridge, for centuries the only route across the river.

This market is always full of culinary choices from street food to top-quality meats, cheese, fish, fresh baked bread, cakes, fruit and veggies, oils and vinegars. A place for stimulating all your senses.

And after all the eating and drinking before resuming your walk, one must use the loo. As a fun fact, the Market Hall toilet has topped the Loo of the Year Awards 2016.

     3.   Brick Lane Market

            Brick Lane Sunday Market open 11 am – 5 pm on Saturdays and 10 am – 5 pm on Sundays

            Shops, Galleries, Restaurants & other markets are open Monday – Sunday, varying times.

Whether you come for the flea market, the street art or the food, this market has a Universe of its own. Brick Lane is world famous for its street art, which features artists such as Banksy.

Artists from all over the world come here to paint for an appreciative audience. The street art is constantly changing.

The shops and restaurants are open every day, but the most popular day to visit is Sunday. There are street performers, good food and great bargains. You can find collectibles, old magazines, second-hand furniture and unusual clothes.

When it comes to food, people come here specially to try the authentic Jewish bagels. There are here two famous bagel shops that sell the best Salt Beef Bagels, creating the much debate which one is better. The Beigel Bake is open 24 hours, but don’t be surprise if at 2 am there will be a queue that reaches the streets.

     4.   Brixton Village and Market Row
                  Open 8 am – 11.30 pm everyday except Mondays when they shut at 6pm

If you are interested in trying foods from around the world, Brixton Village and Market Row are the place to be.

You can find here cuisines from Europe, India, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. Brixton is one of London’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods.

    5.   Broadway Market
            Open on Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm

Broadway Market is a Victorian street market situated in Hackney, North London.

The street market became over time a magnet for hipsters in search for vintage clothes, coffee, books, organic groceries, handmade gifts and street food.


In addition to the Saturday market, there are over 70 shops, cafés and restaurants open seven days a week.

    6.    Camden Market
              Open on every day, but full market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

This market is a mix of stores and stalls selling anything from souvenirs to clothes, vintage items, hand-crafted accessories and gifts.

The diverse street food, fresh baked sweet stuff and terrace bars attract tourists and locals every day.

You can find here street performers, tattoo artists and even tarot readers. An intense animated area that deserves a weekend visit.

      7.   Columbia Road Flower Market
               Open on Sundays from 8 am – 3 pm

This flower market located in Bethnal Green is a road of Victorian shops off Hackney Road.

On Sundays the street transforms into a colourful oasis of flowers. You can find here anything from bedding plants to 10-foot banana trees and herbs.

The intense flowers scent will mesmerize you. For the best selection arrive as early as you can to go through buckets full of cut flowers.

This street is composed of 60 independent shops like small art galleries, cup cake shops, clothes stores, pubs, cafés and restaurants. 

    8.   Covent Garden Market 
             Covent Garden Piazza is always open, but the shops usually operate between 10 am – 8 pm, Mondays to Saturdays and on Sundays from 11am – 6 pm.
             The Apple Market is open from 10 am – 6 pm
             The East Colonnade Market is open from 10:30 am – 7 pm.

Covent Garden is a shopping and entertainment hub in London’s West End.

This elegant car-free Piazza is home to fashion stores, craft stalls at the Apple Market, and the Royal Opera House.

Street performers animate the crowd, theatres draw people from all over the world to their plays and musicals. 

You can also find here the London Transport Museum that houses vintage vehicles.

    9.   Greenwich Market
                Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am – 5:30 pm

This historic indoor market is located within a World Heritage site, on Greenwich Peninsula and  it dates back to 1737. 

Greenwich Market has up to 120 stalls for antiques, art and other goods. There are here plenty of take-out bites too, at the 40 food and drinks stalls.

Since you are here already you could visit Cutty Sark or Royal Observatory for a breath-taking London skyline view or take a picture at the Meridian Line.

   10.   Herne Hill Market
              Open Sundays from 10 am – 4 pm

Spend a Sunday in this vibrant market packed with stalls selling locally produces food, both for eating on the spot and taking home, plus arts and crafts.

People appreciate this market for the excellent variety of products (all sourced within 100 miles of Herne Hill), tasty food, great local pubs and for its location close to the park.

A proper local neighbourhood market.

   11.   Maltby Street Market
              Open Fridays 12 pm – 2:30 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 4 pm

This outdoor street market below 19^th century railway arches has 30-plus fresh produce stalls.

Its very limited size and the picturesque character of the railway arches and decoration, encourages and allows for careful curation a churn of start ups and star traders, selling everything from high end condiments, to craft beer and Mozambique-style peri-peri meats.

A great spot that isn’t that busy to overwhelm you, but busy enough to keep you excited.

   12.    Old Spitalfields Market
                Open 7 days a week. Mon to Sat – 10 am – 6 pm, Thurs 7 am – 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm

Old Spitalfields Market is a covered market located in the heart of East London, just opposite of Liverpool Street station.

Open 7 days a week this market blossomed into a major shopping destination.

It has 44 retailers, 88 market stalls and 25 street food traders under one Victorian Market Roof, it is a perfect antidote to the high street.

People come here for contemporary and vintage clothes, home items, artisan food products, antiques (on Thursdays), and collectables. And it’s just a quick walk away from Brick Lane Market.

    13.    Portobello Road Market
                  Open Mondays to Wednesdays from 9 am – 6 pm, Thursdays from 9 am – 1 pm,
                  Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am – 7 pm

Portobello Road is a street in the Notting Hill district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London. It runs almost the length of Notting Hill from south to north.

This market is considered the world’s largest antiques market with over a 1000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectibles.

Visitors flock from all over the world to discover one of London’s best loved landmarks which contains the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain.

Portobello Road market is really 5 markets in one, with different sections dedicated to fashion, household essentials, second-hand goods, food and antiques.

 Comment down below if you know some other hidden market gems that people have to try when in London.

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