Guest Post: A foodie family guide to European markets

Whether you’re partial to Italian pizza, French seafood or German bratwurst, if you belong to a food-loving family, a European holiday is a delightful opportunity to try tantalising local delicacies.

With so much fab food on offer, it can be tough to stick to a budget. If you want to enjoy your food while still keeping costs down, why not try the almost magical experience of shopping in one of Europes many food markets?

European market shopping

Market shopping gives you a real sense of the types of food on offer in the area you’re visiting. It may inspire you to be adventurous and try new things. Perhaps best of all is that you get so much more value for money than in a cafe or restaurant. 

These authentic markets have a fantastic atmosphere, the fragrant smell of cheese, the buzz of the locals picking up supplies. Just visiting them is an experience the kids will love.

Another perk? Markets usually give you access to organically grown, locally sourced, super fresh food. This is a particular bonus if you’re on a mission to try local fish and seafood.

The best markets in Europe

Cours Saleya in Nice, France

This food and flower market is very popular, so be prepared to take on the crowds! Here you’ll find all sorts of French delicacies, and in the evenings it turns into a covered eating area for Al fresco dining.

Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid, Spain

Not only is this a great spot for picking up foodie treats, the Mercado de San Miguel is worth a visit from a more architectural standpoint. The market is based in an impressive Beaux-Arts building that dates back to1916. 

Marché des Enfants Rouges in Paris, France

This covered market in the Marais area of Paris has all the cheese and meats you could ask for. As an extra treat, it has a wide range of stalls selling ready-cooked ethnic-inspired foods.

La Vucciria in Palermo, Italy

This market may not look like anything special, but there are some real gems to be found here. It has a heavy Sicilian influence, and the delicacies available reflect the famous cuisine of Sicily.

Great Market Hall in Budapest, Hungary

This historic covered market in Hungary’s capital has three floors, and at one point even had a canal running through it. In fact, this market is so big there are guided tours on offer.

Tips for market shopping

• Get there early! The earlier you get to the market, the better selection there’ll be for you to choose from.

• Bring your own shopping bag - there’s no guarantee the market will provide you with one. Plus, it’s ‘greener’ to use your own, reusable bag.

• Make sure you have cash available, smaller denominations will be best.

• Ask sellers for advice on how to cook their produce in the local way.

• Look for stalls selling ready-made food. This can be just as tasty as restaurant food, but much cheaper.

• Go with your gut instincts and make sure everything you buy smells fresh and has been stored properly.

• Stay vigilant against pickpockets, and keep your money in a place that isn’t easily accessible. Consider taking out a travel insurance policy to cover you for loss or theft of cash.

• Europe’s local markets are sure to feed your foodie family’s appetite for culinary adventures. If you’re taking a trip to Europe this summer, visiting one of these markets is a great way to sample local delicacies without breaking your budget. 

This is a guest post, written on behalf of Money Matters, the Sainsbury’s Bank blog. All opinions given in this post belong to its author, and not to Sainsbury’s Bank. Though tips and information are offered in the post, it does not constitute advice and shouldn’t be considered as so. This post should not be used as a basis for any decisions, financial or otherwise. Sainsbury’s Bank accepts no responsibility for the views of external contributors, or for any of the external websites linked to in this post. The information in this post was correct at the time of publication.

Disclosure: This is a guest post and I received no form of compensation for hosting this article on my blog.