There are countries that are easy to travel in without a car. Not Oman. If you want to see the countryside of Oman you definitely need to rent a car. Best is to get it right upon arrival at Muscat airport. Pre-booking makes it a lot cheaper and you also get unlimited mileage (if you rent directly from the companies you only have 200km included per day).

Experiencing the countryside of Oman with a good 4×4 SUV is the best way.

2. Map.

It’s not easy to find a good map of Oman, but at least get any kind of map. One of the things that we noticed is that street signs are often  missing or sometimes the pointing of the arrows are unclear.

If you have a smart-phone just can get a phone card and then simply connect to Google maps – this can be handy at times, especially when driving through the desert or remote mountain regions. Keep in mind: for desert driving, check the map before because you’ll lose reception a lot. Plus one should have some desert-experience when doing this alone.

Street signs in Oman can sometimes be unclear, therefore be sure to bring a good map on your travels.

3. Accommodation.

In Oman you won’t come across various accommodations in every village, so you should better check out the places beforehand. Accommodation is pretty limited – which is good and bad at the same time. Some towns have “local” hotels that are cheaper than the ones found on the internet, but they are very rare.

If you’re adventurous enough, you can just camp instead. It’s great to spend a night out under the stars but of course you need some preparation for that as well…

4. Roads.

All the main roads are in excellent condition, but there is a lot of road construction going on, so signs are often non-existent or placed a bit confusing … if you miss an exit the highway you might have to drive 30km to turn around again. Also, it can be difficult to reach the other side of a town because there aren’t that many over-passes. We got lost a couple of times…

The unpaved trails through the mountains can be challenging at times, so one should have at least a bit of off-road driving experience – plus avoid driving when it’s raining cats and dogs. On the other hand the paved mountain roads can be very steep and you’ll come across road signs to switch into a lower gear. Don’t ignore these and drive moderate because the declines are sometimes really steep!

The street out of Muscat is in excellent condition, but be sure to know where to get off, because the next exit might be over 30km away.

It’s really amazing to see the progress of streets across Oman. You will come across amazing mountain valley with paved roads, even though there is no sign of a village for many kilometres.

Unpaved mountain roads in Oman definitely require a 4×4 car.

5. Food.

Muscat has huge supermarkets, so before you set out we’d suggest to buy some water, toilet paper and other essentials. In larger towns you’ll also supermarkets, but if you visit remote places you’ll be lucky to even find a little shop.

Restaurants are mostly run by Indians and serve great cheap curries of all variations with rice or Indian bread. This food is always fresh even if the place is small and doesn’t look very frequented … a lot of people order by phone and get it take-away. They just tend to look uninspiring, but they serve amazingly good food!

A simple home-made salad can save the day…

6. Petrol.

Nothing obvious here: A very great bonus is that petrol is so cheap in Oman. One liter costs roughly 0,30 € (!!!). Fill up your tank before heading off the beaten path because distances can be really long and the next petrol station might be hundred of kilometres away…

1. HafenCity.

The HafenCity can be found by the Hamburg Harbour and is the biggest town planning project of Europe. Attractive living spaces and complex monuments are built beside the Speicherstadt. A lot has been done and making it an interesting place to walk across.

The HafenCity in Hamburg. Photo credit by flickr member Ruth Flickr.

2. Blankenese – Süllberg.

Blankenese is a small village in the outskirts of Hamburg and it is well known for lovely villas facing the river Elbe. The steep hillside residences boast many tiny, pedestrian-only streets and 4,864 stairs. The Strandweg is home to the Strand Hotel, built in 1902, as well as several other cafés and restaurants. There are two lighthouses, a roman garden, a doll museum and many parks and walking trails in Blankenese.

Süllberg in Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit flickr member spityHH.

3. Reeperbahn.

Hamburg’s most popular street of St. Pauli is nightclub and red-light district as well. Besides red-light business you will also find many theatres, restaurants, music-clubs and discos.

The Reeperbahn in Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit flickr member werner boehm.

4. Hamburg from Above.

The “HighFlyer” is Hamburg’s highest vantage point and the largest captive balloon in Europe! From 150 metres above, you’ll have a great view over Germany’s most beautiful city.

Hamburg from above. Photo credit flickr member spityHH.

5. Hamburg Fischmarkt.

Thousands of people from all around the world are coming to the Fischmarkt at the Elbe river in Hamburg every Sunday morning. You’ll find dozens of stalls selling fish and everything else from food to plants and flowers, and household goods. In the old fish market building itself you can listen to great live music.

The Fischmarkt in Hamburg, German. Photo credit by flickr member Jan I.

If you have any other insider tips and/or ideas for great photo opportunities, please drop me a line below :) Thanks!

Obviously there are many more sights and places to be seen in Vienna, if you want more info, feel free to contact me via a comment below or an e-mail through the contact form (even when it comes to touristy places).

#1 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Ring Tour.

The Ringstraße is the road surrounding the inner city (1st district) of Vienna with some of the most famous sight like the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Parliament and City Hall. While wondering the street, take a side track into the lovely Burggarten to either rest a bit or to enjoy a cup of coffee in the Palmenhaus. Further along the way, you will come to the Votivkirche and then to the Danube Channel with many restaurants.
The Ring is definitely one of my favourite places in Vienna, simply because of the impressive buildings built around it and the atmosphere along the way…

I’m a huge Opera fan, and therefore the Vienna State Opera is almost my second home…

The famous Hofburg palace was the Habsburgers winter residence, as the Schönbrunn Palace was their summer residence.

Just across the Hofburg palace sits the Austrian Parliament with the Pallas Athena fountain in front of the main entrance.

#2 Must Visit When In Vienna: One, Or two, Or three Coffee Houses.

As a Viennese, I love a good cup of coffee. The Viennese Coffee House Culture is world famous – and since 2011 even an UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The Viennese coffeehouse is described in this inventory as a place “where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill.” And oh is that true! I wrote a separate article on my top 10 favourite coffee houses. Of course there are many more, but I think this gives you a goof impression on traditional and modern ones in all areas ov Vienna.

#3 Must Visit When In Vienna: Twin City Liner.

Vienna and Bratislava are the capital cities with the shortest reaching distance (in Europe). So, if you’re staying in Vienna for more than just the weekend, be sure to hop on the Twin City Liner to take a cruise to Bratislava. It only takes 75 minutes in each direction and you can check out two capitals in just one day.

#4 Must Visit When In Vienna: Schloss Schönbrunn (Including The Zoo) & Gloriette:

Schloss Schönbrunn: Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural monuments and tourist attractions in Austria. So why am I posting it here, since I promised to stay away from typical tourist attractions … Well, because there’s more to Schloss Schönbrunn than just the (very beautiful) castle; the park around Schloss Schönbrunn is a great little oasis in an otherwise busy city. It’s perfect for long walks or a little jog. Jogging grounds in Vienna are rare, so naturally the park can get pretty crowed … best to go there early morning or late in evening.

Winter tip: The Christmas Market in front of the castle is a must for every visitor and local.

Gloriette: The Gloriette in Vienna is the largest (and therefore most well-known) gloriette worldwide and is a nice café where you can refuel your energy.

The Gloriette was built in 1775 as the last building constructed in the garden of Schönbrunn castle. it was used as a dining hall and festival hall as well as a breakfast room for emperor Franz Joseph I.

Each year the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra plays an open-air concert at Schönbrunn Palace park. The admission is free and it has been held every year (around May) since 2004. Approximately 100.000 people come here every year.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn: The famous Vienna zoo was founded in 1752, which makes it the oldest zoo in the world.

How to get there:

• If you want to see the castle, take metro line U4 station Schönbrunn. For the zoo it’s better to take the metro line U4 until Hietzing (even though you can also walk through the gardens to reach the zoo).

Today Tiergarten Schönbrunn is considered and regards itself as a scientifically administered zoo which sees its main purpose as a centre for species conservation and general nature conservation as well as in the fulfilment of the education mandate given to it by the legislation.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn is one of the few zoos worldwide to house giant pandas. Apart from these there are other zoo attractions like the rainforest house, in which the spectator is led through a simulation of the Amazon rainforest, an aquarium, which enables spectators to walk through underneath a simulation of the Amazon in flood, and, more recently, an exhibit of animals in unnatural habitats.

#5 Must Visit When In Vienna: Naschmarkt & Brunnenmarkt.

Naschmarkt: The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s most popular market and a real hot spot. Whether you want to go out for lunch or after work-cocktails … one of the many bars/restaurants will suit you for sure. You can also buy yummy fresh fruits and vegetables from around the world, exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods, meat and seafood.

How to get there:

• The Naschmarkt is located at the Wienzeile in the 6th district of Vienna and is about 1.5 kilometres long. You can get there by metro line U4 station Kettenbrückengasse or Karlsplatz (also U1 and U2 go there).

Fresh Vegetables at the Naschmarkt in Vienna, Austria.

Brunnenmarkt: The Brunnenmarkt is the longest street market in Europe, located in the 16th district of Vienna and (in my opinion) the “new” Naschmarkt. Over the years, many lovely restaurants have popped up around the Yppenplatz, which is the extension of Brunnenmarkt. The setting around the entire area is trendy yet still very cultural, and that’s what makes Brunnenmarkt so diverse and “hot”.

How to get there:

• The Brunnenmarkt can be reached by the metro line U6 until station Thaliastrasse and then the tram line 46 until Brunnengasse.

Vegetables at the Brunnenmarket in Vienna, Austria.

#6 Must Visit When In Vienna: Lainzer Tiergarten.

The Lainzer Tiergarten is for those of who who would like to get away from all the hassle for a while. It’s a wildlife preserve in the 13th district of Vienna. Approximately 80% of it is covered in woodland, so it’s a perfect destination for long walks. Back in 1561, it was used as a fenced-in hunting ground for Ferdinand I of Austria and his family. What’s really lovely about this place is that your trip can either be topped with a yummy lunch/coffee at the café or a visit to the museum in the Hermesvilla (or both of course). Emperor Franz Josef I gave this chalet to his wife Empress Elisabeth (better known as “Sissi”) because she was a huge nature fan and wanted a place for her own. Not bad huh?

How to get there (Lainzer Tor):

• Take the tram line 60 until Hermesstraße, or bus number 55A until Lainzer Tor

Hermesvilla is a palace in the Lainzer Tiergarten, in Vienna, a former hunting area for the Habsburg nobility. Today it’s home to a café and museum great for weekend visits.

The name Hermesvilla refers to a statue of Hermes made of white marble that is located in the garden of the villa. Empress Elisabeth aka “Sisi” called it the “castle of dreams.“

The Lainzer Tiergarten is a wildlife preserve in mostly home in the 13th distinct of Vienna. 80% of it is covered in woodland with alleys for runners and walkers leading through the forest. My favourite time of the year to go there is autumn where the colours are simply amazing.

#7 Must Visit When In Vienna: A Typical “Heuriger”.

A Heuriger is a typical Austrian wine tavern where pretty much all you get is wine and a limited variety of cold food (bread with cheese, etc.). A Heuriger isn’t open all year around; typically only two to four weeks per year. It’s a really nice experience because it’s some very traditional and typical for Austria so if you’re visiting during the “Heurigen” season, be sure to check one out. The 19th and 23rd district, as well as Perchtholdsdorf (South of Vienna) are the classical areas.

My “Heuriger” tip: Heuriger Kurt Pröglhöf (Am Goldbieglberg 5, 2380 Perchtoldsdorf) or any Heuriger in the 19th district.

A typical Heurigen get together. The name was given to Eastern-Austrian wine taverns in which wine-growers serve the most recent year’s wines.

At a Heuriger, you will only get the owners own wine, and it serves a limited selection of cold food as an evening meal, generally local, homemade products.

#8 Must Visit When In Vienna: Wiener Zentralfriedhof (Vienna Central Cemetery).

Some may find this sight a bit macabre but I think that the Zentralfriedhof is an amazing place in Vienna and therefore I want to include it. The Viennese Central Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Austria and Europe’s second largest (Hamburg-Ohlsdorf is the largest). It opened its gates in 1874 and is a great place to visit since it displays Austrian history throughout the last 200 years. The Karl-Lueger-Kirche is the Art Nouveau-style church and once of the most famous buildings at the cemetery. it’s located in the centre of the cemetery. From the Main Gate an avenue leads to the “graves of honor” reserved for famous personalities. Some of the notable persons laid to rest here are Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Johann Strauss (son and father).

My tip: Take a walk through the Jewish cemetery and you might get lucky by spotting a deer – yes, the cemetery is THAT big :)

How to get there:

• Take the metro line U3 until the station Simmering and then with the tram line 71 or 6 until Zentralfriedhof

The Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) is one of the largest cemeteries in the world, largest by number of interred in Europe and most famous cemetery among Vienna’s nearly 50 cemeteries.

Passing through Gate 1 of the Central Cemetery, the way will lead you towards the old Jewish section, a field of graves with many remarkable monuments. Among others, Arthur Schnitzler and Friedrich Torberg are interred in Group 6.

#9 Must Visit When In Vienna: Otto Wagner Church.

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church in the 14th district is an absolute must when visiting Vienna. Designed by Otto Wagner, it’s considered one of the most important Art Nouveau churches in the world. The copper-covered dome (which looks a bit like half a lemon) is visible from quite a distance.

How to get there:

• Option 1: Metro Line U4 until Unter St. Veit and then Bus 47A untilPsychiatrisches Zentrum
• Option 2: Metro Line U3 until Ottakring (last stop) and then Bus 48A (also starts from the bus station Dr. Karl Renner Ring) until Psychiatrisches Zentrum

If you have enough time and are interested in nice architecture, the Otto Wagner Church is an absolute must when visiting Vienna.

#10 Must Visit When In Vienna: Haus des Meeres.

The Haus des Meeres is a public aquarium located in the 7th district of Vienna. The aquarium itself is nice, but not that special compared to other aquariums in the world. Although not too many aquariums are located inside a tall concrete flak tower built during World War II, so I guess that’s kinda special. The best part about the Haus des Meeres is the rooftop cafe/restaurant. It’s one of the only public places in the city centre where you really have a complete 360° view. It’s truly spectacular and therefore one of my favourite spots in the city!

How to get there:

• Option 1: Metro Line U3 until Neubaugasse and bus lines 13A, 14A, 57A (stop “Haus des Meeres”).

The view up from the Haus des Meeres is truly spectacular. You can see Vienna in all its beauty.

Vienna from above. On the left side you can see St. Stephens Cathedral and also Viennas highest building, the DC tower in the distance.

The Haus des Meeres offers some of the best views of Vienna. Its rooftop terraces offers a 360° view.

Other Day-Trip Possibilities Around Vienna.

• A visit to Burg Kreuzenstein
• A day trip to the world heritage site Lake Neusiedl
• An excursion to the Falkensteiner Hütte

The Old Towns Spare is one of the most visited places in Prague. No wonder. You’ll not only find the scary looking Gothic Tyn Church there but also the world famous Astronomical Clock. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. Before leaving for Prague, my mum told me that my great great grandfather was one of the few people who knew how to repair this clock and therefore was one of the even fewer people who got his hands dirty repairing it…Pretty cool huh?

Old Town Hall Tower in Prague, Czech Republic.

Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic.

Tyn Church at night in Prague, Czech Republic.

2. Prague Castle.

Of course one of the biggest attractions is the Prague Castle with St. Vitus Church and the Golden Lane. It is the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Prague was so tightly bound to what we call Western Europe today, that in the 17^th century it was enough to through two catholic town councils and a secretary out of the Prague Castle to start a war; a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe…

The view of Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Petrin Tower.

Walking around the Prague Castle will leave you all alone in certain parts.

The walls of Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the Czech Republic..

The Cathedral of St. Vitus had a tremendous influence on the development of Late Gothic style characteristic for Central Europe.

The Golden Lane inside the Prague Castle dates from the 15th Century and has a beautiful, olden world quaintness about it. It comprises 11 historic houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the artisans who once worked, ate, drank and slept in them.

The name “Golden lane” inside Prague Castle is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold.

3. Petřín.

Petřín is a hill in the center of Prague with an Eiffel Tower like tower on top. From up there, you have a stunning 360° view of the city. Sooo worth seeing!

Petrin tower in Prague, Czech Republic.

The view over Prague from Petrin Tower.

Railway up to Petrin in Prague, Czech Republic.

4. (John) Lennon Wall.

To be honest, we didn’t plan on visiting the John Lennon Wall. We heard about it, yet it didn’t capture our attention. We reached the wall by accidents when walking through the side alley near Charles Bridge – and we were not disappointed. It once was a regular wall, but since the early 1980’s it was continuously filled with John Lennon inspired graffiti. Why? Well, in 1988 Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time. This led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge. The movement these students followed was described (ironically) as “Lennonism”. What’s so great abut this place is that it constantly undergoes change because people still paint/write on the wall.

John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.

Lover’s locks near the John Lennon wall in Prague, Czech Republic.

5. The Old Jewish Cemetery.

The Old Jewish cemetery in Prague truly fascinated me; It’s one of the most well known cemeteries in Europe because of the way the tombstones are arranged. Even though the entry isn’t cheap, it’s worth every single cent. A huge must see!

Inside the museum of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.

Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic.

1. “Christkindlmarkt” Schloss Belvedere.

The Christmas market at the Belvedere in the 3rd district of Vienna is one of the rather unknown, or better, one of the fewer visited. I love this market because of its wonderful setting. Sure, there are others in front of castles or churches as well, but this one is pretty “small” compared to the others and that’s the big plus. It’s not too crowded and the audience isn’t just there to drink ’til they drop.

• Address: Prinz Eugen-Str. 27, 1030 Vienna
• How to get there: Tram D (Station “Schloss Belvedere”) or Subway U1 (Station “Südtirolerplatz”)

The Christmas market is on the backside of the Belvedere.

The setting at the Christmas market at the Belvedere is really lovely.

Christmas baubles and other cute little items can be bought at almost every Christmas market in Vienna.

The back side of the Belvedere castle (called Unteres Belvedere) is quite a sight and well worth a visit.

2. “Christkindlmarkt” Karlsplatz – divina art.

The art market in the “Resselpark” is one of the nicest and most visited Christmas market in Vienna. You’ll find unique designed items like hats, bags, belts, jewellery or vases, which really make a perfect Christmas gift. People work all year to sell their artefacts on this market. Getting one of the stalls is not easy though … you have to apply one year ahead and show your art work in front of an experienced commission. They decide whether it’s “good enough”, and if it is, you just need enough cash to pay for the rent. What I love about this Christmas market and its Punch stalls is that most of them offer concentrate free punsh, which has unfortunately become very rare,

• Address: Kreuzherrengasse 1, 1040 Vienna
• How to get there: Subway U4, U1 or U2 (Station “Karlsplatz”)

The Christmas market in front of the Karlskirche is a highlight for every visitor.

Hat stall at the Christmas market around the Karlsplatz.

3. “Christkindlmarkt” Schloss Schönbrunn.

Every year visitors from all over the world come to the Christmas market at Schloss Schönbrunn because of its enchanting setting; the gigantic Christmas tree in front of the Baroque castle appears as a perfect setting for the romantic Advent village. Huge Must if you’re in Vienna!

• Address: Schloss Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna
• How to get there: Subway U4 (Station “Schloss Schönbrunn”)

The Christmas market in front of Schloss Schönbrunn castle is a romantic sight.

All kinds of Christmas accessories can be bought at the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn castle.

4. “Christkindlmarkt” Altes AKH.

What’s special about the Christmas market in the old General Hospital (= Altes AKH) is that from the outside it’s really inconspicuous. If you didn’t know that something was happening inside, you most probably wouldn’t go in. If you do though, a cute little winter village will welcome you.

Nowadays the grounds are part of the University campus and therefore many younger people hang out here.

• Address: Alser Straße 4, 1090 Vienna
• How to get there: Subway U2 (Station “Schottentor”), Tram 5, 33, 43 & 44 (Station “Lange Gasse”)

A typical food hut at a Viennese Christmas market.

Christmas stars.

Christmas accessories.

5. “Christkindlmarkt” MQ.

The “Winterdorf” (in English winter village) at the MQ is the most modern Christmas market in Vienna. In six “ice-pavilions” with great atmosphere, visitors can expects a hip crowd, great Punsh variety (which was the best at the “Glacis Beisl”) and delicious treats. If you’re looking for “Kitsch” and a typical “Christkindlmarkt”, this one will not satisfy you. There are no stalls; it’s all about drinking & eating.

• Address: Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
• How to get there: Subway U2 (Station “Museumsquartier”) or U3 (Station “Volkstheater”)

The stylish Christmas market in the Museums Quartier.

The visuals are eye candy in the MQ.

6. “Christkindlmarkt” Rathausplatz.

The Christmas market in front of the state house is probably the most famous in Vienna and a real tourist attraction. Most Viennese tend to avoid it though because it’s overcrowded & overpriced, yet the setting is really wonderful and so a quick look does no harm. The gigantic “heart-tree” (photo below) is just one of many decorated highlights.

Tip: Watch your belongings! Pickpockets know that tourist love coming here and therefore good money can be made easily. This is pretty much the case at every Christmas market but the larger the crowd, the easier it get for them…

• Address: Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 5, 1010 Vienna
• How to get there: Subway U2 (Station “Rathaus”)

The only thing I like about the Christmas market in front of the Rathaus is the decorated park. But tourist love this place never the less due to the impressive setting right in the city centre.

You can buy your Christmas baubles at the markets (if you have the cash).

I have to admit that even though I don’t like the Christmas market in front of the Rathaus, it’s quite an impressive sight.

7. “Christkindlmarkt” Mauerbach, Lower Austria.

The Christmas market in Mauerbach is well known in and around Vienna. This “Christkindlmarkt” is limited to two weekends each year and therefore the rush is high.

• Address: Silentium-Kartause / Kartäuserplatz 2, 3001 Mauerbach
• How to get there: Honestly, it’s best to get there by car, but if you depend on public transport, take the U4 subway to “Hütteldorf” and from there bus Nr. 249 or 250 until Mauerbach.

The “Christkindlmarkt” in Mauerbach in front of the monastery.

The “Christkindlmarkt” in Mauerbach in front of the monastery.

Exploring the wet market in Singapore.

If you arrive in a different city and want to see the real life, markets are the best place to do so. Most of the times, you’ll be the only white person there, because a lot of “regular” travellers don’t dare to go there. That’s a big mistake…but that’s just my opinion.

Since we recently stayed in Thailand for two weeks and had a bit of bad luck with the weather on Koh Kood island, we had four days in Bangkok before returning home. I’ve heard from many people that Bangkok is not that special and there really isn’t that much to see. Well, what can I say?! I’ll have to prove them wrong ;) Here are 6 markets you shouldn’t miss:

Klong Toey Fresh Market.

Klong Toey Fresh Market is Bangkok’s biggest fresh market. This market almost seems like a little village within Bangkok. Why? Two reasons: First, it’s so huge that just by walking around in the district Klong Toey, you’ll somehow end up at the market…there’s no need to walk through little side alleys to get there. And second because you simply find everything you need. Whether it’s food, stationary, kitchenware or cloths. Plus, the district Klong Toey is the biggest slum & sea port area in Bangkok, so there’s a crowd around all the time. It’s a big must for every market fan!

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily from 6.00 am – 2.00 am
• How to get there: Take the MRT subway to Klong Toey station, exit up the escalators and then walk east on Thang Rakfaiko / Rama IV Road for ten minutes until you reach the large intersection of Rama IV and Narong Road. The market will be on your right-hand side. Or, you can take bus numbers 45, 46, 72, 102, or 107 to the area.
• What to find there: Meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, herbs & spices, cloths – pretty much everything you need.

The main building of Klong Toey market.

Street vendors can be found all around Khlong Toey fresh market.

Dead frogs are just one of the many gruesome things you will come across at Khlong Toey fresh market.

A small, hidden village deep within the Bangkok busy city jungle; Khlong Toey fresh market seems to have a life of its own.

Klong Toey is a very ‘fresh’ market, offering low prices on raw meat, seafood, farm produce, and other items.

There’s also a fruit section at Klong Toey.

Fresh crabs are a speciality at Khlong Toey fresh market.

Porters roam the streets of Khlong Toey fresh market, waiting for customers to uploading their latest purchases.

Mahachai Market.

Mahachai is a small town located about 45 kilometres southwest of central Bangkok. Mahachai is famous for one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand. It’s one of the main seafood distribution centres that feeds the hungry population of Bangkok. Seafood producers from the entire country come here to sell their catch. As soon as you arrive at the market, the smell of seafood sticks with you even after you leave the market.

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily from 6.00 am
• How to get there: Either go by car, or if you want a bit of an adventure, take the train. The train to Mahachai leaves from Wongwianyai station. Take the BTS to Wongwianyai and from there you have to walk a couple of minutes to get to the station. Make sure you get your ticket before you get on the train (cos about 10 Bath per person).
• What to find there: Fresh fish, dried fish, crabs, shrimps and a southeast Asian specialty: Blood.

Mahachai market and the railway live next to each other, so when the first train arrives from Bangkok, vendors have to move their wares off the tracks for the train to pull into the station.

Even if you’ve never heard Mahachai market, you’ve probably seen a video of a train going through a tightly packed market, where market stalls are set up on the rails.

Fresh fish can be found all over Mahachai market, this unfortunately also includes sharks & shark fins.

Mahachai Market is one of Thailand’s largest traditional fresh seafood markets, where visitors will find all sorts of fish – fresh, or dried.

Dried fish can be found all around Mahachai market. Drying food is the world’s oldest known preservation method, and dried fish has a storage life of several years. The method is cheap and effective in suitable climates.

One might not like to think about this, but blood is one of the most important ingredients in the southeast Asian cuisine. At Mahachai market, you will come across many stall like the one above.

Chatuchak Market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ) is one of the world’s largest weekend markets. It covers an area of almost 30 Acres, is divided into 28 different sections & contains more than 15.000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand. You can imagine my face when I stepped out of the BTS train and saw this huge market…jaw dropping. Chatuchak Market is a very popular shopping destination for Thais but has also become very popular with tourists. Thais from all over the country come here to buy goods for their local shop. Each day, about 200.000 visitors come here (30 % tourists). You can pretty much find everything there, from books to antiques to live animals and plants.

Yes, Chatuchak Makret sounds like a true shopper’s delight. For me, it was much less than that; not only am I not a fan of huge gatherings, but also the entire area was simply too large. As soon as we stepped out of the BTS train, the crowds started showing up. The way from the BTS station to the entrance of the market was maybe only 100 meters, yet it took us almost 15 minutes to get there. Viewing the market from above (from the bridge from the BTS station to the market area) still made it all quite clear but as soon as we were down in the crowd, our orientation got lost. I suggest that you go with the flow, because otherwise you’re just going to struggle. They’ll lead you somewhere anyway.

Tips.

• Chances of getting lost in the crowd are high. If you’re there with a friend, make sure you conclude a meeting point before.
• Wear comfy shoes; you’ll walk a lot.
• Drink, drink, drink…you’ll sweat like a pig so keep your water level high!

Facts.

• Opening hours: Saturdays & Sundays from 9.00 am – 6.00 pm and Fridays from 6.00 pm – midnight. The plant sections are also open on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 7.00 am – 6.00 pm.
• How to get there: Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station; take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd.
• What to find there: Ah well, you’ve 30 Acres of pretty much everything you need (or don’t need).

Just follow the crowd to Chatuchak market.

Chatuchak weekend market is a great place for good quality fabric and excellent tailors.

Foos stalls at Chatuchak market offer all sorts of different cuisines.

One of the many aisles at Chatuchak market.

Food stalls are all around Chatuchak market; 200.000 mouths need to be fed every day ;)

Bo Be Tower Clothing Market.

Bo Be market has been known as the centre of garment wholesale for over 30 years. Today there are well over 1.300 shops under one roof making Bo Be the biggest garment wholesale centre in Thailand. Furthermore, Bo Bae offers you shipping services to send your cargo worldwide. It is THE place for all types of clothing, for men, women and children; casual and formal. I liked this market because it was not so over run by people. And I actually bought something for a change ;) A shirt for my dad for about 40 bath…pretty darn cheap.

Facts.

• Opening hours: Daily
• How to get there : Taxi or Bus no. 1, 4, 7, 25, 53
• What to get there: Cloths (including traditions Thai cloths), shoes, bags, etc.

Bo Be market in Bangkok is a real jeans paradise.

Bo Be market is a great spot for children’s cloths at a very low price.

Saphan Khao Fruit Market.

I have never seen so many fruits in one spot as on the  Saphan Khao Fruit Market. Truly unbelievable! Tons and tons of different fruits. You’ll get every exotic fruit there is right here. We were told that all of Bangkok comes here for fruits; whether it’s the local food vendor from next door or the chef of a five star restaurant. Saphan Khao is THE place to go to!

Facts.

• Opening Hours: Daily from 6.00 am – 6.00 pm (as far as the taxi driver told me correctly)
• How to get there: Bus no. 2, 59, 60, 79, 511 or Taxi
• What to get there: All kind of fruits in huge quantities.

A visit to a fruit market with dragon fruits, mangoes, melons, pineapples and star fruit piled up agains each other is a definite must. In Bangkok there is no better example of such a place than the Saphan Khao Fruit Market.

Whether you’re looking for fresh watermelons, or pretty much any other fruit, Saphan Khao is the right place.

We’ve never seen so many pineapples on one single spot. The Saphan Khao fruit market is a real delight, also thanks to the lovely smell of fresh fruits.

You can buy as many truck-loads of pineapples as you want at Saphan Khao fruit market.

Mangoes are one of our favourite fruits and at Saphan Khao market, you’ll find tons of the most yummy mangos you’ll ever come across.

Pak Klong Talat Flower Market.

Pak Klong Talat is a large wholesale flower market. Merchants travel here from all over Thailand to sell their flowers and wandering the streets here is a colourful and fragrant experience. Out of all the markets, this one was the least “spectacular”; not because there was nothing to see but more because by the time we got there it was 3.00 pm and the “trading traffic” was over already. Next time I’ll be there at 2.00 am, cause that’s when the business starts at Pak Klong Talat.

Facts.

• Opening hours: 2.00 am – 6.00 pm
• How to get there: The market is on Chakphet Road. You can either get there by Taxi or with the Express Boat (station Saphan Phut) and then by foot.
• What to get there: Flowers, flowers & more flowers.

Lots of lovely smelling flowers can be found at Pak Klong Talat market.

Pak Khlong Talat is the primary flower market in Bangkok and is also called a “place of symbolic values” to Bangkok residents”.

You’ll definitely find the right flower for your loved one at Pak Klong Talat flower market.

If you’ve read the entire article (or just looked at the photos), you’ll realize that the markets in Bangkok are a big must. Not only for fans like us but everyone. If you have the time, stay a couple of days longer and simply stroll the streets of this super exciting city. You won’t regret it. These markets will give you an impression of Bangkok that will stick with you, away from the tourist traps.