The beaches and the Parthenons were great and all, but what you really treasure from your trip is the needle-in-the-haystack score from the street market you tumbled across. We picked our favorite lesser-known markets for an around-the-world shopping spree.

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Walking Street
Why: Locals shop here. It’s cheaper than the touristy Night Bazaar and has better-quality goods. Sundays only.
Try: A heavenly hour-long foot-and-shoulder massage for less than your daily soy chai latte.
Buy: Everything. But especially the gossamer cotton long-sleeved shirts with notch necks. And the raw and finished silk pillowcases in amazing colors and prints.

London: Old Spitalfields Market
Why: As soon as it’s on the runway, the knockoff shows up here. A destination way before the East End was hipster heaven, the market is under a roof. (Read: no shopping in the rain.)
Try: The weekly fashion market on Friday.
Buy: Accessories that define London street style — belts, bags, scarves (for much less than in stores).

Kutztown, Pennsylvania: Renningers
Why: On Saturdays, it’s a triple threat: farmer’s, antiques, and flea markets. Shop and eat!
Try: To get there before sunrise. Only early birds get the bargains here.
Buy: Anything your heart desires. Like a pink and green Formica table from the ’50s. Or a Tweety Pez dispenser.

Buenos Aires: San Pedro Telmo Antiques Fair 
Why: Total entertainment in the colonial district: tango dancers, musicians, mimes, and the best antique stores and stalls in Argentina. Sundays only.
Try: To tango with the performers on the Plaza Dorrego.
Buy: Beautiful old chandeliers, antique silver bolos and bridles from long-gone gauchos, ancient apothecary bottles, and whatever catches your eye on the Crafts Walk on the Calle Defensa.

Marrakesh: The Souks
Why: It’s Marrakesh. Isn’t this where street markets were born?
Try: To find dealer Blaoui Mustapha (+212-44-38-52-40). Fashion editors and design gurus can’t get enough of his stuff.
Buy: Moroccan ironwork or babouche slippers along the Souk Smarine; real kohl for your eyes in the Rahba Kedima.

Los Angeles: Peddler on the Roof
Why: The latest and greatest flea market in town sells designer wares, jewelry, handbags, tees, sunglasses, and such from the roof of a parking garage in H’wood. Saturdays only.
Try: To tear yourself away from the DJs spinning. You’re here to shop.
Buy: Unisex leather Dean bags and sample sale prices on Lynn/Linh and Szulika.

Amsterdam: Waterlooplein
Why: Amsterdam’s oldest market is still the liveliest. Vendors sell everything: paper lanterns, Indonesian batiks, ironic tees.
Try: To haggle. It’s the way here. (Plus, anything to save a Euro.)
Buy: Tchotchkes and secondhand books to read during your hours at the (ahem) coffee shop.