The best inexpensive food markets to visit in Europe during your summer holiday

MAKE for Med markets on your next break.

It’s a great and inexpensive way to get a snapshot of a destination’s local cuisine and pick up souvenirs.

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Here Renate Ruge picks five of the best for foodies.

Spain – La Boqueria in Barcelona

Mooch around to marvel at the country’s rich pickings, such as juicy watermelons, fiery red peppers and zesty oranges.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria in Barcelona is one of the country’s best, serving the Catalan capital for centuries on La Rambla.

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You won’t leave hungry.

The tapas made in front of you here rivals the city’s restaurants, with sizzling garlic prawns, crispy calamari, slithers of jamon (cured ham), pan e tomate (crunchy toasted bread with tomatoes drizzled in olive oil) washed down with a chilled glass of cerveza or sherry.

It’s great for people-watching too with local families gathering for plates of paella or grilled fish, and kids munching on spiral potato crisps on sticks.

And don’t miss the amazing chocolate shop, Escriba.

Three nights’ room-only at the 4H Hotel Alimara Barcelona is from £299pp including flights from Gatwick on September 6 and hold luggage.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

Malta – Marsaxlokk market

Stalls of the freshest seafood stretch along the harbour in the picturesque village of Marsaxlokk (pronounced marsa-schlock).

On Sunday mornings at Malta’s biggest fish market, tables are piled high with fresh swordfish and tuna.

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Stay for lunch to enjoy the catch of the day, such as lampuki and chargrilled octopus, or push the boat out and order lobster at a waterfront cafe.

And watch colourful luzzu boats bobbing about the bay.

You can also buy locally produced honey, wine and a rainbow of fruit and veg as the Maltese islands are packed with top-notch produce thanks to the sun-drenched location.

Discover exotic flavours such as candied peel, cloves and dates at capital Valletta’s indoor food market Is Suq Tal Belt.

Pastizzi — flaky puff pastry snacks filled with ricotta or mashed peas — are a must-try.

Seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Topaz Hotel in Bugibba is from £366pp including flights from London on September 6.

See travelrepublic.com.

Turkey – Kemeralti bazaar

No trip to Turkey is complete without a visit to a vibrant bazaar or medina, where you can mingle with the locals and barter for ceramics, textiles, spice and fresh food.

At Izmir’s Kemeralti bazaar there are sacks of exotic spices and boxes of jewel-coloured fruits from the peach, olive, quince and pomegranate trees of the Aegean countryside.

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Chillis and chamomile hang drying in bunches.

Taste plump sweet cherries and delicious dates along the way.

Tempting wafts of meat roasting on a spit entice shoppers to the square at the heart of the Medina where locals sip Turkish tea and strong black coffee.

Savour the best kebabs you will ever try, while Köfte or spicy meatballs in a tangy tomato and pepper sauce is a delish speciality.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Kusadasi is from £592pp including flights from Gatwick on September 14.

See loveholidays.com.

Italy – Ballaro market and La Vucciria in Palermo, Sicily

The vibrant buzz of stall hawkers selling their wares greets you at Palermo’s raucous Ballaro market, where exotic spicy scents transport visitors back to Moorish times.

You will find gigantic watermelons, fat lemons and oranges, wheels of aged Parmesan and mountains of mozzarella.

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Crisp cannolis, filled with creamy ricotta, are a must.

La Vucciria, Palermo’s oldest market, has stalls lining the streets around Piazza Caracciolo and Piazza Garrafello squares.

At “street food central” you can sample bacon wrapped around spring onions and charred on the barbecue, anchovies and baby squid in breadcrumbs, sardines stuffed with pine nuts and raisins and chickpea fritters.

Try a “driver” drink of chinotto spritz with soda which visitors are challenged to down as fast as they can.

Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Domina Coral Bay Sicilia Zagarella is from £758pp including flights from Manchester on September 27.

See onthebeach.co.uk.

France – Marché Provençal in Antibes, Provence

Potter about the Marché Provençal in the footsteps of famous painters Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso in Antibes old town.

The finest local produce is on display such as cheese from the mountains, strings of garlic, tomatoes in all shapes and sizes, punnets of strawberries and blueberries, olives and mushrooms.

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It opens at 6am daily and they pack up the food market around 1pm.

It’s a good excuse to breakfast on croissants and pastries or buy a crepe.

A steady flow of local rose with a perfect pink blush is served at the tiny cafes surrounding the market for a post-shopping pit stop.

Three nights’ room-only at the 3H easyHotel Nice Palais des Congres is from £425pp including Luton flights on September 6 and luggage.

See travelsupermarket.com.