North Africa's medina markets trade in spices, textiles and crafts within layouts that have changed little for centuries, often built around a single old quarter at the heart of the city. West Africa's markets add a louder, equally compelling alternative further south, built around fresh produce and daily trade rather than tourism.
The destinations on this list range from ancient walled markets with centuries of continuous trading history to large open-air markets built around fresh produce, textiles and crafts. Some operate daily, while others run only on specific market days each week.
Going early and expecting to negotiate tends to make for a considerably better experience across most of the continent's market culture, where fixed pricing is rarely the norm and the process is as much social ritual as negotiation.
