The Saturday bazaar in Xanthi is one of the biggest and most authentic traditional markets in northern Greece. It has operated in the same location for centuries, and it shows: the format — farmers selling produce directly from their vehicles, stalls of textiles, tools, second-hand goods, household items, and local food products — retains its old-fashioned character despite the modern town around it.
The best time to arrive is early morning when the food stalls are fully stocked. The eastern character of the bazaar is unmistakable: alongside Greek merchants selling honey and olive oil, you'll find traders from the local Muslim Pomak community selling herbs and spices, Bulgarian vendors crossing the nearby border, and Roma craftspeople selling metalwork. The mixture is found nowhere else quite like this in Greece. It is finished by noon.