8 Best World Cities for Bargain Shopping

While we are usually excited about travelling and seeing the world, we also like to bring back gifts and souvenirs from our visits. And the best souvenirs are those that you find cheap and brag about when you get home. If you too love bargain shopping at flea markets and street shops, here's a look at 8 fashion-frenzied cities where you can travel and shop in style without paying hefty prices.

List of best places for bargain shoppers

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

A silver lining to the currency devaluation and an economic crisis of Argentina is that Buenos Aires has emerged as a hotspot for Latin American design in housewares and clothing. You can easily while away several hours at the chain stores of Calle Florida or in the Palermo Soho area choosing exquisite antique housewares at other bargain buys. Travellers can find items at comparatively cheaper rates at fares occurring in Fiera San Telmo and Plazza Serano. If you are a fan of vintage clothes ranging from 80s patterned blouses to tango dresses, Mercado San Telmo is the perfect place to hop in. One can find fruits and vegetable vendors along side antiques and funky item sellers.

2. Hoi An, Vietnam

Considered the shopping capital of Vietnam, Hoi An is known for its 100 plus shops that offer pure silk and cashmere stuff for cheap. Stroll down Tran Phu Street to buy high-quality original artworks or visit the Central Market area to get a three-piece tailored wool suit. There are a few pocket-friendly places like Hoi An night market and Hoi An Silk Village for bargain buys that not only offer the best price but also quality products.

3. Sao Paulo, Brazil

With shopping malls full of great bargains for Brazilian shoes and clothing, you'll be able to get your hands on some great deals for the latest fashion trends. Despite being an upmarket fashion district, you can parade around Rua Jose Paulino or Iguatemi for great merchandise at reasonable prices. There are many street markets that sell crafts, knick-knacks, cheap watches and other bargain buys. Bras being one of the popular areas has over a thousand shops selling clothes and other artistic merchandise.

4. New York City

A gold mine of priceless finds, New York City is home to a multitude of boutiques and chain stores. You can head to B&H on Ninth Avenue for electronics or take your pick of clothing bargains between Fifth and Eighth Avenues. If you're looking for discounted designer clothing and accessories, look no further than Century 21 on Cortlandt Street. Of course, you can't miss out on the massive sales at Macy's and Lord & Taylor with discounts of up to 70%.

5. Bangkok, Thailand

With low prices and a vast selection of clothing, textiles, housewares and knock-off electronic products, you could easily spend days in Bangkok immersed in retail therapy. Start with the shops in and around Siam Centre and Siam Paragon on Sukhumvit and work your way through the malls on Petchburi Road like Platinum Fashion Mall, which is fantastic for cheap clothing. There are some markets like the Pratunam Market and Chatachuk market that offer dirt cheap prices. The later one is said to be the biggest weekend market of the world selling everything ranging from wood carvings, pottery, ceramic wares to different items of furniture.

6. Shanghai, China

With the added bonus of being able to bargain with vendors almost everywhere, Shanghai is a fantastic place to shop for non-branded clothing, accessories, shoes and art at super low prices. Visit Huaihai Lu and Shanxi Lu to shop for clothing and North Shaanxi Road for shoes. For ridiculously cheap fashionable glasses, there's Sanye Wholesale Market.

7. Bali, Indonesia

While once upon a time shopping in Bali used to be all about local Batik clothing, wood carvings and cheap souvenirs, the retail scene has come a long way. Bali has now become a major shopping destination in Southeast Asia for inexpensive yet stylish clothing, shoes, furniture, jewellery and housewares. For quality shopping in small boutiques, Seminyak is the best location, while the areas of Legian and Kuta are also popular shopping spots.

8. Barcelona, Spain

A sensational city for clothes shopping, you can find street fashion, young designers and chain stores battle it out along the streets of the central causeway, La Rambla in Barcelona. Everything is available around the central Plaça de Catalunya. If mall shopping is more like your thing, head to L'Illa on El Diagonal. Some popular markets include Portal Del Angel and Passeig De Gracia where one can spot breathtaking deals at major clothing brands like Pull and Bear, Benetton, Mango, Zara and more.

With such an extensive list, it's time to pack your bags; but leave enough space to stock up on the fabulous finds from around the world. Since bargain shopping can involve haggling over prices in crowded markets, there are chances of losing your valuables or pickpocketing. Invest in a good travel insurance to stay financially protected from such risks. Safe travels!