The award-winning Salamanca Market is Tasmania's most visited tourist attraction and one of Australia's largest open-air marketplaces. It is located next to Hobart's city waterfront on the historic square after which it is named. Every Saturday, locals and travelers flock here to pay tribute to a long-standing tradition. Some communicate with friendly sellers, some shop for fresh seasonal products, some rummage through vintage clothing and accessories, some look for unusual handmade souvenirs, some enjoy performances by street musicians, and some simply stroll and observe the lively atmosphere around.

The history of the Salamanca Market began in the early seventies of the last century. At first, it consisted of only 12 modest stalls, but that did not stop it from quickly becoming a popular shopping place and continuing to grow. If it were not for public love, it would hardly have survived to this day as we know it today. In a few decades, the Salamanca Market has grown to unprecedented proportions. Today, there are about three hundred market stalls, and the variety of goods represented by vendors and artisans is astounding.

Just imagine. On one side are historical buildings of warm colors, which warm you with just their appearance on a cloudy day. On the other is the city's Derwent River promenade. In between is a sprawling shopping plaza that's buzzing with life. Isn't this the place to be on a Saturday afternoon? Where else can you buy just about anything in Hobart, enjoy the great outdoors, and experience it all at once?

For many, the Salamanca Market becomes a source of unprecedented inspiration. Every week a variety of musicians perform in its streets, bringing a sense of real festivity to the shopping area. And some of the goods on the stalls – antiques, works of art, handmade wood, ceramics, and leather – deserve to be exhibited in museums and galleries.