Flea/Street Markets: 2008
Where did you find that fabulous souvenir? Let us know where you've found your favorite items in Europe.
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Two Fresh Market Ideas in London
For Kate from ND - you found 'Borough Market', and is best accessed via London Bridge station. Alternately, you can access it from Borough Station, and walk up Borough High Street - there's a wine shop around the corner from that station. You are right in that locals go there- but they're smart and go only in the morning or on a non-weekend day. The rest of the time is all tourists - you'll be able to tell by their camera lenses! However, you're right in that the produce there (awesome plants, fruit/veg, meats/seafood, cheese) - expect to pay for it though. However, I went frequently when the market opened to get my Italian husband his favorites. Expect incredibly crowds if you're there anytime after 10 AM on Saturday. Go for an evening deal (my stopoff on the way to Sainsburys after work) on Thursday or Friday nights.
For a real 'authentic' market, try also the Brixton market. I know - but Brixton has really started to clean itself up. You're going to find a much more 'real' experience of London - the melting pot of the world, with East Indian being the cuisine that's my favorite. Expect the same produce but much cheaper - not catering the yuppies of the world. As long as you're an aware traveller, you should be fine.
Note - most producey-type markets throughout London are not open Sunday.
Borough Market: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
Brixton Market:
http://brixtonmarket.net/
Sara
Minneapolis, MN USA Thu 11/13/2008
Rue Mouffetard / Rue Monge
For those of you who have checked out Rue Cler on Paris, check out Rue Mouffetard and Rue Monge on your next visit. They are located in the 5th and the Metro stop "Monge" pops you right in to the middle of it all!
Michelle
Seattle, WA USA Mon 10/20/2008
Amboise Sunday market
I went to the Sunday market, located by the river embankment, needing some new socks, and wanting a dried sausage, a particular type of cheese, and an obscure CD of French folk tunes. I found everything I came for, and nearly anything else under the sun one could hope for. And, oh my, the food!
Tom <email>
Washington, DC USA Thu 09/11/2008
Tongres, Belgium..Best Antique Market
If you love old antiques, wake up early Sunday morning and visit the best antique flea market in Belgium, located in Tongres. Everything from antique dishes, clothing, furniture and many more things. The locals are out with the sunrise, so get there early. Cafe's will also begin to open at 8 or 9 so you can enjoy a cup of coffee while taking a break. If you don't necessarily love antiques, it is still a fun experience, lots of misc. things to look at!
Danielle Haines
APO AE, Germany, USA Wed 06/11/2008
Wonderful market-Villeneuves-des-Avignon-Avignon
Villeneuves-des-Avignon-Avignon is an enchanting city and this is an enchanting market-small and choice. So French: much in Art Deco china and lighting, lovely linens, some excellent vintage clothing. The second time I went there was a dealer with gorgeous enameled crosses. And as in so many markets of France, people are very courteous and love to chat about their things.
Victoria Klein <email>
Pelham, NY USA Thu 05/29/2008
Flea Market in Lucca, Italy
Lucca's Flea Market-Every third weekend of the month. Huge and encyclopedic-a few years ago I found a booth selling amazing costume jewelry from the 60's that Versace must have channeled, an enormous booth selling outrageous pieces of Murano lighting from the 40's through the 60's and a vendor from Nigeria who couldn't seem to sell enough semi-precious jewelry. Well worth a good look and a lovely way to see the city.
Victoria Klein <email>
Pelham, NY USA Thu 05/29/2008
Greece
Monastiraki market is really fun on Saturdays. But, don't expect to find any bargain antiques there. Greece imports most of the antiues from France and they are expensive.
John
New York, New Yo USA Sun 04/20/2008
Monastiraki Flea Market
The Monastiraki Flea Market in downtown Athens Greece is pretty decent. It's open on Sundays and isn't to far from the Acropolis or the Plaka area. There were a few antique shops in the area and a number of shops selling everything Greek. It was fun just to scrounge through the tables and boxes of misc junk looking for a treasure. We honestly picked up some pretty neat stuff. You can search for it on the web for more info.
Ben
Okie in Europe, USA Wed 04/16/2008
Farmer's Market
I accidentally discovered a farmer's market in London, right behind Southwark Cathedral. It is on Borough Street and seems to be a place where many locals gather. People from the countryside come in every morning and set up their stands of bread, cheese, olives, candy, wine, fish, flowers, and crafts. There was a huge area set aside as a fruit and vegetable market. The most interesting stand was the fish stand, which had not only the usual types of fish but also whole shark's heads and whole monkfish, which are quite possibly the most unnapatizing things I have ever seen. Well worth checking out! It is a little pricy but the produce is of the best quality
Kate
ND USA Mon 04/14/2008
Greece
Does anyone know of flea markets in Greece - mainland or islands?
Rachael <email>
Colorado Springs, CO USA Sun 04/13/2008
FLEA MARKETS
Best Market: Here in the US three times a year Brimfield Mass. (next to Sturbridge) There are three Brimfield markets each year. One in May one in August and one in September. The spring market in MAY is usually the best. August can be too hot and difficult. Brimfield is a great place to find just about anything from great antiques to junque. Thousands of vendors come for the entire week. Tuesday through Sunday. It is best to arrive MONDAY late afternoon as some start setting up then but the real show starts on Tuesday at daybreak some shop with flashlights even at 4AM. There are many different fields that open up throughout the week and some charge admission fees of $5 just to get on to the field. Brimfield is a dealer market so it is competitive and the early bird catches the worm but there are bargains and finds. One tip is that the fields that charge get picked over quickly by the dealers setting up on the fields especially Dealer's Choice and Heart of the Mart best is to ask the advice of the regulars. If you are looking for Antiques and collectible items Brimfield is still one of the best here in the US.
Spencer <email>
Merion station, PA USA Sat 04/05/2008
Flea Market in Paris
We also went to the Les Puces de Saint Ouen in 2004. We found huge, interesting, and diverse, but not what we were looking for. There were very expensive antiques (fun shops to look at but nothing we could afford- you'd never find that at a Flea Market here) and then lots of new things (clothing, sunglasses, etc.). We love to flea market in the US and we collect lots of inexpensive antique items (you'd call it a "rust collection", so I was just looking for some little things to remind of us of our trip) but there was nothing like that there. We were leaving with nothing (except some new shirts for our kids) and outside of the flea market grounds a guy had a few things sitting on the sidewalk- BINGO! I bought an old brass/glass car headlight and a huge metal kitchen tool (says "France") with a red wooden knob (I collect red-handled kitchen tools- it has a place of honor on my kitchen wall). We're taking our kids in May and are looking for a new one to try...they love Flea Markets! Maybe the French throw out there rusty inepensive stuff...I couldn't find an Antique store that was "junky" there either. It just depends what you're looking for!
Nancy <email>
Mars, PA USA Thu 02/28/2008
Vienna- Naschmarkt
Open on Saurday, this market stretches out over many blocks and contains everything from antiques,to silver and china, and a great deal of garage sale type items. It is a great place to people watch as well as shop. And when you finish shopping, you can return to the market area and see the most beautiful produce, baked goods, spices, and areas to grab a bite. We had Kebaps while sharing a space with a local gentleman who gave us tips on how to bargain. A most wonderful day it was.
tpsychnurse
Austin, TX USA Sun 02/10/2008
Madrid, Spain - El Rastro
A lot of stuff at this flea market are now "Hecho en Chine", but I had an adrenaline rush when I saw surplus military uniforms and supplies from different European countries in one stall. I was able to get a cool, black Swiss army jacket for 10 Euros! There were fatigues with German & Netherlands emblems too. I wish I had no baggage limitations since there were gas masks, bags, etc. too.
Sonny V. de Dios
La Mirada, CA USA Sun 02/10/2008
Nice
For a fabulous street market with unbelievably gorgeous and delicious foods hit up Nice. The foods are fresh and beautifully displayed. Everything looks like candy! Venders are friendly, and flowers are brilliant! I was there in October, the weather was wonderful and a dip in the ocean was pleasantly warm! Highly recommended for food lovers!
Jai
Portland, OR USA Fri 02/01/2008
Flea / Street Market in Sarlat
if you are looking for a great street market, go to Sarlat in the Dordogne region of France. this market (we were there on a Saturday) has everything from fresh foods (breads, cheeses, fruits, olives, u name it) to wine, as well as oddities (knives, toys, clothes,). We collected a selection of wine, cheese, bread, fruits (the strawberries were the best I ever had - so full of flavor!) and did a walk between the castles of Beynac, along the Dordogne river. what a perfect adventure.
Steve <email>
Bothell, WA USA Sun 01/20/2008
Caussade Market day
Caussade off the A20 south of Cahors has a great Monday AM market. It is as good as the Saturday Sarlat market, and perhaps less crowded.
Reed Nelson
Hampton Roads, VA USA Fri 01/11/2008