Flea/Street Markets: 2005-2006
Where did you find that fabulous souvenir? Let us know where you've found your favorite items in Europe.
antique markets?
I will be in italy in early april'07'.does anyone know of a good antique market book that will give me some direction?-
dwayne <email>
maine USA Mon 12/25/2006
Flea/Street Markets
The true "flea market" in Bern, Switzerland is great, but not huge. It is just a few blocks below Einstein's apartment, which is what we were looking for when we found it on a crisp Saturday afternoon. Everything was truly 2nd hand items, no "reproductions" Household items were the majority. I bought 2 Tea-spoons for 2CHF each, and a Burmese Gong for 18CHF (Swiss don't generally use Euros). Had a great time, and even found Einstein's place. Added bonus: Bern is beautiful.
Lance Laituri <email>
Cedarpines Park, CA USA Mon 11/06/2006
Markets In Provence
We bought many items at the Saturday market in Arles and the Sunday market in Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue. The items were souvenir quality, but the variety of things for sale made each place a very entertaining experience. The antiques & bric-a-brac at Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue would be of interest to someone with some knowledge of furniture & collectables.
John <email>
Arlington, VA USA Fri 11/03/2006
Marche du Puces
It was just great to be at the flea market in Paris! I definitely need to go back again; I barely scratched the surface. Yes, you are right, to true bargain hunters, this is no bargain! But I did manage a couple of euro splurge for a unique piece and the brag rights of "Oh that little thing? It's from my antiquing trip to Paris!"
Ann
Dayton, OH USA Sun 10/15/2006
Scarves San Lorenzo
I am in search of a SanLorenzo Scarf merchant in Florence Italy that I can contact via phone or internet. So that I can buy more from them. I love the scarves I brought home but I am kicking myself for not bringing home dozens more. If anyone can help me locate one I would greatly appreciate it. To anyone going to Florence buy the leather, buy the scarves you won't be disappointed!
Julie <email>
Huntington Beach, CA USA Tue 10/10/2006
Other Paris markets?
If anyone has any ideas on alternative street markets in Paris I would much appreciate it. We are collectors of vintage paper ephemera, stamps, postcards etc. I have read alot about St Ouen but I would love to know if anyone has any other experiences at OTHER Paris markets that they would like to share.
Fiona Richards <email>
Nelson BC Canada, BC Canada Thu 09/14/2006
Zagreb Sunday Antique Market
Looking for a bit of fun, check out Zagreb’s Antique's Market held every Sunday morning in Britanski trg (square). This market features a great selection of antiques, some old and some not so old - buyer beware!! Best bets include coins, chandeliers, WW11 items and furniture. Be prepared to barter.
Heather Deeks <email>
Montreal, Quebec CANADA Mon 09/04/2006
Buy leather at the San Lorenzo market in Florence, Italy. The leather there is the cheapest all throughout Italy--and probably the USA too!
Leanne
Memphis, TN USA Thu 07/13/2006
more than a souvenir
Why don't try the gorgeous flea market/car boot style in Brugine, near Padova, in the North of Italy?
It's full of great bargains!!
Of course, don't forget to visit the wanderful Venetian Villa (and its grotesque frescos)in whose gardens, vineyard and stables is located the giant market!
Don't miss it!
Patrizia
ITALY Sun 07/09/2006
Arezzo Market
If you want real food try the Arezzo market, the first Sunday of each month and the immediately preceding Saturday. It's central Italy's best market and the restaurants around there are fantastic.
ThreeLayerCake
Roma, Italia Tue 06/20/2006
Great shopping spot in Munich
This is not really a market, but it is a great place to get candy and other stuff to bring home to friends and family. It's in Marienplatz and it's called Karstadt, and is a very popular shopping spot among the locals. It looks more like a department store, but the left side is all candy, and downstairs there is a very large deli, with many delicious cheeses. Whenever I visit my friend in Munich, we make a stop there and get some Knusperpuffreis, for those who dont know is puffed corn that is sour. (Kinda looks like trix, and tastes like sour and stale trix.) I know it doesn't sound appetizing from the description, but give it a shot and you very well may like it :) Another great spot to grab some food is in Stachus (the underground shopping area between Stachus and Karlsruhe) Also try the Paulaner Brauhaus, they have fantastic schnitzel! Enjoy
Justin <email>
Beverly, MA USA Sun 06/18/2006
Amboise, France
Everything French you always wanted but can never find in the US, and lots more. Produce, charcuterie, epicerie, patisserie, boucherie, poissonerie, fromagerie, clothes, music, flowers, art... and most importantly, atmosphere!
Tom <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA Mon 05/08/2006
portobello markets
I FOUND THE PORTOBELLO MARKETS VERY
GOOD, EARLY IN THE MORNING 6AM OR SO.
GOOD PRICES FOR ANTIQUE JEWELLERY,
YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW YOUR STUFF.
Aundrea
CANADA Tue 05/02/2006
Puces St. Ouen (
I just wanted to add my comments about the St.Ouen "flea market" just outside of Paris. Although it is called a "flea market," it is not what most of us would think of as a flea market. Other than the stalls selling t-shirts, shoes and such just outside the actual market, the vast majority of the merchandise is expensive and much of it is antique. In fact, if asked to characterize it, I would call it an antique market rather than a flea market. If you have deep pockets and like antiques, go for it, you may have a great time, but if you're looking for a big tag sale, this isn't it. I wish I had known that before I went.
Liz
Hyattsville, MD USA Fri 04/21/2006
London Sunday Markets
Instead of the (dangerously) overcrowded and touristy Portobello Road and Camden Markets in London, go where Londoners go on Sundays--to Brick Lane and the Old Spitalfield Market. Take the tube to Liverpool Street. Brick Lane ends around 2pm, but the good-natured Spitalfields Market goes on till 5. It has interesting and unique goods at moderate prices, no tourists, and some of the best people-watching in London.
M.Durkee
Princeton, NJ USA Sun 04/16/2006
Markets
I am American,living in Sweden.We have a great market every Saturday in the town of Uppsala. I am always surprised at the treasures to be found. If the weather is good,May-November are best.Our second hand stores are also great treasure hunts.
Rae Eriksson <email>
Sala, Sweden Thu 04/13/2006
Polish Flea Market
If you've done pottery shopping in Boleslawiec and want more shopping, and a nice ride, visit the Polish Border at Bad Muskau, Germany. You may walk across the bridge into Poland to the market. They sell mink blankets and lace curtains, and all kinds of other things at an affordable price. The area dates back several hundred years as a spa area. Very beautiful country and the people there are pretty friendly. Nice market with good prices!!! Forgot to mention, haggle, haggle, haggle!!!! They see a sucker coming. I usually stick a 5 or 10 in my pocket and tell them this is all I have and start to walk away. Once you gauge the prices (after visiting a couple booths), then you can decide what you want to pay and stick with it. Eventually, you'll get the price. Same goes for the market in Czech.
Melissa <email>
Peach Bottom, PA USA Sun 03/19/2006
Cheb, Czech
If you're visiting Bavaria, and would like to take advantage of a good flea market, then visit Cheb, Czech and the Dragoon Market. There is a market on the way there right inside the border, but you'd probably get better prices overall at the Dragoon. Also, there's a restaurant that serves good food at very affordable prices. You will find a lot of knock offs at good prices, as well as porcelain and crystal at very good prices with gold trim and beautifully painted. Nearby, you will find Waldsassen (with a Monastery that you can visit) and Sibyllenbad, which is a very inexpensive spa. There is so much in this area near the Czech border/and in Czech to see.
Melissa <email>
Peach Bottom, PA USA Sun 03/19/2006
Oslo markets and gardens?
I will be in Oslo in July. Would like to read recommendations for markets to visit. My husband and I love strolling through markets- esp. crafts, jewelery, etc. We also enjoy plants.
T. Yates
Charlotte, NC USA Sat 03/04/2006
Flea Market - Bonn
BONN: Rheinaue Flohmarkt / April-October every 3rd Saturday in the month
I live and Europe and love Flea Markets - one of my favorites is in nearby Bonn! Most of the sellers are not professional 'vendors' although there are some - because there is no great amount parking areas nearby everyone hauls in suitcases / pull wagons full of attic goodies to tables set along the intertwining footpaths of the beautiful Rheinaue Park - many set up Friday night and camp onsite overnight! Since most items are small (just a few furniture sellers) - you are sure to find an antique souvenir ... if your kids are with you there are several playgrounds and the city often sets up a 'labyrinth' in the lower fields - there is also a small manmade lake with boat rentals and many food dealers and sanitary wagons. April, May, June, September and October are the 'bigger' months since most 'sellers' go on holiday summer the school holidays. Have fun!
Anne Sels
Erpel , Germany Fri 02/10/2006
Paris Flea Market: St. Ouen
To get to the biggest flea market in Paris via the metro, the Purple/#4 line will take you all the way up to the Porte de Clingnancourt stop. Once you get above ground, you will see a lot of people and vendors milling about. There are people from all around the world. You can feel a little overwhelmed when you first come up and start heading toward the actual flea market. The first stands you see are those selling t-shirts, shoes, clothes, and touristy items. The actual flea market is very peaceful and quiet with dozens and dozens of wonderful shops and stalls selling vintage and antique items.
When you come up from the metro, turn right and walk down about 2 city blocks through all the touristy vendors (ask if you are unsure: Ou est Rue des Rosiers? This street runs through the heart of the markets). There are actually about 13 markets. Marche Dauphine, Marche Vernaison, Marche Biron, Marche Michelet are the ones I visited. Most of the stalls sell or will give you a very handy map to the market. Each aisle is numbered, and each stall has a number.
It is well worth it but, I recommend you go early and leave early. My step-mom and step-sister stayed at the market until about 3pm and they felt very uncomfortable walking back to the metro due to the streets becoming even more crowded. Tip: Don't make eye contact with the street vendors and you will not have a problem passing without being bothered by somebody trying to get you to buy a necklace or trinket. Don't be put off; I just want to make sure you are prepared. There are websites about the market (google "Marche du Puces"). A great inexpensive place to have lunch is Pizza Napoli on the Rue des Rosiers. Have a great time.
I found two of my favorite trip treasuers at the markets.
Cheryl Keathley
ST. LOUIS, MO USA Sat 11/26/2005
Flea markets
Margaret, you can usually google it or look on that city's official website, they might have some information. And it is usually OK to bargain. Look at the prices of what you are buying and use your best judgement as to what it should cost. If all else fails, ask a local what they would pay for it. Enjoy!
Sandra <email>
Puyallup, WA USA Tue 11/22/2005
Flea Markets
Don't forget Camden Market in Camden town. From the funky to the fabulous - there's something for everyone. Open every day with additional vendors on the weekend. No trip to London is complete without a trip to Camden Market!
Karen Hutson
Austin, Texas USA Mon 11/21/2005
I will be spending 2 weeks in Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Pompeii the early part of April.
How can I find out ahead of time if there are flea markets going on during that time?
Also, how can you tell if it's okay to bargain or not?
Margaret
USA Tue 11/08/2005
Amsterdam area Queen's Day Flea Market
By a quirk of fate I stayed in a great B&B in Landsmeer, Netherlands (just across the water from downtown Amsterdam). Our gracious hostess Colleen convinced us to flea market on the Queen's birthday (April 30) in this professional village. Boy am I glad that I took her advise. The finds were top notch and much cheaper that in the city. I had to make an extra suitcase out of boxes to bring home all of my treasures! A great fun and safe place for a female traveling alone and/or a family.
Peggy <email>
Berkley, MI USA Wed 10/26/2005
Markets in England
I loved the street markets all over England -- perfect slices of the larger society around them. Wait long enough and the entire world walks through, it seemed. Moreton-in-Marsh, the Newmarket in York, and Portobello Road in London were excellent. I bought a few items, clothing and some beautiful vintage jewelry that I just had to have. Prices were good but certainly not incredible bargains. I'd go to the markets even if I had no money to spend -- what finer place is there to watch the world go by than a street market?
Virginia <email>
Plainfield, VT USA Sun 10/16/2005
London Food Market
Don't miss the Borough Market on High Borough Street in London. Friday and Saturday mornings are the best. Great coffee and the most amazing lay-out of fresh meat, produce, cheese, etc. I have ever seen. Jamie Oliver (The Naked Chef) shops there!
Andy Perry <email>
Louisville, KY USA Sat 10/15/2005
Best food in flea market
While recently in Orvieto, Italy the flea market food wagon included a man carving a whole pig. The panini porchetta was the best food of the whole trip. The peppery meat was a real hunk for a change, rather than that wimpy ultrathin prosciutto stuff for sale everywhere else. And the bread actually had flavor, none of that cardboard that you dip it in olive oil. Thanks to guide Matt for suggesting it.
Harvey Lankford
Richmond, VA USA Thu 10/13/2005
Charity Shops
We just got back from 2 wonderful weeks in Scotland. The charity shops are in the big cities and little villages. What great finds!! They are well organized and tidy just like the Scots with everything from clothes to books to dishes...that have been donated to support local charities. I found out about these 10 years ago from a great friend who lives outside of Edinburgh.
Rita <email>
Tyrone, GA USA Fri 10/07/2005
Well, a "boot" is a car's trunk, and a "car boot sale" is what British people have to get rid of their old stuff! But what's amazing about secondhand items in Europe is, their definition of "old" is what we might call really antique! Favorite find: a pair of old binoculars, with a disintegrating hard leather case and brass fittings. As soon as I spotted them, I started thinking about sea voyages and exotic safaris, and I just had to take them home with me. The lenses are still good, although there's a little chip in one corner... you can still sightsee with them! I had a lot of fun with those binocs.
Elizabeth <email>
Seattle, WA USA Tue 08/30/2005
Zagreb (Croatia) Flea Market
This summer I found a very nice oudoor flea market on Sunday mornings at Britanski Trg (British Square) in Zagreb, Croatia. It's easy to get to (2 tram stops from the main square) and has loads of interesting things. It's a true flea market, i.e., no new plastic stuff. Books, antique maps, vintage folk costumes, handmade lace, furniture, musical instruments, knick-knacks. Almost everyone speaks English. Also a cafe (and clean, free restrooms).
Travels-in-Balkans
Tucson, Az USA Tue 08/16/2005
Market Square, Helsinki
We visit this market when we are in Helsinki. Good people-watching (tourists from everywhere) and lots of stalls selling tasty food such as salmon stew, muikku (tiny fried vendace you eat whole, heads, tails and all), herring, etc. Browse the souvenir stalls, but don't buy right away. Many of the items for sale are overpriced for tourists from the ferries who are on a day trip and don't venture further into Helsinki. I found the same or similar items on sale at Stockmann (large Helsinki department store) for much less money.
Chris
MA USA Sat 08/06/2005
brussels weekend market
Brussels had a weekend antique market when I was there in June 2005. I found it to be small and overpriced but it was fun to visit!
mary
chicago, il USA Wed 08/03/2005
Homburg flea market
The flea market in Homburg isn't open during winter months, not sure exactly which months but I think Nov-Feb or March, possibly April
USA Fri 07/29/2005
Homburg, Germany
Homburg, on the A6 between Kaiserslautern and Saarbrucken, has a great flea market on the first Saturday of every month, summer and winter. Hundreds of vendors in the summer, maybe one hundred in the winter. Clean-out-the-garage to antiques, WW2 stuff, new items (baskets, furnitue, etc.)
Martha Wiley <email>
USA Tue 07/26/2005
for flea market fashionistas
I live in Rome, near Trastevere, where the huge Porta Portese flea market is held every Sunday, rain, shine, holiday or no. While gypsies tend to be a problem here (pickpocketing), they're a godsend when they sell you an original Pucci velvet skirt - for 50 cents!
J
Rome, Italy Fri 07/01/2005
Landsmeer, the Netherlands
Landsmeer, the Netherlands. Stayed at a local B&B during the Queen's Day flea market celebration (April 30 each year) and did my fleaing across the water in Landsmeer. Lots of great items from local residents in this professional neighborhood. Escape the crowd in Amsterdam and find some great treasures.
Peggy
Berkley, MI USA Wed 06/08/2005
Arles market
The Saturday market at Arles, France is wonderful and rather large. Food (oh, the olives!), pottery, Provencal fabric, clothing, jewelry. One note - my daughter bought a beautiful scarf for ten euro. I was very envious until I bought the exact same scarf for three euro at the river end of the market where all of the Middle Eastern merchants set up. I wish I had bought several as presents. I will just have to go back!
Christe <email>
FL USA Sun 06/05/2005
Flea markets
We checked out the Zurich saturday flea market and it was ok. Nothing like the market we found in Vienna though. Packed with all sorts of intresting things and thousands of people. We found it behind the Naschmarkt or farmers market a few blocks outside the opernring.
Mike
Port Orchard, wa USA Thu 06/02/2005
Thieves market in Lisbon
Went to the thieves flea market in Lisbon on Saturday. It was very peaceful there and pleasant. A family atmosphere. I didn't see any thieves. Just people enjoying the market.
Marie
Verona, NJ USA Wed 06/01/2005
Antiques
For those interested in Antiques, then I sugest the Lebanto area in Rome. Having lived there for several years, I think you will find this place to be much cheaper than the more well known shps of that calibre. You may also find some extrordinary upholstry work shops there, who are more than happy to sell you their sumptuous materials. Also, for those interested in framing your own art, you will find that the frames there to be of a very high quality, and the cost of said pieces will not send you to the hospital. By all means haggle like a fishwife, you may not save a penny, but it's good for a laugh.
maura collins <email>
london, USA Thu 05/12/2005
Isle Sur La Sorgue
Isle Sur La Sorgue antique market in Provence is not to be missed. Fantastic experience and wonderful antiques. We did not go prepared to buy and unable to arrange shipping home. We sat at an outdoor cafe and listened to some impromptu jazz, just the icing on the cake.
margaret irwin <email>
toronto, can Sun 05/01/2005
Street Markets
Huge, wonderful street market Sundays in Isle sur la Sorgue, a town in Provence. We found fresh cooked food (excellent bread), fresh produce, hand embroidered blouses, quilts and nice leather products. The prices were much better than those we found at markets in more touristy areas. We found the vendors to be very honest and helpful.
Mary Beth Defer <email>
Whittier, CA USA Sat 04/30/2005
Vintage cloths in Paris
Go out and get Suzie Gershman's 2005 version of "Born to Shop Paris". This has a lot of information on vintage cloths. Plus, she has great tips and is really funny to boot!
Marianne
Tulsa, OK USA Mon 04/25/2005
Secondhand designer clothes and bric a brac in Sydney
Lovers of garage clean outs and designer secondhand clothes would love the Kirribilli markets under the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia. They are held on the fourth Saturday of the month from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beautiful clothes being discarded by fashionistas. Lots of variation each month, nice food and vegetables, some antiques.
Christine <email>
Sydney, Australia Wed 03/30/2005
Weekend in Blackrock Market
If you happen to be in Dublin, Ireland. Take a day trip to Blackrock, easily reached on the DART. Pretty town by the sea. There is a small weekend market there where you can buy all sorts of crafts and nicknacks.
Jaime <email>
London, ON Canada Thu 01/27/2005
Tongeren, Belgium
Tongeren, BelgiumMy husband and I went to Tongeren and found a poor selection and most of it was overpriced. Plus the vendors were unwilling to bargain, insisting that the marked price was the best price. It took all the fun out of the hunt when no one would haggle.
Germany, Tue 01/11/2005
Saturday Morning Market in Bayeux, France
We have found a wonderful Saturday morning market in the heart of Normandy, in Bayeux. It starts around 8:00 AM and is over around 1:00 PM. It is held in the parking lot right across from the Hotel D'Argouges @ 21 rue Saint-Patrice. (Great hotel, too) They have wonderful food, sausages, roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, beautiful strawberries, cheeses, breads, lots of baby animals to pet and hold, beautiful flowers, clothes, shoes....everything you could want. It is a wonderful treat to get lunch there and then go find a picnic table somewhere and enjoy your feast. I was standing next to a man with a bag over his shoulder, when I noticed a little Yorkie stick his head out of the top. The whole morning was magical and delish. We have been there 3 times and have never been disappointed.
Becky Harless <email>
Richardson, TX USA Mon 01/03/2005