Flea/Street Markets
Where did you find that fabulous souvenir? Let us know where you've found your favorite items in Europe.
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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 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 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 04/14/2008
Greece
Does anyone know of flea markets in Greece - mainland or islands?
Rachael <email>
Colorado Springs, CO USA 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 01/11/2008
Cuijk flea market
Cuijk flea market
took over 6 hours just to walk thru
1500 vendors new used
Just do a seach on it
James <email>
san antionio, tx USA 12/19/2007
More Swiss Flea Markets
There is a huge flea market in Zurich on the lake at the end of Bahnhofstrasse on Saturday mornings...you can't miss it. It's much bigger than the onein Luzern, but I think Luzern has a more picturesque location with the market being right on the river.
Tim
USA 09/27/2007
Portobello Street market
London Portobello street market on Sunday's!!! This is the best ever. You can find anything you are looking for, also pay less than nothing if you know how to bargain well. Taught wife how to bargain :)
Dapo
London, UK 08/26/2007
El Rastro flea market in Madrid
I was at the Rastro the other week and unfortunately, now it is full of cheap tourist tatt and very little else. The stalls, moreover the outside of some antiques shops, had some of their wares on display but were intent on charging tourist prices. However the hill and its sidestreets has plenty of treasures in the form of excellently priced bar restaurants with good paella etc.
Zara
Barcelona, USA 08/24/2007
Hampstead markets
We just got back from the UK and one of my favorite days was Saturday in Hampstead, north of London. Take the tube to Hampstead, exit on High Street, and have fun! If you go on Saturday you'll find lots of antiques, flea markets set up in church yards, etc. Don't miss the Hampstead Community Center on High Street (across from the tube station and to the left) for a terrific lunch, cakes and tea, tables full of antique jewelry, silver, and small treasures, and good company. Then head down Heath Street to the Hampstead Antiques Emporium. Oh - and don't forget to take a stroll through the Heath while you're there for the most gorgeous view of London! If you're a Rick Steves picnicker, take your lunch and a blanket and just spend the day on the Heath with a good book!!
Tracie
Tallahassee, Fla. USA 08/19/2007
London Markets
For Markets in London I agree with the other poster on Spitalfields Market. It is definitely the busiest on Sunday, but other good days to go with not so many people would be Thursday and Friday. On the weekdays don't go early or nothing will be open. Usually around 11am stalls are opening up.
Avoid the Camden Market. In recent years it's becoming more touristy with high prices and not many finds.
Borough Market (thus, fri, sat) is the oldest and most amazing food market, I can't stress enough how great it is going there.
Brixton Market is open all mornings (I think) and a real eclectic mix of food, flowers, clothing, CDs, etc.
Smithfield Market is great if you want to get some meat and something to do at 4am!
Lesser known but amazing markets:
Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only I think), but show up REALLY early.
Hampstead Market (Saturday mornings the best), small community farmer's market but a really great feel to it!
Sue
UK/Canada 08/05/2007
Paris Flea Markets
The Paris flea markets are not to be missed. The big one is Les Puces de Saint-Ouen out at the end of the Porte de Clignancourt metro line. It's beyond big - acres and acres, there must be several hundred shops, if not more!
The Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves is more of a local market, but the most fun we've had is to look in the paper and check out the local neighborhood flea markets.
Chris <email>
Anchorage, AK USA 08/02/2007
flea markets
Ahhh, Roma!! Super giant flea market in Rome is THE flea market in Porta Portese, located southwest of the Colloseo(Colloseum). Hundreds and hundreds of vendors. The main entrence has the typical clothing tourist trap vendors, but if you quickly make your way to the back of the flea market, you'l find a treasure trove of vendors selling A-Z bargains. Don't let the prices scare you away. I found some great vintage picture frames, collectable roosters, and some nice KPM plates. I always travel light with my large suitcase, leaving lots of room for packing lots of found treasures!!
art aguirre <email>
boston, ma. USA 08/01/2007
Madrid Flea Market
Madrid's flea market, El Rastro, is reputedly the largest in Europe. It starts at the top of a hill, near the La Latina metro stop, and spills down the hill, covering several streets. It's enormous--it takes several hours to browse quickly, and probably all morning if you care to look carefully and ask questions. It happens from roughly 9am to 2pm on Sunday, not Saturday as a previous poster guessed. I saw everything from new clothes, handcrafts, and electronics, to ancient books and newspapers, mechanical junk, old cameras, old cell phones--anything you can imagine. It can be hard to get up and go, especially after staying out until the sun rises as many Madrileños are accustomed to doing, but it's definitely worth a visit, even if shopping or flea markets are not your thing.
Ryan
Chicago, IL USA 07/11/2007
Metz
I went to a Flea Market in Metz, France this past winter. It was the best ever! Bring your Euros, this place was the real French Country!
Carmen
Kaiserslautern, USA 06/02/2007
swiss flea markets
greetings... anyone have info on swiss flea markets...in graubunden, bernese oberland and lucerne...i've been to the saturday market in lucerne...amazing... but cant find out about much else in the other two areas...
mjp
east tennessee, USA 05/27/2007
flea/street markets
I would appreciate any information about flea markets in Prague and Budapest.
jean savage <email>
vancouver, wa USA 05/14/2007
Anyone know if the Wed. flea market in Siena is still going on? Went there a few years ago and loved all the table linens.
angela <email>
seattle, wa USA 05/01/2007
Barcelona Fleamarket
Encants fleamarket 2 minutes from Glories metro, Barcelona.
Very big, full of rarities, and if you go near to closing time (about 2pm) you can barter for unbelievably cheap prices.
It's every Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat.
For more info about Barcelona, Paris or Amsterdam: www.way2stay.com
Zara
Barcelona, Spain 04/23/2007
Street Markets - Madrid
We happened on the big flea market in Madrid, on a Saturday (?). It was huge and had great stuff, not just cheap junk and sox. Lots of music and food, art and other goods. I bought a copper chocolate pot with blue & white porcelain handle for very little, then had to get it home.
Bonnie
E. City, NC USA 04/05/2007
London Market
Sundays in LONDON, try Up Market. There is another market down the street Spitfields...however, this one has many more people. But both are good though
Suzanne
Chicago, IL USA 03/25/2007
Paris markets
Tell me about flea markets and antique markets in Paris. I'll be there in mid June.
Barbara <email>
Fort Worth, TX USA 03/14/2007
Flea Markets
Porta Portez in Rome is an AWSOME flea market. I think its open on Saturday or sundays. Check with your hotel or guide as to what bus to take to get there.
If you're in London, Penny Lane / Liverpool St Flea Market is also really good. Again check to see if its on Saturdays & Sundays (Or Just Sundays)
Don't be shy..Bargan with the vendors!!
George
Hampton, NH USA 01/29/2007
Go check out the Flea market in Tongren Belgium. It is considered one of the biggest in Europe. The flea market is only open on Sunday form 7a to about 1pm, although some vendors may stay till about 3pm. This is truly a flea market for the flea market junkie! My wife and I have bought most of our french furniture and collectibles here. Tongeren and the surrunding area also have numerous antique shops. Happy huntings!
Santiago <email>
Ramstein, USA 01/25/2007
I have two words...
Portabello Road
Aniela <email>
Phelps, NY USA 01/15/2007
antique and flea markets
Dwayne: Log onto Amazon and go to their used book section. 2 books I saw:
The Antique and Flea Markets of Italy and also
Made in Italy: A Shopper's Guide to the Best of Italian Tradition
Cman
Atlanta, USA 01/02/2007