Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Guides
    • Flight Deals
    • Travel Deals
    • Ways to Save
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Festivals + Events
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Buses + Trains
    • Ground Transportation
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Shopping
  4. World's Greatest Flea Markets

World's Greatest Flea Markets

By Lynn Yaeger
October 16, 2009
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: iStock
Some people travel so they can climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or ski the Rockies, or feast on rare delicacies in Bangkok. Not me. I think of the world as a series of fabulous flea markets, displaying each culture’s best bibelots—many of which can be had for a paltry few pounds or yen, euros, or dollars. Who needs an ordinary souvenir when you can remember your vacation every time you use your turn-of-the-century Parisian canisters or wear those Art Deco bracelets, bought for a song in Buenos Aires?

My roster of what I consider to be the 11 greatest flea markets in the world depends upon a highly personal interpretation of “great.” Though some of my picks are vast and encompass thousands of vendors (the thrice-yearly Brimfield, MA, extravaganza, for example, has fully 6,000 dealers on hand!); others are great because, though small, they are consistently good—not to mention picturesque.

The market that sets up on Thursdays in front of the Gothic cathedral in Barcelona—quirky in itself since almost every other market is held on a weekend—is small enough to enjoy in the space of a leisurely morning, but the quality (high) and average price (low) make this worth adjusting your calendar in the hope of finding a vintage Spanish lace shawl.

If you, like me, travel thousands of miles just to watch the sun rise over tables of treasures, here are some of my top tips culled from a lifetime of “fleaing”: In lands where you don’t speak a word of the language, don’t leave the hotel without a pad and pen so you can bargain by writing down numbers and crossing them out (this came in very handy when I was attempting to get a good deal on an antique trinket box in Tokyo). Be prepared with rain gear and sturdy shoes—just because it’s dripping doesn’t mean markets are canceled. Pay attention to local opening hours—you don’t want to stroll over to Portobello Road at 3 p.m., just to find everyone is packing up. Bring cash! Credits cards and fleas usually don’t mix, you can’t write a check in Moroccan dirham, and the ATM may be far away.

And yes, size matters. Supposedly, there’s some way to get that 300-ton temple bell home to Cleveland, but for myself—after riding for seven hours with a four-foot-tall Victorian pixie doll on my lap (you don’t want to know)—I now confine my treasures to items smaller than a bread box (happily, that includes lots of vintage jewelry—recently a Victorian bracelet and a 1940s copy of British Vogue).

Another hard-earned lesson? Don't exhaust yourself. This is supposed to be fun! Make sure you have lunch and/or take a coffee break. Many of the world’s markets contain excellent bistros—you can enjoy a hearty onion soup in one of the many cafés that dot the Porte de Clignancourt market; have a steak sandwich—it’s the national dish—in view of the outdoor vendors at the San Telmo market in Buenos Aires; or enjoy a pub lunch in London while you contemplate potential purchases.

And one last thing: if you’re at a really massive market and spot something interesting but aren’t ready to make a purchase, write down the booth number. You don’t want to spend the rest of your life pining for the one that got away, just because after hours of searching, you couldn’t find your lost love again.
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

London

Credit: © Emily Mott

Where: Portobello Road

Hours: Saturdays only.

Wake up! The earlier you can drag yourself over to this 1,500-dealer market the better—many shoppers are here at the literal crack of dawn, and most of the serious trading is done by 9 a.m. (This is not to say you won’t have a good time even if you arrive later.) Inside the arcades, specialty dealers offer 300 years of ephemera—the Central Gallery is know for its fine antique jewelry—but don’t neglect the vendors who set up in the middle of the street. They might not have a roof over their heads, but real bargains frequently surface here.



World's Greatest Flea Markets

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Brimfield, MA

Credit: © piluhin / Alamy

Where: Spread over 23 different fields/locations in town

2009 Dates: May 12–17; July 14–19; Sept. 8–13; dawn until dusk.

Thrice yearly, the 18th-century hamlet of Brimfield is overwhelmed by a series of antiques shows set up in humongous open fields (and some covered sites) for a six-day stretch. Dealers have flocked here for decades, and virtually anything you collect, no matter how obscure (from taxidermy to taxi dancers’ outfits), will likely show up among the offerings of the 6,000-odd stalls. A word of warning: book your accommodations as far ahead as possible (vendors have been snagging the same hotel rooms for years); bring a flashlight (shows start before dawn); prepare for inclement weather—you’ll be out in the elements a long time; and perhaps most important, write down the location of booths you may want to return to. It’s very easy to get lost. (www.brimfieldshow.com)

2 of 12

3 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Paris

Credit: © Office de tourisme de Saint-Ouen

Where: Porte de Clignancourt

Hours: Saturdays and Sundays; some dealers open Mondays.

More like a city unto itself than a mere flea market, this vast expanse—really a series of many markets accommodating a whopping 2,500 dealers—could easily take up an entire day. The antique furniture is superb, the chandeliers are splendid, but there are also many, many seductive objects far easier to transport home—everything from enamel kitchen canisters to wonderful vintage postcards of an earlier Paris. In winter, the hot chocolate vendors offer cocoa that is like nothing you’ve ever tasted, plus the landscape is dotted with excellent bistros.

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Buenos Aires

Credit: © Javier Diaz

Where: Plaza Dorego, San Telmo

Hours: Sundays only.

On Sundays it seems like the entire population of Buenos Aires flocks to San Telmo, a newly chic boho district. Start at Plaza Dorego then fan out to the various antiques centers, which seem to stretch for miles. Though the market is renowned for its Deco furniture and accessories, there’s also, as at all the best fleas, a multitude of “smalls” to choose from as well. Don’t miss the superb vintage clothes at Gil Antigüedades, 412 Humberto I, where ensembles designed by Eva Peron’s favorite dressmakers are sometimes in stock.

4 of 12

5 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Paris

Credit: © Bernard Blanché

Where: Porte de Vanves, Rive Gauche

Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, before 1 p.m.

Leave the hotel early on weekend mornings and take the metro to the far left bank outpost of Vanves, then walk a few blocks to Avenue Marc Sangnier and Avenue Georges Lafenestre for this small, excellent market, also an open secret among dealers. (Rumor has it that after dealers shop here, they bring their treasures to the far larger Porte de Clignancourt later in the day.) The tables brim with vintage boxes, glassware, old Parisian periodicals, posters, and other souvenir-ready material. Prices are congenial, but remember to bring cash—the ATM machine is a bit of a hike.

5 of 12

6 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tokyo

Credit: © J Marshall - Tribaleye Images / Alamy

Where: Togo Shrine; Meiji Dori; near Harajuku

Hours: First and fourth Sunday of every month.

A lack of Japanese language skills is no barrier to enjoying this terrific market on the grounds of the Togo Shrine—just bring pad and pen, and negotiate the price on paper. Here is the place to find beautiful early-20th-century kimonos and other textiles; winsome antique Japanese dolls; miniature multidrawer cabinets; scrolls emblazoned with stunning calligraphy; and other items you just will not see at the flea markets back home. Bonus: the market is not far from the Harajuku district, so after you shop you can watch the neighborhood’s trendy dolled-up girls strut in all their glory.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tangier, Morocco

Credit: © Hemis / Alamy

Where: Casabarata, on the road to Rabat

Hours: Open every day.

A Parisian friend who has a house in Tangier swears that he finds incredible items at this sprawling market, and that another expat he knows recently found a valuable gold cigarette lighter hidden in the rubble. A maze of broken concrete sidewalks brandishes everything from new mattresses to secondhand sinks, wonderful tin lanterns, all manner of fabrics, and the occasional truly rare treasure. Bring plenty of patience and a trained eye, and be quick—development is threatening to overwhelm this labyrinth.

7 of 12

8 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pasadena, CA

Credit: Courtesy of Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau

Where: The Rose Bowl

Hours: Second Sunday of every month.

For nearly 40 years, Angelinos have adored this massive flea. More than 2,500 vendors set up before dawn, and it’s a good idea to come super early (before sunrise), if only to allow enough time to peruse the estimated five miles of booths. Look up occasionally from the tables of mid-century collectibles and the racks of vintage clothes, and you just might see Ashley Olson or Clint Eastwood shopping along with you—both have been known to enjoy treasure hunting here.

8 of 12

9 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Barcelona

Credit: © Rough Guides / Alamy

Where: Plaça de la Seu, in front of the Catedral de Barcelona, Barri Gòtic

Hours: Thursdays only.

Every Thursday, the Plaça de la Seu at the base of the massive 15th-century cathedral—the most famous edifice in Barcelona (not counting the Gaudís)—hosts an outdoor flea market. The offerings are surprisingly upscale and usually include seductive antique jewelry, lovely old dolls, and printed advertising items. Though the market itself is not enormous and can be covered in one leisurely morning, the quality of the goods makes up for the small number of dealers.

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

New York City

Credit: Courtesy of Hell's kitchen Flea Market

Where: Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market

Hours: Weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Manhattan’s Antiques Garage, adored by legions of New York collectors, was slated for demolition but has been saved from the wrecking ball—at least for the foreseeable future. This bi-level concrete parking lot is a survivor from the days when the neighborhood was full of antiques venues. The 100-plus vendors in the Garage showcase everything from paintings to Puccis, spittoons to old Sears catalogs.

10 of 12

11 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Paris

Credit: © Office de Tourisme de Saint-Ouen

Where: Marché aux Puces de St.-Ouen

Hours: Saturdays to Mondays from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

More like a city unto itself than a flea market, this vast expanse—really a series of many markets accommodating a whopping 2,500 dealers—could easily take up an entire day. The antique furniture and the chandeliers are splendid, but there are also many, many bewitching objects far easier to transport home, such as early 20th-century French fashion magazines.

11 of 12

12 of 12

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tips from a Lifetime of Flea-ing

Credit: iStock
  • Bring cash Credit cards and fleas don’t usually mix, and an ATM may be far away.
  • Check opening hours You don’t want to arrive and find everyone is closing up.
  • Pack rain gear and sturdy shoes Just because it’s pouring doesn’t mean markets are canceled.
  • Take a pad and pen If you don’t speak the local language, bargain by jotting down numbers.
  • Easy in, easy out If trying on vintage clothing, dress in something light that will allow you to slip items over it, as fitting rooms are rare.
  • Size matters Sure, you can get that 300-ton temple bell home, but it’s much easier—and more cost effective—to confine your purchases to items smaller than a bread box.
  • Don’t exhaust yourself Make sure you have lunch and take time out for a coffee break.
  • Be systematic Write down booth numbers if you’re planning on returning to check on a particular find. You don’t want to spend the rest of your trip pining after the one that got away.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Lynn Yaeger

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 12 London
2 of 12 Brimfield, MA
3 of 12 Paris
4 of 12 Buenos Aires
5 of 12 Paris
6 of 12 Tokyo
7 of 12 Tangier, Morocco
8 of 12 Pasadena, CA
9 of 12 Barcelona
10 of 12 New York City
11 of 12 Paris
12 of 12 Tips from a Lifetime of Flea-ing

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

World's Greatest Flea Markets
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.