10 Flea Markets Where You’ll Find The Perfect Vintage Souvenir
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We all have that person in our lives whose apartment looks like a freaking Anthropologie catalog. But you know they’re way too “original” to buy decor at a chain shop. (Which, like, rude. Anthro for life.) They say things like, “Oh yeah, I was just wandering through a flea market and I found that priceless antique Art Nouveau dresser.”
But covet their home aesthetic no longer, dear friends. Because on your next trip, you’ll have the insider tips on the best flea markets in the world where you can find the perfect vintage souvenir. And then you can pull the old “I just happened to be in the Gran Balon and found the most beautiful 1950s globe” when that stylish friend comes over to your place for drinks.
1. Brooklyn Flea — Brooklyn, New York, United States
In the summer, you’ll find the Brooklyn Flea under the famous Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass). In the winter, hipsters flock to Skylight One Hanson when the 100 vendors and 30 food stalls move indoors.
2. Flohmarkt im Mauerpark — Berlin, Germany
Every Sunday, Berliners sort through a massive fair of “treasures.” While you will find bins of broken and discarded glasses frames, you’ll also see treasures dating back to the days when this East Berlin lot was inaccessible to Westerners. Now the market is open weekly with food stands and often live music.
3. Daytona Flea Market — Daytona, Florida, United States
Daytona Beach’s flea market is 30 acres of antiques and local foods. Since the city is famous for the Daytona International Speedway and race cars, the market also hosts a car show once a month.
4. Bermondsey Market — London, England, United Kingdom
Londoners avoiding the crowds on Portobello Road go to the antique traders at the Bermondsey Market. It’s less touristed, partly because you have to get there early in the day and partly because the weekly market is far off the well-worn visitor circuit of London.
5. Randolph Street Market — Chicago, Illinois, United States
The Randolph Street Market actually is home to Modern Vintage Chicago, the Indie Designer Market, and the Chicago Antique Market. And when the Windy City’s weather cooperates, the market moves outside to host live music and food vendors.
6. Mercantic — Barcelona, Spain
You could decorate an entire home from goods at Mercantic, especially if you hit the market on the first Sunday of the month. That’s when the Barcelona market gets deliveries of new antiques to its 80 merchants.
7. Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market — Shipshewana, Indiana, United States
Okay, so you probably won’t happen to be going to Shipshewana, Indiana. But it’s only a two-hour drive from Chicago to the giant market. There are 900 vendors spread across 100 acres. Oh, and don’t miss the homemade heartland style pies.
8. Ferikoy Flea Market — Istanbul, Turkey
While the Grand Bazaar is the place to see old-school grandeur, Ferikoy (housed in a parking lot instead of a centuries-old hall) has the more affordable goods. It’s open Sundays, but like at the Grand Bazaar, come ready to haggle.
9. Plucky Maidens Junk Fest — Portland, Oregon, United States
Have you ever heard of anything more Portland than a flea market called “Plucky Maidens Junk Fest?” Yeah, us neither. This market only occurs three times a year and has the kind of vintage goods that would make fans of “Portlandia” drool.
10. Gran Balon — Turin, Italy
Turin is home to a huge flea market with all sorts of Italian goodies, from old bicycles (that you could ride around in Italian style) to gorgeous wall hangings or picture frames. Even better, you can take a ride on a hot air balloon above the market. Maybe you’ll spot even more gems that way!
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