Shopping may not be everyone’s idea of fun. But flea markets and bazaars are an entirely different animal. There’s the novelty of it all: the colorful stalls manned by equally colorful characters, and the challenge of trying to communicate and haggle in a foreign language. There’s the history—unearthing a historic relic that still retains an amazing sense of time and place. Spend a few hours (or a full day) at a flea market and you might end up with something that’s as unique as the destination you visited. Why go home with an ordinary souvenir when you can bring back a one-of-a-kind item and a story to go with it?
There are flea markets and bazaars around the globe, and some cities are blessed with not just one but a handful of them. While we couldn’t possibly fit them all here, this very short list includes some of the absolute best.
Photo: Courtesy of Marché aux Puces1/7Paris: Marché aux Puces
The mother of all flea markets was established circa 1870 in Saint-Ouen. This is where Picasso went on walks to find inspiration, where Woody Allen had his Midnight in Paris characters search for hidden treasures, and where you could find that rare first-edition Albert Camus hardcover, a collectsible camera, or a charming knickknack you didn’t know you just had to have. The Puces, as locals call it, features some 1,700 dealers and 14 distinct markets. Dress for the occasion with good walking shoes, and be prepared to practice your most charming bonjour.When: Saturdays and Sundays; some dealers open Mondays.
Photo: Alamy2/7London: Portobello Road
Londoners have been hitting Portobello Road since the 1800s. Serious shoppers show up early—and by that, we mean at sunrise. But you can still score a good deal, and avoid the crowds, if you arrive before 11:00 a.m. Antique trading takes place on Saturdays, and there are more than 1,000 dealers hawking bric-a-brac, vintage and new clothing, accessories, and collectsibles. On Talbot Road, you’ll find fruit and veggie stands, as well as artisan breads and cakes.When: Saturday is the main trading day, though some shops are also open on Fridays (stalls are not).
Photo: Alamy3/7Buenos Aires: Feria de San Telmo
With its century-old buildings and cobblestone streets, San Telmo is arguably Buenos Aires’s quaintest neighborhood. Plaza Dorrego is at the center of it all and on Sundays, locals and tourists alike flock to it to dig for vintage glassware and jewelry, colorful siphons, 100-year-old coins and stamps, film cameras, and much more from 270 stalls. There are even more treasures—particularly, period furniture, brassware, and glassware—to be found at Dorrego Flea Market, a covered marketplace with more than 150 booths and shops. Bring cash (U.S. dollars will do) and be prepared to haggle.When: The feria takes place on Sundays; Dorrego Flea Market opens every day.
Photo: Courtesy of Mercantic4/7Barcelona: Mercantic
Sant Cugat, a 30-minute train ride outside Barcelona, is home to Mercantic, an indoor market with around 80 permanent stores selling lighting, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and accessories, and 80 stall hawkers. The best time to go is the first Sunday of the month, when shops take delivery of new items and stalls offer good bargains. There are also restaurants that serve great Catalan dishes and host live bands and other events, and ceramics, restoration, and other workshops open to the public.When: The flea market is open Sundays; the permanent market is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Photo: Courtesy of Grand Bazaar5/7Istanbul: Grand Bazaar
One of the largest covered markets in the world, you could spend days wandering the 60 streets and 5,000 shops that make up the Grand Bazaar. The complex, which was first constructed in the 15th century and restored after an earthquake in 1894, houses mosques, fountains, hammams, cafés, and restaurants. Here you’ll find everything from amber prayer beads to inlaid weapons, traditional Turkish clothing, and intricately carved wooden furniture. Many stalls in the bazaar are grouped by theme, so you might find one section focusing on carpets or spices. But unless you are looking for something in particular, the best way to explore is to walk around without a plan and get lost—you never know what treasure you might find.When: Monday to Saturday.
Photo: Courtesy of The Souk6/7Marrakech: The Souk
Think exotic bazaar and what probably comes to mind is a Moroccan souk, with its explosion of colors, sounds, and smells. It’s pretty easy to get lost in the souk’s labyrinth of tiny alleyways, but that’s kind of the point. Everything you see here—ornate lanterns and beautiful rugs, teas and spices, tapestries, and silverware—is for sale and haggling is expected. Though ATMs are around, it’s best to come with cash. Don’t miss your chance to see local artisans as they craft silver pieces by hand, dye wool in steaming rainbow-color vats, and tan leather.When: Open daily.
Photo: Courtesy of The Rose Bowl Flea Market7/7Stateside
You don’t have to fly internationally to hit up a flea market. The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, California, is a favorite with Angelenos who shop for mid-century modern furniture, vintage clothes, comic books and collectsibles, antiques, jewelry, and more from some 2,500 vendors who set up shop on the second Sunday of every month. Back east in Brimfield, Massachusetts, is the thrice-annual Brimfield Antique Flea Market, which features thousands of vendors selling everything and anything and is a yearly pilgrimage for decorators and design-minded folk from around the country (and world). Live music, concession stands, fresh produce, crafts, used records, secondhand threads, and, of course, cowboy boots can be found at the Austin Country Flea, which is open on weekends.
