Anyone know of good flea markets with antiques throughout Europe?
I am trying to find some good antique, bric-a-brac flea markets throughout Europe when taking a trip. I have only seen the standard big flea markets listed in London, and Paris in my travel tourist guide. My experience has been that most of the places listed in the travel guides are primarily overpriced tourist traps.
I am looking for other flea markets that are not listed in the tourist books. I am looking for unlisted flea markets that cannot afford the money to get listed in a travel guide, and so are totally off the radar screen.
Does anyone know of any good flea markets in Austria, Hungary, or for that matter anywhere in Europe, the U.K. and Ireland?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks!
In Vienna, there’s the Naschmarkt every day (but biggest on the weekend, especially Saturday) off the ring near the opera. It has some furniture. You see more flea markets in villages during the summer.
There was a good flea market for furniture and housewares when I was in Aix-en-Provence in southern France (I was there on a Saturday, I think) near the town hall. It was a few blocks from where I was staying but I don’t remember the specific street. There’s supposed to be a good flea market in Annecy, but I never went to it. Anywhere in France or french-speaking Switzerland (i.e. Geneva or Coppet) look for Brocante stores off the tourist trail and you’re likely to find better options.
On Saturdays, Ljubljiana in Slovenia has a nice flea market with antiques. It’s off the beaten path so it’s not as touristy but there was a lot of nice stuff from the 1800s/pre-WW2 and then communist era relics (buttons, medals, etc.) It’s alongside the river in the old town. Highly recommended as probably one of the best I went to in Europe. Plus Slovenia is a beautiful place to visit that not many people know about.
I’d actually suggest you look in central/eastern Europe — Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia because places like London or Paris are not going to have bargains (anything really worth while will have been found by a proper collector or clerk) and there’s too many tourists. Go places that are a bit more authentic and offbeat and you’re likely to still find unusual items.