Flea/Second-Hand Markets: which are your favorites?
 

On my last trip to Europe (over 20 years ago!), some of my most-memorable experiences were the second-hand markets that we just happened to stumble upon when we were looking for something else. This trip we'd like to ensure that we see some of these again... and some of the great ones we missed. Does anyone have any favorites that they'd like to share -- the street locality and the days of the week? We have about sixteen cities on our list of places to visit, so all ideas will be welcomed.

If London is one of your cities - we got up very early one Friday morning and went to Bermondsey market. Talking to the vendors was fun and I got a great bargain on a lovely blue salt-glazed pot. Also, the nearby Borough market is interesting for food-shopping (open Friday and Saturday). Both are on the South Bank.

Hi, Mrs Wilde!
Yep, London is on our list, and we have now written Bermondsey Market at the top of our Fleamarket list.... many thanks. I recall there was a beauty in Rome, and another terrific one in Amsterdam, where I got a pile of old books and records which I had to send home by seamail. Can't remember where, exactly, these were, however... we just happened upon them. Maybe someone can enlighten me. Thanks again!

The great flea market in Rome is probably Porto Portese, goes on for miles, it seems, we loved it...we loved browsing, going back this month and putting aside Sunday for it (only open sunday until about 1:00 pm

I enjoyed the flea market we came across in Brussels very much.

I also love the small brocantes which tend to be held in many different villages of Northern France around Spring time. They may be held elsewhere too, I don't know.

The trouble is that the word brocante also refers to permanent second hand/ bric a brac stores, and whilst they may have bargains inside, they aren't the fun and atmospheric events that annual village brocante fairs are.

Perhaps local tourist offices might be able to provide listings of villages and dates.

Villages near each other won't go for the same weekend as the whole point is that people from the surrounding area are the customers for each one!

Thanks, Lostagain and Kavey... all this is extremely helpful. Hopefully, other posters will add even more if I top this every now and then, and I will end up with a whole month of rummaging to do! Do you think I might stumble on the Mona Lisa?

Also, where is the Amsterdam flea market? I remember it being great for books!