Flea Markets in Barcelona
Barcelona’s famous for having great shopping streets – Passeig de Gràcia and Portal de l’Àngel are probably the best-known – but if you’re looking for something a little less Zara and more unique, here are some of the coolest flea market and vintage stores in the city.
Els Encants Flea Market – Barcelona, Spain
One of Barcelona’s largest and best loved flea markets! Els Encants Flea Market has been around since the 14th century, and it’s a huge open-air outdoor flea market. All items are sold, old and new, from antiques to power tools and cosmetics.
There is a lot of rubbish to be found at this flea market and some of the vendors just pour all their stuff onto a cloth in front of them so you have to sift through everything. However you do come across some gems. Though this flea market is big and chaotic, there are some great deals if you’re patient enough to unearth them.
Saturday is the busiest day so avoid it if you’re just a casual browser, and if you’re looking for real bargains arrive early at the flea market. Antique auctions take place at 7 am, when all the commercial buyers are there, and again at noon when all the unsold goods drop in price. The furniture in the big hall to the side of the flea market is incredible and worth a look in.
Bargaining is expected and fun! The flea market is meant to carry on until the afternoon but most stalls tend to pack up at midday. Also, a lot of the stalls close for August.
There are also markets in Plaça Reial (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and near Drassanes metro station (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.) on Sundays. Check Plaça Reial for old items like stamps and coins, and the Drassanes market for handmade artisan jewelry, scarves, toys, and so on.
Where: Plaça de les Glories Catalanes, Barcelona
When: Monday 08:30 am – 4 pm / Wednesday 08:30 am – 4 pm / Friday 08:30 am – 4 pm / Saturday 08:30 am – 4 pm
Mercat Gòtic Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain
Mercat Gòtic is a quaint, well-stocked flea market in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Taking place every Thursday (except August) from 9 am to 9 pm, Mercat Gòtic almost overflows with a broad selection of vintage wares.
Flea market and antique enthusiasts can expect to find items such as, hand-painted fine bone china, crystal champagne flutes, war memorabilia and grand mirrors with golden frames.
The market is fairly small in comparison to some of the other flea markets in Barcelona. However, it may be small but it is definitely mighty!
Where: Avenida de la Catedral, Barcelona, Spain
When: Every Thursday (except August) from 9 am to 9 pm
Detailed review of the Mercat Gòtic Barcelona
Mercantic Barcelona
Showcasing hundreds of vintage vendors in the sunny Barcelona suburb of Sant Cugat, Mercantic is open every day (except for Mondays and the whole of August) for vintage furniture and other homeware items. opens on the first Sunday of every month (except August) for their impressive ‘Vintage Fest’.
Mercantic Barcelona is an indoor market located in the sunny Barcelona suburb of Sant Cugat, which hosts over two hundred vendors, grouped into an area of around 15,000 msq. This daily flea market is open Tuesday through Sunday (except the whole of August), and showcases 80 permanent vendors selling their vintage knick knacks, oddities, curiosities, vintage furniture, homeware items and quirky souvenirs.
On the first Sunday of every month Mercantic Barcelona transforms into a blast-from-the-past bonanza called ‘Fest Vintage’. The organizers really up their game and provide even more choice for shoppers.
Where: Avinguda de Rius i Taulet 137, Sant Cugat, Spain
When: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 am – 8 pm (Permanent shops) Sunday: 9:30 am – 3 pm (Permanent shops + flea market) 1st Sunday of the month: 8 am – 3 pm (Vintage Fest)
Detailed review of Mercantic Barcelona
Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep – Barcelona, Spain
The Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep is a little flea market made of Catalan artists and their easels, all located under the shadow of the church. There usually aren’t more than about 15 artists but they cover every style and medium, from watercolors to oils, depicting market stalls to sweeping landscapes. The artists all welcome a bit of a chat if you are brave enough to test your Spanish. Artists also set up their easels
The artists all welcome a bit of a chat if you are brave enough to test your Spanish. Artists also set up their easels on the southern part of La Rambla every evening if a portrait or caricature is what you’re after.
Flea Market Location: Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol (Metro: Liceu – Green Line, L3)
Flea Market Opening time: Every weekend
Fira de Nautumismo – Barcelona, Spain
Not strictly a flea market per se, the Fira de Nautumismo is nonetheless a collector’s heaven with plenty of coins and stamps. Amusingly, when the official market closes in the afternoon, and all the local police go off for their siesta, all the elderly locals from the barrio whip out their belongings to sell!
At the top of Ave. Portal de l’angel there is also often either craft stalls which are great for presents, or a small flea market which won’t take too much time to just take a look over. Sometimes they have lovely antiques and old jewelry.
Flea Market Location: Plaça Reial (Metro Liceu – Green Line, L3)
Flea Market Opening time: Sundays 10 am – 2:30 pm
