Summer flea markets in Europe emanate a unique, inspiring vibe. In summer, even antique markets have the light-hearted atmosphere of a summer festival. At the same time, they provide a unique look into the history and society of the place. While some of the weekly flea markets in Europe may slow down a little in August, huge flea market extravaganzas and antique fairs pop up. These exciting occasions often gather an incredible number of vendors at the fairgrounds, selling show-stopping European antiques and other curiosities.
We have tapped into our flea market expertise and put together a list of the best flea markets in Europe to visit this summer:
Brugge Zandfeesten (Bruges, Belgium)
Brugge Zandfeesten is one of the largest antiques and second-hand market in Flanders. It attracts hundreds of vendors, and thousand of bargain-hunters from Belgium and its neighboring countries. The flea market event only takes place on three Sundays a year: during the warm summer months of July and August, as well as in late September.
The overall venue of Zandfeesten spreads over 3 miles (5 km): from Het Zand to Beursplein and the adjacent Koning Albertpark. Because the flea market takes place only three days a year, Brugge Zandfeesten turns the quaint town of Bruges into a shopping destination like no other.
Schedule: one Sunday in July, August, and September
More information: Read our full review of Zandfeesten on Fleamapket
Gran Balon Flea Market (Turin, Italy)
Since 1935, the weekly Balon del Sabato in Turin has offered a cornucopia of antique merchandise from across Italy and beyond. There is also authentic Italian food, second-hand merchandise, footwear, clothes, house wares and toys to be found.
The sprawling Balon del Sabato is among Europe’s largest open-air markets. With its 1,000 merchants and 700 street vendors it is a commercial hub attracting a crowd of browsers, collectors, and tourists. Once a month, the surrounding streets of Porta Palazzo get even more packed, when antique dealers display the very best antiques they have to offer for the Gran Balon. A true flea market extravaganza, the monthly Gran Balon makes a visit to this noisy and inspiring market even more interesting.
Schedule: weekly Sunday market (Gran Balon on one Sunday each month)
More information: Read our full review of Balon del Sabato on Fleamapket
Frederiksberg Loppetorv (Copenhagen, Denmark)
In the warm months of spring and summer, Copenhagen transforms into one of Europe’s best spots to shop for vintage. There are several interesting flea markets in Copenhagen. One of them is the weekly Frederiksberg Loppetorv, which is held from early April to mid-October. It is one of the largest and busiest flea markets in Copenhagen, held in a parking lot next to the Frederiksberg City Hall.
Enjoy a Danish hotdog and a pint of “Gammel Dansk” bitters while you take a stroll around the market. Frederiksberg flea market features over 90 stalls which offer almost everything you can wish for. There is Danish fashion and second-hand clothes, antique furniture, antique crockery, Danish design decor items, design lamps, ceramics and more. Due to the upscale nature of the neighborhood, items sold at Frederiksberg Loppetorv flea market tend to be of high quality, making it a good bet to find great and useful stuff at reasonable prices.
Schedule: Every Saturday, April to October
More information: Read our full review of Frederiksberg Loppetorv on Fleamapket
Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair (Ardingly, UK)
The Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair has a reputation as one of the UK antique fairs where quality European decorative items can be found. The antique fair features over 1,700 stallholders with a great selection of goods, ranging from fine antique furniture to delicate ceramics.
Because it is located only one hour away from London, Ardingly Antiques Fair is a truly cosmopolitan antique event. It is a hot spot for local and international dealers and buyers who come from afar to look for unusual bits of furniture or quirky accent pieces.
With a combination of inside and outdoor stands, this mid-week fair is the perfect opportunity to indulge in a little vintage shopping or hours of professional trading this summer.
Schedule: once a month, Tuesday through Wednesday
More information: Read our full review of Ardingly International Antiques Fair on Fleamapket
Ciney Expo Flea Market and Antique Fair (Ciney, Belgium)
One of the largest flea market and antique fairs in Belgium, Ciney Puces et Salon des Antiquaires showcases more than 700 exhibitors from Belgium, France, Germany, Holland or even Italy. The Ciney Expo Antique Fair is held only twice a year over three days each and welcomes over 15,000 visitors.
Ciney Puces et Salon des Antiquaires is famous because of its unique concept of unpacking at the back of the truck: on the first day of the fair, over 500 trucks gather on Ciney Expo’s car park. At 2 pm sharp, the gates of the fairgrounds open to visitors, who then rush as fast as possible to the trucks in search of rare and unusual objects. This is really a must-do if you attend the fair!
Schedule: 3 days, end of July (Friday – Sunday)
More information: Read our full review of Ciney Antiques Fair on Fleamapket
Vlooienmarkt IJ-Hallen (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
One of Europe’s largest monthly indoor flea market, Amsterdam’s Vlooienmarkt IJ-Hallen is a sprawling indoor and outdoor market. Luckily, the indoor market is protected from Amsterdam’s unpredictable rain showers. In the warm season, the number of vendors grows from 500 to 750 vendors, most of them setting up their stalls in the outdoor area between the former shipyards.
The IJ-Hallen flea market is a prime destination for die-hard second-hand shoppers from all over Europe and beyond. Vendors at IJ-Hallen sell antiques, vintage furniture and home decor, vintage fashion, interior design, jewelry, books, vintage pull-down charts, kitchenalia, and just about anything else you can think of.
Schedule: once a month on Saturday, Sunday (usually midmonth)
More information: Read our full review of IJ-Hallen flea market on Fleamapket
Bleší Trhy Praha Vysočany – former Kolbenova Flea Market (Prague, Czech Republic)
Prague is a magnet for tourists from all over the world, boasting one of Europe’s most beautiful historic city centers. However, the narrow cobblestone alleys can sometimes feel overcrowded. That is the moment to head out to Bleší Trhy Praha (Vysočany). A visit of the largest flea market in the Czech Republic (formerly Kolbenova flea market), will take you off the beaten track, with the potential to find hidden treasures. The weekly flea market takes place every weekend in Prague’s Vysočany district. It can be easily reached within 20 minutes from the city center via public transportation.
When visiting Bleší Trhy Praha, do not expect a carefully curated antique market. This is a flea market for shoppers that are willing to get their hands dirty to uncover treasures. The market is fairly huge and its 650 vendors sell everything you could possibly imagine – from used electronics to vintage clothing, historic artifacts and antique furniture.
Schedule: Every Saturday and Sunday.
More information: Read our full review of Prague Flea Market on Fleamapket
Lincolnshire International Antiques and Home Show (Lincoln, UK)
Since its establishment in 1995, the bi-monthly Lincolnshire International Antiques and Home Show has become one of the largest antique markets in Europe. Nowadays, it is a true antiquing extravaganza featuring thousands of antique vendors over 200 acres of land in the English East Midlands.
Besides antiques and vintage enthusiasts, the Lincolnshire International Antiques and Home Show attracts collectors and professionals. Shoppers include interior designers, landscape designers, props buyers from production companies, designers, and thousands of shoppers from around the world.
Schedule: Monday to Tuesday, late July or early August
More information: Read our full review of Lincolnshire International Antiques and Home Show
Flohmarkt am Mauerpark (Berlin, Germany)
The Flohmarkt am Mauerpark in Berlin is one of Germany’s most popular weekly flea markets. Every Sunday around 500 vendors gather in the Mauerpark between Wedding and Prenzlauer Berg. The park is an important recreational area for the busy population of Berlin, seeking to spend some time surrounded by nature. Mauerpark flea market is a huge flea market, covering around 7000 square meters. Up to 30,000 visitors flock to the Mauerpark Flea Market each Sunday, rain or shine.
Both professional vendors and private individuals are welcome to sell their items at Mauerpark flea market. Thus, the quality of merchandise sold at the market varies. There are treasures to be found among the trash and, given the size of the market, you can be pretty sure that you will take home something interesting. While you are there, be sure to sample the great street food and check out the concerts taking place in the park.
When: Sundays, rain or shine
More information: Read our full review of Mauerpark flea market on Fleamapket
International Fair For Art And Antiques Of Isle-sur-la-sorgue (Isle-sur-la-sorgue, France)
The International Fair for Art and Antiques of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the department of Vaucluse, is one of the largest antiques and second-hand fair in Europe. It is known as a potential goldmine for antique dealers looking for French antiques.
Twice a year in spring and summer around 120,000 visitors flock to the quaint Provençal town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Over 450 exhibitors set up their stalls for the antiques fair. In addition, the town’s 300 permanent antique dealers and second-hand shops offer exciting merchandise as well. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is the place to go for antique furniture, old crockery, and other collectibles from the south of France.
Schedule: Easter and mid-August
More information: https://www.fleamapket.com/listing/foire-isle-sur-la-sorgue/
Temploux Flea Market Fair (Temploux, Belgium)
Once a year, on the third weekend of August, the tiny village of Temploux in Belgium swells under the influx of over 130,000 visitors. Featuring more than 1,100 antique dealers and flea market vendors, Temploux flea market is one of the largest antique fairs in western Europe.
It operates nonstop from Saturday morning to Sunday evening and strictly showcases vendors who sell authentic antiques and vintage items. This is the reason why Temploux Flea Market has become one of the most acclaimed antique markets in Belgium and a summer flea market in Europe that should not be missed.
Next Dates: third weekend of August
More information: Read our full review of Temploux flea market on Fleamapket
What to do when summer is almost over? – Late summer flea markets
The end of summer is marked by two extraordinary flea market events in France. On the first weekend of September, vintage and antiques shoppers flock to two of the largest French brocantes, each taking place only once a year: The legendary Grande Braderie de Lille, and the slightly smaller, but just as interesting, Bric-à-Brac de Marsac.
Bric-à-Brac de Marsac (Marsac, France)
Featuring over 700 exhibitors spread on 5 hectares of fields, the Bric-à-Brac de Marsac is one of the largest professional garage sales in France, together with the Grande Braderie de Lille and the Grande Réderie d’Amiens
Schedule: Saturday – Sunday on the first weekend of September
More information: Read our full review of Bric-à-Brac de Marsac antiques fair
Grande Braderie de Lille (Lille France)
Featuring over 10,000 exhibitors, selling everything from knick-knacks to treasures, the Grande Braderie de Lille is the largest flea market in Europe. It is one of the most famous events in France and beyond.
Schedule: Saturday – Sunday on the first weekend of September
More information: Read our review of Braderie de Lille on Fleamapket
Bonus: Europe’s flea markets on a map!
With our tool Fleamapket, you can view over 220 of the best flea markets in Europe on a map! Not only did we include all the flea markets that made it into our ranking of the 10 Summer Flea Markets And Antique Shows You Should Visit in Europe, but we also added some of Europe’s most acclaimed antique fairs to the mix.
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