Whether you are after some vintage clothes, a hidden treasure that offers a link back to the city’s past, or simply a second-hand bargain, here is a comprehensive guide to the best 8 flea markets in Barcelona where you can rummage to your heart’s content.
1. Palo Market Fest: the flea market for cool cats
I wrote about Palo Market Fest (Carrer dels Pellaires, 30-38), formerly known as Palo Alto, in my piece on street food in Barcelona.
While it’s principally known for its culinary delights, it is also a port of call for Barcelona’s designers, who adorn their stands with arts and crafts as well as second-hand clothes, homeware, and nick-nacks.
Palo Market Fest is held the first weekend of every month in a huge garden space wrapped around an artist’s studio. I always try and get here when I am in Barcelona because it’s like a free day out – music, shopping food, and a lovely weekend atmosphere.
Hopefully, even if you’re just in Barcelona for a day, you’ll be lucky enough to be here on a weekend when there is a market going on!
With live music and DJs providing a soundtrack as shoppers pass the stalls and food trucks, it has a cool but fun atmosphere.
Entry costs €5 but there are concessions for the disabled and those accompanying them, as well as for locals.
2. Els Encants: the classic street market
While a lot of street markets in Barcelona are new, Els Encants (Carrer de los Castillejos 158) has been around since the 1300s!
Its name is related to the Catalan word for charm, and it is undeniably quaintly charming. It is the flea market I visit most often because it is in a central location, it’s enormous, and because I never go home empty-handed!
On my last visit to Els Ecants, my partner had a sore knee and I found a little memory foam knee cushion – it goes everywhere with him now!
Els Encants specializes in furniture and decorative pieces, but there are several clothes stalls too. It has different sections but it is only loosely organized.
The area around Glòries metro is in a constant state of change and development, and the market has evolved in recent years.
Back in 2008, the city council paid for an eye-catching modern roof to cover the market’s more than 500 vendors.
Els Encants is Barcelona’s biggest flea market, and is open for business several days a week: there are markets on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 am – 8 pm.
3. El Flea: the most popular vintage market
Flea Market Barcelona (Plaça de Blanquerna) was one of the first of the new wave of flea markets in Barcelona, having been around since 2007, hence its rather on-the-nose name!
Behind the Maritime Museum near the bottom of La Rambla, this market is ideal if you want to have a mooch without straying too far away from Barcelona’s main attractions.
It is generally held every second Sunday but check its website. It is always kept up to date, something which can’t be said for all markets!
The same organization also holds El Fleadonia (Plaça Salvador Seguí) on the first Sunday of the month.
The markets are a hotbed for vintage items of all shapes and sizes, and especially cool for their great collections of books and music.
4. Lost & Found: the hip joint
You don’t have to be a hipster to love Lost and Found (Plaça del Mar/Estació de França) – but it helps!
This is one of the best flea markets in Barcelona for fashionistas: sunglasses, watches, and vintage clothes are all in bountiful supply.
Entry is free but dates can vary so keep an eye on their website – the flyer for the next market usually holds pride of place.
Both locations are great for different reasons. Plaça del Mar is right in front of the beach at Barceloneta, making this a flea market with an ocean view!
However, I might even prefer Estació de França as a venue: it’s a classically beautiful train station that just oozes romance, and is perfectly in keeping with a vintage vibe.
5. Markets Barcelona: €1 is always a good price
Markets Barcelona runs several different flea markets.
They made their name with Two Market, where everything – and we are talking furniture, clothes, accessories, everything – costs €1. Talk about unbeatable prices!
This is still held at the Ovella Negra Bar (Carrer de Zamora 78) in Poblenou, generally on the first Sunday of the month, but check the website before making the journey. Entry costs €2 but you can still buy three things with the change from a €5 bill!
More recently the same organizers have launched Booom Market, a pop-up flea market that tours the city.
This second-hand market is especially good for vintage sportswear (including football jerseys) and even work uniforms! And despite today’s rates of inflation, prices are all still between €1-€5.
Entrance is free and the market is usually held on the second Sunday of the month.
6. Mostra d’Art de Pintors del Pi: art for artists’ sake
Smack-bang in the center of things, La Mostra d’Art de Pintors del Pi has a great location between La Boqueria and Barcelona’s cathedral.
Here, local painters sell their wares and work in front of you, demonstrating their skills in the shadow of the Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi. This gives visitors the chance not only to buy unique pieces at a good price but also to do it with the knowledge that the money is going straight to the source.
Artists gather here with their easel six days a week (like all good creators, they rest on Sundays), from 8 am-8 pm.
7. Coins and stamps market: the place for people watching
And now for something completely different.
The Mercat de Numismàtica i Filatèlia (Plaça Reial) is a journey into another world, where coins and stamp collectors come to this street market, every Sunday from 9:30-14:30, to seek out little treasures.
While the Numismatics and Philately Market is obviously a niche interest, there is something endearing about watching enthusiasts hunt for the latest addition to their trove, and the stalls bring a charm to an already very picturesque square found just off La Rambla.
The flaps of the stalls are green for numismatics (coins), and maroon for philately (stamps).
There are lots of cafés with outdoor seating, so this makes for a very nice spot for people-watching.
8. Mercantic: traveling further afield
For those who are a little more adventurous, taking the FGC train to Volpelleres will lead you to Mercantic.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am-8 pm, and Sunday 9.30 am-3 pm, Mercantic is a permanent flea market in the town’s old ceramic factory.
Since 1992, more than 100 merchants have occupied this huge (15,000m2) of space, which is divided into cute, colorful wooden cabins.
Mercantic specializes in furniture and antiques and also has two on-site restaurants. The market’s website even has an online shop to give you an idea of the range of styles and price
