What are Flea Markets?

Known as "Flea Markets", these purchase points have become a must-stop for sustainable consumption that is based on the reuse of all sorts of things.

So, the latest trend for buying or selling these secondhand products (furniture, clothing, decoration...), normally at a very good price, are Flea Markets.

What are these markets like?

The offer is basically unique, secondhand, and many times vintage items: Clothing, decorative items, retro furniture, household items like typewriters, dishes, phones... An endless array of products that offer a more sustainable way to consume, based on recycling and saving money. The demand is mainly from young people searching for originality at a low price.

Where can I find markets like this?

Flea Markets have become a popular trend, so practically every big city has one or more. Would you like to visit the most popular ones?

Madrid:

Mercado de Motores: every first Saturday and Sunday of the month. What does it have to offer? 30 booths with up-and-coming designers, small businesses and on-line sellers. Secondhand and new clothing, accessories, books, records, recycled furniture, headwear, oranges, wine and bicycles. Live music and affordable food stalls. Where? Nave de Motores de Metro. C/ Valderribas, 49, Metro Pacífico.

Mercado de las Ranas: the first Saturday of every month. What does it have to offer? From antiques to fashion, books, art, vintage, sports and gifts. Where? On the streets of the Letras, Metro Sol, Atocha, Sevilla and Antón Martín districts. There are also food stalls.

Rave Market of Lavapiés: exclusively secondhand products. Where? Calle Embajadores, 53. Metro Embajadores. It tends to opens once per month, on different dates, so it is best to consult their website: http://theravemarket.com/.

El Rastro: a mainstay of the secondhand Sunday markets. Where? In Plaza de Cascorro, Metro Embajadores.

Barcelona:

Mercat dels Encants: This is the largest open-air market in the city of Barcelona. What does it have to offer? They sell everything here! New and old items, including: Antiques, cosmetics, decoration... every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It's been around since the 14th century. Where? Plaça Reial, Metro Drassanes.

Flea Market Bcn: What does it have to offer? This market, which started in 2007, offers all sorts of secondhand products. Where? Plaza Blanquerna, metro Drassanes. More info:http://www.fleamarketbcn.com/

New York:

Green Flea NYC: has been open for 25 years on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It was one of the first open-air markets in the city. What does it have to offer? Collectibles, antiques, new handmade items, jewelry, furniture and clothing. Open every Sunday. Where? Columbus Ave. between W. 76th and W. 77th.

London:

Notting Hill flea market: a fun, colorful market, with over 2,000 booths where you can find everything: berries, food, books... Every Saturday, although there are some permanent tents from Monday to Friday. Where? On the famous Portobello Road.

Petticoat Lane: another very famous flea market, open on Sundays and offering clothing for men, women and children.

Mexico City:

Flea Market colonia Roma Norte: one of the 3 most important flea markets in the city, where you can find clothing, food, household items, and collectibles: figurines from movies, television, science fiction or cartoons, all at incredibly affordable prices. Where? Avenida Álvaro Obregón.

Bazar des Antigüedades: takes place on Saturdays, and is covered due to the temperatures that can easily exceed 30 degrees. What does it have to offer? It offers higher quality items than the Roma Norte flea market, including antiques, hardwood furniture, decorative items and traditional ceramics, cut crystal... But it doesn't have Art Deco. Where? Plaza del Ángel, in the Rosa district.

Rio de Janeiro:

Ipanema Market or "Hippie Fair": every Sunday, this market is held in a green open-air space where more than 700 vendors give visitors a glimpse of almost everything. What does it have to offer? Since 1968 when a group of hippies started it, it has grown and the booths display a variety of affordable handmade Brazilian jewelry. Leather items and other fashion accessories, or clothing and even musical instruments are commonly seen in this colorful market. Where? Praça Geneal Osório, Ipanema.

In summary, these markets help us to save money and consume more sustainably by recycling materials and reusing objects at a time when consumption is at such a whirlwind that the planet can no longer continue producing at this pace.

Do you know of any other great Flea Market? Tell us about your experience!

More information: World Flea Markets, Spain Flea Markets.