Traditionally set up on the outskirts of large cities, flea markets are places where time has stopped and all the centuries of history embrace each other in a few square meters through the most unique objects. They sell jewelry that someone else no longer wants, but also all sorts of junk. The expression marché aux puces became especially popular in France at the end of the 19th century and appeared around 1900 thanks to what is considered the oldest second-hand market in the world: Saint-Ouen, in Paris. With its timeless atmosphere and over 2,500 merchants who attract bargain hunters, fans of strange objects, and curious people in search of surprises in the midst of a microcosm full of stories, there is everything here: from military items, vintage furniture, and antiques to unusual objects, second-hand clothing, and old books. According to tradition, the origin of the name flea market refers to the fact that merchants, to survive, collected objects found in the streets and resold them on the outskirts of the city, and in the second-hand clothes, all sorts of flea-infested items were found, so the buyer assumed that fleas were included and the markets became popularly known as flea markets.
The best summer collectibles and antiques markets
In Catalonia there are options to choose from and rummage through and discover objects from other times in danger of extinction
BarcelonaBeyond the tourist market of Encants in Plaça de les Glòries or the already historic Camello in Portaferrissa, Catalonia is full of small and large fairs of antique dealers, opportunities and collectibles to visit this summer throughout the most diverse towns on the coast and inland, with special abundance in the towns of Girona, and to vary a little from the (also) routine of looking for a spot on the beach for the umbrella and towel. These types of fairs are, moreover, spaces for discovering treasures: antique plates, historical photographs that could well inspire a novel or chandeliers of the kind not sold at Ikea are some of their great attractions. They also bring the pleasure of haggling in the heart of 21st century Catalonia, exchanging trading cards, looking for old typewriters, accordion cameras, postcards of the first Coca-Cola ads, iconic siphons or Playmobil figures and enjoying the satisfaction and good prices of second-hand items, which also contribute to the circular economy. In Catalonia there are true marchés aux puces to choose from, like the most ambitious ones in France or the rastros most emblematic of the late last century where you can waste time rummaging until you find a unique and singular treasure at a bargain price.
![Objectes insòlits al Mercat Gòtic de Barcelona.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On August 1st and 2nd, and from September 10th to 17th, the Gothic Market can be a discovery for those who don't have it on their radar and believe that Barcelona only has the Encants. This is a historic market dating back to 1977 and featuring about thirty exhibitors selling art, antiques, and collectibles in equal measure. It is one of the city's most popular curiosity markets, which, backed by 40 years of history, is open every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In their stalls, you can find very diverse specialties, disciplines, and artistic styles, from the Isabelline and Alfonsine to Modernist, Art Deco, and contemporary, represented through a wide range of antique decorative art objects, numismatics, books, antique paper, silverware, jewelry and antique clocks, toys and dolls from other times, cameras, records, and specialized collectibles.
The Figueres Flea Market is one of the best known in the field of antiques. This market is held on the city's Rambla on the third Saturday of each month and is organized by the Casino Menestral Figuerenc. Likewise, at its stalls, you can find all kinds of antiques and collector's items that are most surprising and unexpected: records, books, furniture, stamps and coins, among others. In fact, Figueres is a city of markets where traditional food products and consumer goods are also sold. On the other hand, a visit to this market may well justify a stop at the renowned Dalí Museum.
As a bit of a surprise out of nowhere, the Second-Hand or Flea Market of Celrà is a must-stop for those traveling along the Costa Brava on Saturdays who come across it – or go there specifically.
Located at kilometer 28 of the Palamós road and equipped with shaded awnings, in this apparently inhospitable stretch of road (where parking is very easy) antique stalls, vintage objects, collectibles, and second-hand items gather every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., such as romantic toys, tableware from another era for hanging beautiful plates on Instagram, and the most unusual assorted curiosities. It is possible to find any whim one did not know they had. This market is one of the classics that has been dynamizing the activity of searching and rummaging for years.
Known as the Old Market of Verges or the Enchantment of the Empordà, this is one of the markets with the most unexpected surprises. The fair, with 13 years of history, is held from 8 am to 2 pm every Sunday at the main crossroads of the Girona town. In its large open space, you can find everything from restored vintage motorcycles and cars to pieces of baroque jewelry, vintage sofas, carboys, old clothing perfect as theatrical props, unsettling cradles from other times, and suitcases from the first transatlantic voyages. In addition, this market also features emerging and vintage art. Among the clientele are summer season regulars who consider that interesting objects are always found there. Likewise, there are many professional stalls and a good atmosphere. "Calmly, two hours pass and you still haven't seen everything," says a visitor.
Every first Sunday of the month, and every fourth when the month has five Sundays, the Craft and Antiques Market is held in Santa Margarida i els Monjos, in l'Alt Penedès. It is a market specializing in crafts, food, collectors, antique dealers, and old books that aims to complement the weekly market of the municipality with unique jewelry, objects, and pieces. A visit to this town can be complemented by discovering other attractions, such as the Font de Sant Llorenç, the Pins Alts forest, the Torrent de Cal Bruna, and the Foix river.
Between 5 PM and 9 PM on the third Saturday of each month, Carrer del Carme in Tàrrega, in the heart of the city center, hosts the Market of Antiques and Arts. With 26 years of history, it offers the possibility to buy, sell, and exchange all kinds of antique and second-hand items: books, comics, stamps, coins, postcards, beer mats, posters, cinema and video game programs, films, and music in classic formats. This is an initiative of the Tàrrega Cultural Center, supported by the City Council. Second-hand dealers and antique dealers gather at this important meeting point for the sector, where they also take the opportunity to exchange their materials.
The beautiful town of Camprodon celebrates the Playmobil Collectors' Fair every year, an event that takes place in the middle of the month and consists of a gathering for lovers of these iconic figures. Organized by the town council, the fair hosts from August 14th to 17th (from 11 am to 2 pm, and from 4 pm to 9 pm) exhibitions of dioramas, inflatables, craft workshops, sales stalls, a photocall, and a children's diorama competition.
Organized by the Association of traders of Plaça de Sant Fèlix, the Lleona de Girona Exchange Market is a small collectors' and antiques fair held every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm in Plaça de Sant Feliu and Carrer de Jaume Pons Martí. This small fair brings together collector's items, antique pieces, and also artisan foods and is held at the lioness column. Tradition has it that those who visit Girona must kiss the lioness's posterior (sealed due to the pandemic), in reference to the famous column at the entrance to the old town, to ensure their return. In this area, twice a month, this small fair is set up where unique items can be found, surrounded by the Jewish Quarter. Visitors can take advantage of their visit to Girona to also visit on Saturdays the Artisan Food Market and the Stone Bridge Artisan Products Fair-Market, in addition to visiting the city's beauty.
