Mercat dels Encants - Barcelona

Mercat dels Encants is Barcelona’s largest and best known flea market. Interesting for the mix of really rubbish things (adult video, old cosmetics,, old rusty bikes, …) and gems like vintage furniture, clothes, books… 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.

Antique auctions take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 07:00 to 09:00, when all the commercial buyers are there, and again at 12:00 when all the unsold goods drop in price. The furniture in the big hall to the side of the market is incredible and worth a look in.

The 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 in August.