Barcelona's Specialty Markets
Mercat dels Encants
The most characteristic of Barcelona's second hand markets is Mercat dels Encants, one of the oldest in Europe. Dating back to the early 14th century, it originated at the gates of the city. Its location changed numerous times over the centuries, then in 2013 it moved to a spectacular, newly-constructed building Plaça de les Glòries, designed by the architects at b720 Fermín Vázquez. Business still goes on in the open air, and the most characteristic feature is the auctions from 8:00 to 9:00. With over 300 stalls, you can buy almost anything here (both new and used): clothes, furniture, antiques, domestic electrical appliances, cosmetics, toys and books. Like the vendors' association says, there is "everything from a button to a cannon." Food and drink is available at a number of cafes, street food stands and bars with terraces and spectacular views on offer.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9:00-20:00 (except holidays). Plaça de les Glòries. Metro: L1 Glòries and L2 Monumental
Sant Antoni's Sunday Market
Another popular site is the Mercat Dominical de Sant Antoni. This is the biggest book, magazine, postcard and video game fair in the world. Stalls line all four streets surrounding the historic Sant Antoni Market: Carrer de Tamarit, Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, Carrer de Manso and Carrer del Comte Borrell. As well as stalls selling old and second-hand books, you can find all kinds of magazines, comics, old documents, drawing products, minerals and stamps. These days the market has widened its range to include multimedia products.
Open Sundays 8:00-15:00. Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, Metro: L2 Sant Antoni and L1 Urgell.
El Mercat Gòtic
In the heart of the historic city center surrounded by towering gothic buildings El Mercat Gòtic specializes in antiques and collectables. With 28 exhibitors, this small market packs in a wide variety of unique and unusual treasures. A paradise for antique enthusiasts and a fantastic trip to the past, you'll discover old jewelry, religious memorabilia, postcards, ceramics, dinnerware, toys, dolls, old coins, clocks, cameras, engravings, records, knick-knacks and so much more.
Open most Thursdays and Fridays 10:00-20:00 and on some holidays (Closed August, November and most of December—be sure to check the website for the full schedule before heading down.) Plaça de la Catedral. Metro L4 Jaume I and L3 Liceu.
Mercat de Colom
Located at the foot of Les Rambles, the Mercat de Colom is another secondhand market specializing in antiques, collectibles and vintage items. You'll find almost any kind of collectible you can image including old photographs, military memorabilia, vintage tobacco items, vinyl, books, toys, vintage jewelry, bijouterie and vintage accessories, silverware, old coins, minerals, original sculptures and paintings, religious items, old advertising, cameras, pins and stamps.
Open Saturday and Sunday in the winter and Friday to Sunday in the warmer months, 10:00-20:00. Mirador de Colom. Metro L3 Drassanas.
Palo Alto Market
This is not your average monthly street fair. When you step through the gates, you feel like you’ve entered a tiny world unto itself, populated by musicians, artisans, designers and chefs. It is, as director and founder Pedrin Mariscal calls it, “an urban oasis, to be enjoyed with all five senses.”
The Palo Alto Market’s 3,700 m2 space is divided into four outdoor streets (Principal Avenue, Food Street, Central Street and Bugambilia Street) and three interior galleries (Art Gallery, Espai Black and Espai Blanc). It houses approximately 100 exhibitors at any one time. The multidisciplinary art and design on sale has a strong emphasis on alternative aesthetics, and you can browse handmade crafts, recycled products, street art, restored vintage objects and emerging design trends. Add music and street theatre performances, and you have a magical environment in the middle of the increasingly up-and-coming Poblenou.
Held on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month (except August) with a few extra weekends thrown in. Entry is to the market is €5.50 and tickets must be bought in advance on the Palo Market Fest website. Pet friendly. Carrer Pellaires 30-38. Metro L4 Poblenou or Selva de Mar.
Flea Markets
Just like in many other European cities, the Catalan capital also has a good number of flea markets, based on exchange and recycling.
Flea Market Barcelona hosts two monthly second-hand markets on Sundays: El Flea at Plaça de Blanquerna and Fleadonia at Plaça de Salvador Seguí in El Raval. There you can find little treasures in the form of books, records, clothes, fashion accessories and so on. Its slogan removes any doubt about what it is: “One man’s garbage is another man’s gold.”
See the Flea Market Barcelona website for details.
Markets Barcelona (formerly Two Markets) regularly hosts two second-hand markets as well. Embrace sustainability at the Todo a 1€ second-hand market, which sells everything from clothes and accessories to books and household goods and is usually held on a Sunday at either Nau Bastik or the Ovella Negra in Poblenou. Because everything really is one euro, it's the cheapest second-hand market in Barcelona. The group also organizes Give Me 5!: Vintage Market where you'll find more than 1,000 Kg of vintage clothing priced €5 or less.
Entry is usually free and the markets are often pet friendly (depending on the venue). Check the Markets Barcelona website for details.
Published August 2014, updated November 5, 2023.