From young Berliners bargain-hunting secondhand clothes, new residents looking for the right addition for their home, or travelers seeking vintage souvenirs, Berlin’s flea markets are a sure-fire way to find both the expected and the unexpected.
Held in almost every Berlin “Bezirk”, weekend flea markets are known for being messy, busy, colorful and simply fun.
Grab your favorite tote bag and find out what makes Berlin’s flea markets some of the best in the world.Here are the best flea markets in Berlin.
Boxhagener Platz: best market for unique finds
Known for its charming cafes and hip bars, Boxhagener Platz transforms over the weekend with its popular Sunday flea market. From old paintings, books and antique furniture, to classic vinyl records and homeware, this market in the district of Friedrichshain is perfect for those hunting something different.
The best part: once you finish your bargain hunting, you can enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants surrounding the square.
Hungry for more? Walk just a couple of blocks from Boxhagener Platz and visit the flea market at RAW compound. It’s a perfect place for finding secondhand clothing and jewelry while making your way in-between early morning bargain hunters and hungover party-goers walking home.
Mauerpark flea market: best market for a party
Some call it overrated, way too touristy and overpriced, butMauerparkremains a staple of Berlin’s culture. It’s a must when you visit Berlin and even though some feel it has lost its charm or it's become a hipster designer market, unique treasures await you, you just may need to dig a bit deeper. Secondhand clothing from different decades, Cold War memorabilia, antique furniture and bric-a-brac are some of the best bargains you can get.
On Sundays however,Mauerpark is way more than just a flea market: it’s multiple parties and a food market with treats from all over the world. Plus you'll see street buskers showcasing their talents, and the largest outdoor karaoke in the world, Bearpit Karaoke.
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Treptow Arena’s indoor flea market: best market for a bargain
No matter if it's raining, snowing or even storming, the flea market in Arena is the ideal place to find a good bargain for something you didn’t know you wanted. With a chaotic atmosphere and labyrinthine routes, this gigantic 32291 sq ft (3000 sq m) hall is one of the largest flea markets in Berlin, and the only place known for offering everything and anything.
Visitors will find antique and new furniture, old electronics, household goods, unwearable shoes, new and secondhand clothing, car tires and even junk, from time to time. You name it, the flea market in Arena has it.Expect to see locals searching for things they need (but can’t find anywhere else) as prices are fair and vendors are also willing to negotiate.
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Nowkoelln flea market: best market for a beer
The hippest district in Berlin deserves the hippest market in town. Located next to the beautiful Maybachufer canal, the Nowkoelln flea market has got a reputation for being a good place to hang out, whether or not you are planning to buy something.
Expect to find a large variety of products as well as great prices with a good chance for bargaining, as young Berliners come here to sell the things they don’t need anymore. Price hunting isn’t the only fun thing to do, it’s normal to grab a beer while wandering around, sit next to the canal to take a rest or simply grab a bite to eat in one of the many food stalls or restaurants around– all of this while listening to some of the street buskers playing their guitars and singing.
Note: this market is open only on the first and third Sunday of the month and only between April and December.
Bodemuseum market: best for books, vinyl and vintage postcards
Situated in the heart of Berlin and surrounded by some of the city’s main attractions, the antique and book market at Bodemuseum has been open every Saturday and Sunday since 1992. It’s one of the oldest, most traditional markets in the city and popular for its large selection of books from all over Europe.
While books and antiques gave the market its name, visitors will also find vinyl records, postcards, pictures, household items, watches, bric-a-brac and from time to time, one or two vendors selling fake Soviet memorabilia.
This market is rarely frequented by locals because it’s located in one of the most touristy areas of Berlin and prices tend to be way above average. Still, its picturesque location and atmosphere make it one of the most beautiful places to stroll around on a weekend.
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Flea market at Rathaus Schöneberg: best for shopping with locals
Primarily known as the place John F. Kennedy once said “Ich bin ein Berliner”, the town hall of Schöneberg hosts what Berliners call “one of the last original flea markets in Berlin”.
This isn’t the place to find hip posters or trendy necklaces. Most of the vendors are locals from the neighborhood looking for a bargain. Expect to see dozens of stalls filled with all kinds of items – providing the perfect opportunity to train your bargain-hunting eye.
Come early if you really want to find treasure among the old furniture, antique photographs and secondhand clothing.
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