8 Flea Markets and Thrift Stores in Munich

Perhaps the best known of the Munich flea markets is the one that takes place weekly at Olympiapark. Organised by the Red Cross, it’s an enormous but civilised affair with toilets and snack stalls. It has over 450 stalls every Friday and Saturday except for public holidays. You’ll find the market between the Werner von Linde Halle and the Munich Arena.

With over 2,000 vendors, it’s Bavaria’s largest flea market. Everything from arty prints to bicycles can be found on the rows and rows of picnic tables assembled at Theresienwiese. With so many stalls, there’s healthy competition to stand out, with many using brightly coloured tarpaulins, funny signs and music. This mega-market happens once a year for Frühlingsfest(Spring Festival); the spring tradition has been going for over 25 years, with up to 80,000 bargain hunters descending on the market each year.

Looking to find something really unique? Stoffwechsel is a brilliant second-hand store in the heart of Neuhausen. The stock is well organised by size, and they don’t just take whatever comes their way; they specialise in colourful, vintage clothing and jewellery. Full of hidden treasures and bargains, the store hires people who may find it difficult to get work elsewhere and is a non-profit organization. It’s not open on Sundays or Mondays.

If you’re not one to want to get out of bed on a Saturday morning, the night flea market at TonHalle might be the place for you. Stalls don’t open until 5pm, and this market has a relaxed vibe, with snacks available and live bands playing right up until midnight. It’s indoors, so it’s a great option if the weather has rained off any other weekend bargain hunting. It happens monthly, usually around the middle of the month, and there is a small entrance fee of €11.

This is a second-hand shop rather than a traditional thrift store, and even that label doesn’t really do this place justice. Taking advantage of Munich’s well-heeled population, Macy specialises in designer fashion and accessories — it’s particularly good for women’s shoes and boots. All the clothing is cleaned and if repaired if necessary, so don’t expect rock-bottom prices. For those who are brand-conscious, this is a treasure trove.