8 Flea Markets and Thrift Stores in Bilbao

Bilbao’s biggest and most popular flea market – El Rastro Dos de Mayo takes place on the first Saturday of each month and is located Dos de Mayo Street in old Casco Viejo. The market attracts a bohemian and artistic crowd and sells everything from second hand items to pieces of art and artisanal creations. There are also music and folklore performances, which run alongside the market, making it a fun and entertaining day out.

Housed in the Fábrica Artiach, an old biscuit factory in the traditional Zorrozaurre neighbourhood, you’ll find Open Your Ganbara market on every Sunday. A vast space with more than 2,000 square metres and over 100 exhibitors, it’s filled with fashion designers and jewellery makers showing off their creations, as well as people selling vintage clothing and old toys and books. The Fábrica Artiach is also home to the huge Espacio Open, which offers four different spaces. The old printing press area is now FabLab and Cookie Lab, offering digital workshops on 3D printing and laser cutting, the ham drying room and the old silo are now spaces for events and training, while the biscuit-making room is where the market and various recycling workshops take place.

The heart of the Casco Viejo is the Plaza Nueva, which holds its own market every Sunday. Filled with stalls selling antiques and collectibles, this is the place to come on the look out for treasures. You’ll also find many live birds for sale in cages, whose sweet bird song can be heard throughout the market. As Plaza Nueva is surrounded by many delicious pintxos bars, you’re guaranteed not to go hungry here. Check out our article on some the best pintxos bars surrounding the square.

Bilbao’s hipster market feels like it’s something out of London’s East End or New York’s Brooklyn. It’s located very centrally in a huge building on Calle de Ercilla near La Plaza de Federico Moyúa. Filled with vintage clothes stalls, design products and funky furniture, it aims to sell ‘beautiful things’. Not solely a market however, The Sunday Market also offers pop-up bars, live music, DJs spinning the latest tunes, along with cupcake and coffee stands. Come here to soak up Bilbao’s trendy vibes. The market doesn’t have set dates, so check their Facebook page for the next one.

Music fans will be in for a treat if they find themselves in Bilbao on the last Sunday of the month, when MuMe Mercado Musical takes place. The market is especially dedicated to music, and sells everything from vinyl to cds, band memorabilia and t-shirts. Second hand instruments are also up for grabs. As well as the stalls, visitors will find music workshops, open-mic sessions, live performances and music demonstrations.

Koopera Store is run by the Cooperative of Social Initiatives and Enterprises, who aim to promote recycling and sustainable consumption. All of the items in the store are either second hand or made from recycled objects. The shop has a particular focus on sustainable fashion, so it’s a great place to come if you’re on the look out for a new outfit.

Union Recycling is located in the heart of the Casco Viejo area of the city and is all about vintage clothing. Whether you’re looking for 70s style coats with lots of sheep wool and fake fur around the collar and sleeves, 50s style rock dresses or colourful leather jackets, they’ve got you sorted.

Another great find located in the Casco Viejo area, Hasiberriro Denda Solidarioa is also about second hand, reusing and recycling. They sell everything from clothes and books to games and jewellery. Also a social enterprise, they promote volunteering and hold monthly workshops and talks. https://instagram.com/p/BPhkmx_gaCD/?taken-by=hasiberrirodendasolidarioa