10 Best Flea Markets and Thrift Stores in Valencia

It’s well worth seeking out La Señora Henderson, a vintage thrift store much-loved by locals. The tiny boutique has beautifully-themed window displays featuring antique furniture and vintage baskets. They have an interesting selection of jewelry, from delicately-beaded necklaces, to flamboyant flamenco hoop earnings, and giant satin flowers. The prices are super, too: winter jumpers start at €6 and the bargain €3 box is always well-stocked. Antique photographs of Valencian grandparents gaze benignly from their frames as you rifle through the vintage luggage, gloves and jewelry. In summer this store is a garden of summery prints and in winter a den of alpine jackets, knits and leather flying caps. In the middle of the store is an elegant wooden changing room made from an antique elevator carriage circa 1900, salvaged from a local town house during renovations. La Señora Henderson has two sister shops in the city and each has a distinctive feel.

If sugar-pastel 1950s’ dresses and accessories are your dream, pop your head into Trixie’s Vintage Emporium and say hello to Lindsay. She left her job as a headteacher in England eight years ago to set up this hidden jewel of a shop. She’s a talented seamstress who sources authentic vintage dresses for performers, prom nights, and weddings, and you can pick up a piece of her style for yourself.

Tucked away on one of our favorite streets in the El Carmen neighborhood you’ll find La Vespa Roja (The Red Vespa), a cool second-hand emporium where the 1970s are still very much alive and kicking. The slide music grooves you back to the days of rainbow glitter and flares, however the stock is pleasingly varied and includes some good military jackets and cute khaki berets alongside the ’70s gear. The prices are mid-range but the quality is good. Best buys are denim overalls, garish shirts, and plastic bead necklaces.

On the upper corner of Plaza Tossal sits Clot Vintage. This is one of the biggest thrift stores in town and offers a comprehensive range of second hand denim, Converse All Stars, clutch bags, and retro dresses. They specialize in cowboy boots, and prices (and quality) tend to be low.

A more glamorous spot is Camden Vintage. Catering almost solely for women, this little hideaway has a distinct Audery Hepburn vibe. You’ll find vintage Loewe leather handbags and strappy sandals. Their racks sparkle with a mix of new and genuine vintage. Look for pretty skirts and short dresses and their in-house Chanel- and YSL-inspired logo T-shirts. Don’t expect a bargain: this is more of a dressing-up box; but you may find a gem for a fancy dress party or girls’ night out.

Next door, Santo Spirito is the antithesis of Camden Vintage. Giant glass windows frame a spacious warehouse of American retro gear. You’ll flash back to the ’80s and sense the splash of tropical shores from the long racks of Hawaiian shirts. It’s wall-to-wall American sports jackets, heavy frame sunnies and guys’ and girls’ denim at rock-bottom bargain prices.

Continue down the street and you’ll find a tiny thrift store on the corner. SuKarma is small but has a perfect selection of dresses, bags and fabulous sky-high Vivienne Westwood-style heels. The clothes here are second hand rather than vintage, but the prices are a joy.

If you fancy a bargain hunt you might enjoy this spot next door, with its flashing neon SOHO sign straight off the streets of London. The rails are packed with a suitably shabby selection of grungy denim, fur coats, and a great selection of spiked-toe snakeskin boots.

Well known throughout the city for its live music, Radio City is a popular night spot. Sunday afternoons have recently seen the club open its doors to another type of event, welcoming shoppers who want to browse a wide range of vintage and craft stalls. There’s a good choice of retro clothing, especially 80s’ wear, as well as prints and postcards, and the stalls are well presented. You can grab a drink from the bar while you wander, or chat over a dish of house paella. The schedule for this relatively new event is somewhat erratic, so check the website for details of the next market. This is the most central of the markets, although the smallest, but if you’re out and about in the Old City area enjoying the café-bars around Plaza Tossal, pop in and bag yourself an original souvenir from your trip to Valencia.

The artsy district of Ruzafa is a natural starting point for any curious vintage shopper, and it doesn’t disappoint. A monthly pop-up market is held on Sunday mornings at El Patio, a versatile space next door to the much-loved UBIK café and bookshop. Called Il Market, it’s run by local event organizers Il Quartiere. The narrow corridor leads you to a sunny hideaway packed with table-top stalls mainly selling second hand women’s clothing, shoes and bags. Good finds include leather jackets, denim, designer labels and up-cycled vintage fabric bags and purses. El Patio is famed for its Sunday lunch paella and you can enjoy watching the chefs cooking up a feast on giant gas rings at the back of the garden. Ruzafa is delightfully peaceful on Sundays, so this is the perfect time to stroll around and soak up its famous pueblo (village) atmosphere.

By far the biggest and best second-hand flea market in town. Every Sunday morning from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., come rain or shine, this immense outdoor market takes over the Mestalla Stadium car park. Regular vendors stock Valencian ceramics, antique hand-painted tiles, glass light fittings, and lace. Plus there are plenty of antique toys, second hand clothes, electronics, and retro Spanish magazines of a decidedly adult nature. The market is policed, but you’ll want to keep a hand on your valuables, and it’s polite to check with vendors before taking photos.