The Best Outdoor Vintage Flea Markets In Valencia

The appeal of buying second-hand and vintage is yet to reach much of Spain. So you might be surprised to find that Valencia is home to many good vintage clothing shops, clustered along the cobbled lanes around Plaza del Doctor Collado, close to the Mercado Central. But if you really have the eye of a magpie, or are looking for cheap antiques, you may prefer to go bargain hunting at the city’s vintage flea markets. There are only a handful so far, but they seem to be growing in popularity.

1. El Rastro

Store

Topping our list and a great place to start a lazy Sunday morning is this huge weekly outdoor market. Vendors are licensed – which eliminates the usual mounds of bootleg clothing – and the market retains a very authentic and eclectic feel. You’re likely to unearth unusual toys, traditional ceramics and even antique Valencian tiles among the usual, amusing mix of 80s’ LPs, one-euro garments and rusty farming implements. The vendors are as colorful as their stalls so it’s a glorious place to meet a few local characters and soak up the atmosphere while you’re checking out the antiques and house-clearance dealers. There’s no food for sale but the nearby streets have a plethora of cafés. The market is policed, but be aware that this is one part of town in which you’ll want to keep one eye on your valuables. Come rain or shine, the market occupies the immense Mestalla Football Club car park – so it’s also convenient for any fans wanting to check out the home of Valencia CF.

2. Il Market

Market, Market

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.

Calle Literato Azorín, 13-Bajo Derecha, Valencia, Spain, +34 665 15 18 94

Il Market, second hand market in Valencia. Photo courtesy of Il Quartiere

3. Radio City

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub, Cocktails, Beer

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.