If you have an eye for the unusual, a love of history and a fair bit of patience, antiquing is for you. Antique markets are ideal for anyone who loves the thrill of the hunt. Whether it’s a one-off vintage find or that perfect set of shelves to complete your home, these hidden gems are well worth a visit. Antique markets offer something different from regular shopping experiences. They bring together dealers from across the country or even the world in one place so you can see their stock all at once. You can find everything from old books to furniture, artwork, lighting and almost anything else you can think all at bargain prices. They’re also great places to meet like-minded people with specialist knowledge. Here are some of the best antique markets around the world.
London
London is one of the best places in the world to visit a flea market. The city has a wide choice of markets, from vintage collectibles to antiques. Head to Spitalfields, the East End’s famous antique market, where you can expect to come across everything from old books to retro toys and designer furniture. For vintage clothing and accessories, Camden and Portobello Markets are the best places to go. For antique books, try Charing Cross Road or St. George’s Book Fair. If you’re looking to add a piece of history to your home, The London Silver Fair is the place to go. With 14,000 square meters of space, it’s London’s largest silver fair with hundreds of stalls selling antique silverware, antique jewellery and antique watches.
Paris
Paris is the place to go if you’re looking for vintage clothing or antiques. Head to the Marché aux Puces de Montmartre, one of the world’s oldest flea markets, where you’ll find over 1,500 antique dealers in the maze-like streets. Paris also hosts the Paris Vintage Weekend, a two-day event with more than 50 vintage clothing, accessories and furniture dealers in one place. For antique furniture and decorative pieces, go to the Marché aux Merveilles in Paris. This can be a bit tricky to find, so make sure you get the right address. The Marché aux Merveilles is in a small street called Passage du Grand-Cerf. If you’re after antique books, try the Marché aux livres anciens et d’occasion.
Rome
Rome is one of the oldest cities in Europe, so it’s no surprise that the antique market here is huge. For vintage jewellery, you can go to the Via dei Coronari, which has been open since the 16th century. For furniture and decorative pieces, the best market is the Mercato delle Pulci. If you’re after vintage clothing, the Rome vintage market is held at the Piazza dei Mercanti in Rome’s historic centre every first weekend of the month. For antique books, the Fiera Antiquaria at Via del Gonfalone is a good place to go.
Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the best places in Asia to go antiquing. For vintage clothing and accessories, the second-hand markets are ideal. The Shibuya 109 Yoyogi Building, which is located in Shibuya, is one of the best places to go. For furniture and decorative pieces, the Omotesando Street Flea Market is a great place to visit. For antique books, the best place to go is the Shinjuku 2-Chome Book Fair, which is the largest antique book fair in Japan. For antique furniture and decorative pieces, the Kyoto Antique Market is a great place to visit.
Beijing
Beijing is one of the best places in Asia to go antiquing. For vintage clothing and accessories, you can go to the Silk Alley and Nanluoguxiang areas, where the vintage market is held every Saturday and Sunday. If you’re after furniture and decorative pieces, the Wangfujing Antique Market is a great place to visit. For antique books, the Beijing Book Fair is one of the largest in the country. If you’re looking for antique furniture and decorative pieces, the Beijing Antique Fair can be a bit hit and miss. However, it’s worth a visit.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the best places in Asia to go antiquing. The biggest antique fair in Singapore is the Singapore Grand Sale. It takes place over 7 to 10 days during the end of November and the beginning of December. For vintage clothing and accessories, the Chinatown area is a good place to go. For furniture and decorative pieces, the Sim Lim Antique Centre is a great place to visit. If you’re after antique books, the Red Dot Book Fair is worth checking out.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is one of the best places to go antiquing in Europe. For vintage clothing and accessories, the Spui and Hooi Street areas are the best places to go. For furniture and decorative pieces, there are many markets worth visiting. The Brinkmarkt is one of the best places to go. For antique books, the Vogel Boekenmarkt is a must visit. If you’re after antique furniture and decorative pieces, the Hoogstraat and the Voorhaven markets are the best places to go.
Hamburg
Hamburg is one of the best places in Europe to go antiquing. For vintage clothing and accessories, the Steintor Passage Flea Market is a great place to visit. For furniture and decorative pieces, the best place to go is the Hamburger Antik-und-Flohmarkt. For antique books, the Antiquariat am Steintor, Antiquariat am Mönckebergwarte and the Antiquariat im Stadtpark are the best places to go.
Conclusion
Antique markets are the perfect place to find a unique piece or to discover the history behind a treasured antique. These markets are full of interesting people and familiar faces. From vintage clothing to old books, there’s something for everyone. Antique markets are generally held on weekends, so set aside some time to visit one of these great places. You never know what hidden treasure you might find!