When you think of Spain, you probably think about amazing restaurants, historic buildings, and beautiful churches.
But one of the best things to experience in Spain is its flea markets.
These are some of the biggest and biggest flea markets not just in Europe but anywhere in the world.
Known locally as rastros, these markets may include hundreds of stalls selling everything from antiques to war memorabilia, handmade jewelry and artwork, and much more.
Contents
- Best Flea Markets in Spain
- 1. El Rastro, Madrid
- 2. Mercadillo del Jueves, Seville
- 3. Cuesta de Moyano, Madrid
- 4. Els Encants, Barcelona
- 5. Feria Del Juguete y Comics de Madrid, La Estacion (Colleccionismo) y Feria de Modelismo Ferroviario
- 6. Avenida de Felipe II Flea Market
- 7. Mercadillo De Coleccionismo Plaza Dos De Mayo, Madrid
- 8. Alcaiceria Market
- 9. Mercadillo de Almanjáyar
- 10. Mercadillo Filatélico, Seville
- 11. El Rastro Valencia, Valencia
- The 11 Best Flea Markets in Spain – Summary Table
- Spain Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Flea Markets in Spain
1. El Rastro, Madrid
El Rastro de Madrid — or simply el Rastro — is Madrid’s busiest and best-loved open-air flea market.
Open from 9 AM to 3 PM every Sunday and public holiday, it stretches all along Ribera de Curtidores and Plaza de Cascorro.
This astounding market includes as many as 700 stalls selling everything you can imagine, from one-of-a-kind antiques to decor, handmade art and jewelry, vintage clothing, old photos, war memorabilia, flamenco records, faux designer items, electronics, and much more.
The market is known far and wide throughout Europe and attracts as many as 100,000 visitors every single weekend.
2. Mercadillo del Jueves, Seville
Mercadillo del Jueves or Mercadillo de los Jueves is a massive open air rastro located in the center of Seville.
With well over 100 stalls, it is not only the oldest Seville flea market but also the best for great finds at fantastic prices.
It is easily the most colorful and exciting rastro in the area!
People from all over the world come to Mercadillo del Jueves to find paintings and photos, pottery, antique books, secondhand items, and other collectibles.
The market operates from 7 AM to 3 PM every Thursday.
3. Cuesta de Moyano, Madrid
Cuesta de Moyano is one of the best flea markets in Madrid.
It has operated its 30 wooden outdoor stalls lined up along Cuesta de Moyano since 1925.
Most notably, this flea market is a favorite for bibliophiles and book collectors, since it sports over 300,000 books.
These books range from topics of fiction to science, humanities, history, the arts, and much more.
Many are collectibles dating from the 19th century!
The market is nearby one of Madrid’s many public parks, the perfect place to enjoy your new books.
4. Els Encants, Barcelona
Els Encants, also called Los Encantes, is one of Barcelona’s most treasured rastros.
It is also one of Spain’s oldest, operating since the 14th century!
This massive open-air rastro is one of the most unique and fascinating flea markets in Spain, where you might find yourself searching through items for hours at a time.
Els Encants hosts antique auctions at 7 AM and again at noon.
Prices are lowered for the noon auction to offload unsold merchandise from the morning.
Most stalls wrap up after the second auction.
5. Feria Del Juguete y Comics de Madrid, La Estacion (Colleccionismo) y Feria de Modelismo Ferroviario
Located in Madrid, this flea market is unique because it is actually a museum!
El Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid is a railway museum that hosts La Feria del Juguete.
Held the first Sunday of every month (except August), 80 stalls sell toys of all kinds, from vintage toy cars to action figures, comics, and collectibles galore.
One of the main attractions is the collection of scale model railway engines and carriages.
These are displayed in the museum exhibits right next to their real-life counterparts.
It is an unmissable destination for collectors and tourists looking for unique gifts.
6. Avenida de Felipe II Flea Market
Located in the heart of Madrid’s Salamanca district, this outstanding rastro is set right between Acala and Goya streets.
First-time visitors to this market quickly discover why locals call it “Goya’s hippies.”
Wares here are focused on handmade, locally-sourced products.
Held all day Monday through Saturday, the flea market is a place to hunt for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, and handmade items such as ceramics and knitwear.
The rastro has a loyal customer base, so expect to fight a crowd while you’re there!
7. Mercadillo De Coleccionismo Plaza Dos De Mayo, Madrid
El Mercadillo de Coleccionismo Plaza Dos De Mayo is a flea market in Madrid held every Saturday.
In the heart of the Malasaña neighborhood, this event is actually made up of two flea markets side-by-side.
Each of these is a totally unique experience, and together they enhance one another immensely.
Tourists and locals alike go between the two to find great deals and item combos that are totally unique!
One market is the collectors and bargain market that stocks books, records, and valuables galore.
The younger DosdeMarket has tons of apparel and products made by local designers.
8. Alcaiceria Market
Located in Granada, La Alcaiceria is an old Moorish silk market that once dominated the richest markets in high-quality silk goods.
The name Alcaiceria means “Caesar’s house” and refers to Emperor Justinian’s permission for the Moors to make and sell silks within the Roman Empire.
Operating Monday through Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM, Alcaiceria hosts numerous small stores selling mainly Arabic craftwork.
These include ceramics, stained glass lamps, wooden furniture and decor, clothing, and souvenirs, all made by local workers from all over the world.
This market is probably the best bargain rastro in Granada.
9. Mercadillo de Almanjáyar
Mercadillo de Almanjáyar is famous as a bargain-rich rastro with an eclectic selection located on Calle Caseria Aguirre in the Rey Badis district.
Just north of Granada proper on Calle Alcaiceria, this rastro has at least 400 individual booths!
Here, you will find wares ranging from fresh food and produce to paintings, clothes and shoes, antique furniture, knick-knacks, electronics, and more.
The market operates Sundays from 9 AM to 3 PM, making it a popular Sunday lunch spot for locals and tourists alike.
10. Mercadillo Filatélico, Seville
Mercadillo Filatelico is a flea market in the historic center of Seville known for its incredible antique offerings.
Open from 8 AM to 3 PM every Sunday, Mercadillo Filatelico reaches peak business hours early when collectors arrive to exchange rare items at the best prices.
This rastro is full of energy and stocked with old stamps, coins, postcards, and collectibles of all kinds!
This rastro is unbeatable for coin and stamp collectors especially, with its rare offerings known around the world.
11. El Rastro Valencia, Valencia
Don’t get confused between El Rastro in Madrid and El Rastro in Valencia.
While the general feeling of this open-air market in Valencia might be happy chaos, all the vendors are licensed.
That means that you’re much more likely to find something worthwhile as you search through the unique items.
Nevertheless, El Rastro in Valencia is all about eclectic vintage goods, which means you never know what you are going to find.
With a dedicated search, you may run across one-of-a-kind toys, old records and electronics, vintage tools, and even antique art or pottery.
The 11 Best Flea Markets in Spain – Summary Table
| Flea Market | Address |
|---|---|
| 1. El Rastro, Madrid | Calle Ribera de los Curtidores, Lavapies, 28005, Madrid, Spain |
| 2. Mercadillo del Jueves, Seville | A-460, 4, 41220 Burguillos, Sevilla, Spain |
| 3. Cuesta de Moyano, Madrid | C. Claudio Moyano28014 Madrid, Spain |
| 4. Els Encants, Barcelona | Carrer de los Castillejos, 158, 08013 Barcelona, Spain |
| Feria Del Juguete y Comics de Madrid, La Estacion | Paseo de las Delicias, 61, 28045 Madrid, Spain |
| 6. Avenida de Felipe II Flea Market | Av. de Felipe II, 28009 Madrid, Spain |
| 7. Mercadillo De Coleccionismo Plaza Dos De Mayo, Madrid | Pl. del Dos de Mayo, 28004 Madrid, Spain |
| 8. Alcaiceria Market | C. Alcaiceria, 1, 3, 18001 Granada, Spain |
| 9. Mercadillo de Almanjáyar | 18013 Granada, Spain |
| 10. Mercadillo Filatélico, Seville | Pl. del Cabildo, 41001 Sevilla, Spain |
Spain Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Spain Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Biggest Flea Market in Spain?
Madrid’s El Rastro is the biggest open-flea market in Spain by far.
Covering several neighborhoods throughout the city, El Rastro includes at least 700 stalls (and some estimates put it in the thousands).
As many as 100,000 people visit it every week.
What is the Oldest Flea Market in Spain?
Els Encants or Los Encantes is arguably the oldest continual flea market in Spain.
It has been operating since the 14th century.
The oldest modern flea market is arguably El Rastro, which has operated since the 1960s.
What Are Flea Markets Called in Spain?
Spanish flea markets are usually called rastros or mercadillos.
Smaller markets are sometimes called rastrillos.
A rastro is usually held entirely or mostly in the open street or plaza with buyers setting up wares in individual stalls.
The word “rastro” means “trail,” referring to the meandering setup of these markets along street corners and roadways.
