The sobriquet referred to the condition of the merchandise, and denoted that you should expect parasites (fleas - puces) inside the antique pieces of furniture. But since the Gauls also use "flea" as a diminutive, the expression has a gentle side and can be interpreted as a market full of lovely little things. In our latest compilation, we introduce 11 Budapestian flea markets.

There are some people who get creeped out when hearing the word 'used' and would never wear secondhand clothes or, say, hang a hundred-year-old mirror next to their wardrobe. But these people are dead wrong, for we all know that flea markets are havens of secondhand treasures and renewable goodies perfectly fitted for chic eclectic interiors. Let's go haggling!

The classics: Ecseri  - 1194, Budapest, Nagykőrösi út 156.

The queen of flea markets where even the Holy Grail is for sale. Ever since ruin pubs came about, even a cross-eyed rubber Donald Duck represents high aesthetic values, not to mention a several-decade-old gramophone. But try not to be blinded by all the grotesque treasures, since it's of high importance to keep your eyes peeled on account of some vendors sneakily overpricing the stuff they sell . Ecseri is open every day, though true fanatics arrive before the 6 o'clock opening on Saturday.

PeCsa Flea Market

Heaps of antiquities, porcelains, coins, old posters, magazines - the selection is so wide that we could even find a pair of limited edition Converse shoes or Cupcake Dolls. PeCsa Flea Market specializes in toys - you can buy Lego by the pound, and some vendors sell books that would make antique shops green with envy. It is worth to drop by in the last hours of the market as well, since some sellers become more permissive as closing time approaches.

Address: 1146 Budapest, Zichy Mihály Street 14. (Városliget)
Opening hours: Saturday-Sunday, 08:00-14:00

Bakancsos Street Market

This is a place where your luck counts the most; there aren't must-have items at every vendor. Most of the rugged businessmen and -women offer worthless stuff 'better suited for trash bins, but sometimes you might stumple upon a gorgeous typewriter from 1940s or a (probably) functioning beer tap. Haggling skills required!

Address: 1173 Budapest, Széncinke Street
Opening hours: Friday-Sunday, 06:00-13:00

Újpesti Piac-Placc

Casual vendors lined up along the Danube Promenade sell paintings, various pieces of furniture, lamps, carpets, and home decorating items when the Sun is shining and the weather is sweet. Piac-Placc kicks off in the spring and shuts down when it gets cold. Small, but worth exploring.

Address: 1042 Budapest, Duna Walkway
Opening hours: Saturday, 06:00-14:00

Shelved flea shops: Bolhapalota



Address: 1053, Budapest, Irányi utca 20.

In Bolhapalota, close to the renovated Ferenciek Square, vintage and secondhand goods are sold from shelves. The unique Coca Cola bottle designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and the Karády Katalin vinyl coexist well here, as well as the foal leather bottle and handmade items courtesy of the creative youth of Hungary. Organized chaos reigns over the realm of shelves and display cases. Anyone can rent a shelf in hope of some profit - some things might be junk to you, but treasures to someone else.

Garmada Self-Service Flea Market



Garmada also sports a shelf system, and is not only the perfect place for exploring and satisfying your secondhand crave, but it also offers a prime opportunity to get rid of your unused stuff and make a profit. As for the selection, it consists of various pieces of antique furniture , coins, medals, but we have also come across a brand new hair straightener, a funny "stripping" pen, and fancy soda bottles.

Address: 1135 Budapest, Hun Street 4/b
Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11:00-19:00; Saturday, 09:00-13:00

Tabáni Flea Market

The shelves of Döbrentei Street's flea shop are packed with trinkets and the usual junkyard treasures.Tabáni is at least as active on Facebook as a teenage girl, though contrary to the latter entity, Tabáni is very much worth following - especially if you're into vintage suitcases .

Address: 1013 Budapest, Döbrentei Street 10.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-18:00; Saturday-Sunday, 08:00-18:00

Bazár Bizi

Bazár Bizi welcomes everyone who's looking to pass on their no-longer-needed items or search through others' stuff. There are lace tablecloths, cuckoo clocks, vinyl records, and tons of vintage jewelery. They also purchase bequests and help the memories live on.

Address: 1072 Budapest, Dob Street 56.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-18:00; Saturday, 09:00-15:00

Retro, antique shops: Antik Bazaar, Bazáruház, Grand Bazaarr (El rapido cellar)

At Antik Bazaar, rices are fixed and the stock is ever-expanding. The same goes for Bazáruház in the 9th district. It is a real time travel, especially for those who know that useless junk and antique treasures are very similar. Grand Bazaar, housed in El Rapido Taqueira's cellar, is also worth mentioning, mainly because it's a place where absolutely everything is for sale.

Antik Bazaar
Address: 1071 Budapest, Klauzál Street 1.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 14:00-18:00
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Bazáruház
Address: 1096 Budapest, Mester Street 37.
Opening hours: by appointment (06 20 354 0499)

Grand Bazaar
Address: 1075 Budapest, Kazinczy Street 10.
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:30-03:00; Friday, 10:30-04:00; Saturday, 12:00-04:00; Sunday, 13:00-02:00

Published on XpatLoop.com with the permission of  We Love Budapest