St. Augustine Car Boot Sale, LONDON

I used to think there are no flea markets around london, until i found out it was just silly ol’ me who didn’t know the local argo: they call it “car boot sale” here and there are plenty! I was lucky enough to visit St. Augustine on two different occations, a few years apart, and it was delightful.

The market is located at a the St. Augustine School, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Kilburn Park tube station.

Entry fee for early birds (if you want to have first picks and beat the crowds) - 5 pounds, and worth every penny. Relevant if you show up from 07:30 until 10:30.

The crowds start pouring in at 10:30 when the entry fee drops to 1 pound, and it gets very busy and crowded, not very pleasant for those like to browse slowly and leisurely, with their personal space intact (me).

There is also a small indoors area, and while youre in there, be sure not to miss the exit to the back lot, which has even more booths. There are a few excellent regular sellers there, including one guy (pictured below, in front of his white truck with blue numbering) who always has the most wonderful combination of vintage oddities and knick knacks. First time i was there he was selling an old collection of little sugar packets from all around the world with beautiful graphics!

Location on Google Maps

Open every saturday starting 07:30. More info on the official website. **NO TOILETS** 

There is a small cafe selling snacks and coffee, with a few small tables on which you can mingle with the locals and show off your scores. I had a great chat with two delightful elderly blokes called Louie and Ivan (a neurosurgeon back in his days!) who were very nice and told me great stories. If you see them, tell them Maya says hi. 

Please note that baby carriages (prams/strollers) are not permitted into the premises, so plan ahead if you’re bringing a baby or a toddler (although there are plenty of attractions for them inside! There are tons of kids’ toys and knick-knacks). I saw one poor dad get stuck outside trying to entertain two disgruntled children after not being let in (his wife was inside).

Tube Station: Kilburn Park

Date Last Visited: July 2023

Feira da Ladra, LISBON

The Lisbonese (?) flea market is one of the biggest and best i've been to. It is heaven. Portugal, in general, is not very expensive, compared to europe, and the flea market is no exception. Haggling was easy and the vendors were friendly and eager to sell. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

It's quite common for me to arrive at the flea market scene and think that the market is tiny and disappointing. only to walk a few meters ahead to reveal 4 additional huge blocks riddled with more and more vendors, each one more awesome than the next!

Lisbon is full of beautiful tile all over, and there is quite a handsome selection of them at the market:

You could easy find yourself paying 5 euros per can (if not 10) for these in a posh antique store in paris/london... here they are only 50 cents

some of my findings (look at those awesome cans!!) can't wait to go back

The Market's enterance is near the old brick gate. the small shaded park is just the beginning. circle the downhill park to find additional gems.

map

useful phrases
how much = quanto
too expensive = muito caro
thank you = obrigados


Visited July 2016

Porte de Montreuil, PARIS

In the extreme outskirts of paris lies a hidden gem: far away from all the cleanorific, noveau-riche pipe-smokin' folk of Clignancourt, and deep in the heart of immigrantland. This flea market requires patience and a keen eye for hidden beauty. The antique stalls are scattered throughout the northern part of the market, which in itself is more like a huge beast of cheap knick-knacks and home-depo-ware. In the beginning one might be tempted to think: "WTF, this is a total waste of time" - but fear not! keep walking northbound on the right-most aisle and sure enough, you'll start seeing those enamel pots and brass candlesticks shining their bright beacons of light and calling out your name.

In the beginning...

then you start seeing some good stuff here and there:

keep your eyes peeled! some of my most favorite finds EVER came from this part of the market. and for cheap, too! although quality varies and depends on how lucky you are. i've usually gone on mondays (it's the only weekly flea in Paris that's open on mondays too) and there might be better finds on sundays.

From here on out, it's 100% flea

The market is a short 5 minute walk from the metro station with the same name - and is located on the eastern side of the highway, just after the big traffic circle (you'll recognize it by the big 'Carrefour' sign on the tall building right next to it) - map
open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. don't bother showing up before 08:30am, as most of the sellers will have only started unpacking their stuff by then. There is a stall selling breakfast + coffee.

TIME SAVING TIP - if you're short on time, there is another entrance to the market which goes directly into the flea part, saving you the awkward long walk through knick-knack-ville. Just look for this bus stop on your map, and go in through the nearest entrance. (psst: there might be some interesting leftover piles around the tiny garden near the stop).

PRO TIP - in case you're on the lookout for copper pots (i found two of my fave pots in this market), bring a small magnet. if it holds itself against the pot (=becomes attracted to the metal), it's fake. Copper pots are also very heavy for their appearance.

useful phrases:
it's too expensive = c'est trop cher
how much is it? = ca fait combien?
will you accept 1 euro, maybe? = vous accpetez un euro, peut etre?
this is not real copper = c'est pas cuivre

BONUS
on my previous visit i found a huge and beautiful antique shop called 'Le Radeau Neptune'. It is located two metro stops after porte de montreuil, and is a 7 minute walk from the station. totally worth it. they have two stories' worth of beautiful china plates, servewere, cutlery and silverware. an amazing selection, and not too pricey. i've found it thanks to a comment by Sandy Price on David Lebovitz's blog (sandy also wrote an amazing book about flea markets in france, which i've used extensively). make sure you call ahead to ask about opening hours, as they can be quirky. Address: 32 boulevard Paul Vaillant Couturier. Metro: Mairie de Montreuil

Last visited: February, 2016

Porta Portese Flea Market, ROME

Very few stalls in the nearby Via Ippolito Nievo. Best to avoid, or save for last

All fake guns (i suspect a few air guns thrown in for a good measure)

Loved this one. Tons of USSR memorabilia, and i bought an uber-cool "camera. for spy"

fresh orange juice stall! this guy was awesome

fun fact
i talked one of the stall guys next to the orange juice place into selling me his personal giant old suitcase so i could use it to pack my stuff to take back home. best 8 euros i ever spent (and worst 8 he ever made probably). i still wonder what he did with all of his stuff at the end of the day. This is a great travel tip in general, BTW. don't ever check luggage if you can help it. Saves a huge delay when flying out. Flying back in, however, is quite a challenge without a giant suitcase to lug all 'yer flea gems :)

a few handy italian phrases:
flea market = mercato della pulci
too expensive = troppo caro
discount = sconto
how much = quanto costa

do not attempt to go through the actual Porta Portese gate, as you will have to talk for 20 minutes through many many hawker stands selling ripoff t-shirts and cheap new plastic knick-knacks. the real market location is in this square, although there are a few decent stalls scattered around the nearby Via Ippolito Nievo, surrounded by tons of the aforementioned hawker stands (very frustrating trying to fish them out)

Source + info: this and this

Visited September, 2015