You can visit the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Museum Island, but to find the heart of Berlin, you must stroll through its flea markets. Mingling with Berliners, soaking up the atmosphere, and searching for ancient treasures at a Flohmarkt makes for a laid-back Sunday morning in Berlin.
This is where to find the best flea markets in Berlin. And remember, in this nocturnal Mecca, you don’t need to come early to get the best treasures.
Mauerpark flea market
It is not a flea market, it is an event. Tens of thousands of locals (and now more tourists) descend on this sprawling flea market on the outskirts of Mauerpark every Sunday, not far from where the Berlin Wall once stood.
Berliners sell vintage clothing, books, toys, furniture and household items, right next to local designers offering hand-printed Berlin TV Tower T-shirts and jewelry. You’ll find music, food stalls, street performers – it’s chaotic, it’s crowded, it’s fun.
Headlining this trendy event is Bearpit karaoke most Sundays in the summer. Who doesn’t want to show themselves in front of thousands of strangers in a gladiator popularity contest?
If you need a quiet moment after all that hustle, visit the Berlin Wall memorial site at the end of the street, with its magnificent Documentation Center (Bernauer Strasse).
- When : Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
- Where : Bernauer Straße 63-64, 13355 Berlin
Boxhagener Platz flea market
A ramshackle gem of a flea market around a small park in Friedrichshain affectionately nicknamed Boxi. You can find great treasures here, be it a nostalgic tea set, a leather bag from the GDR, or a unique watch.
For a dessert after the flea market, take a look at the surrounding streets, where you will find many ethnic cafes and restaurants.
- When : Sundays, 10:00 – 18:00
- Where : Gärtnerstraße 25 10245, Berlin
Turkish market
Several times a week this charming section along the canal turns into a bustling produce and food market. Originally a gathering of the city’s Turkish residents with staples like cheese, spreads, fast foods, and fabrics, it has proven so popular that the entire city now has it on their must-see list.
Add vintage posters and unique jewelry to your aesthetic and fresh fruits and spices to your life. The center aisle can be quite crowded, but there is plenty of room to squat down and enjoy the free-form musicians at the end.
In winter, there is also a special Christmas market.
- When : lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00 to 18:30; Products the first and third Sunday of summer; 10:00 – 18:00
- Where : Maybachufer, 10999 Berlin
Flea market Strasse des 17. Juni
One of the oldest flea markets in Berlin, this is also one of the most popular markets and is mentioned in most of the Berlin guides, it’s no wonder prices here are higher than anywhere else. But the items are also some of the most beautiful.
The market along Strasse des 17. Juni specializes in antiques, arts and crafts. Visitors love the selection of high-quality furniture, paintings, jewelry, and porcelain, but they can also find books, vinyls, clothing, and shoes.
Plus, you can squeeze in some sightseeing. Berlin’s Tiergarten, the largest park in the city, is just around the corner, and the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Columns are at the end of the street. Hungry after shopping? Try Tiergarten Quelle for great German dishes at an incredible price.
- When : Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
- Where : Straße des 17. Juni, 10623 Berlin.
Arkonaplatz flea market
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, this neighborhood flea market is a pleasure to wander around. Nestled under the trees on the cobbled Arkonaplatz, this flea market is a bit more exclusive and there is always something to buy. If you love vintage designer items from the 60s and 70s, you are in bargain heaven.
In addition, there are many charming cafes and breakfast places around the corner, as well as a generous playground.
- When : Sunday, 10:00 – 16:00
- Where : Arkonaplatz 10435 Berlin
Indoor flea market at the arena
This indoor market takes place in a large warehouse and, at first glance, there seems to be a lot of garbage. Mountains of remotes, piles of old tires, chandeliers covering every inch of the ceiling. But if you have a little time and patience, you can get real treasures at absolute bargain prices. And if it rains on market day, this is your place.
For a nice walk afterwards, head to the River Spree, and if you walk east you can discover the extraordinary Soviet War Memorial, a monument with gigantic dimensions.
- When : Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 – 18:00
- Where : Eichenstrasse 4, 12435 Berlin
