10 Best Flea Markets in Switzerland

Updated On October 8, 2023
Switzerland

Flea markets are a great way to get a bargain on some unique and one-of-a-kind goods for your home.

These markets are located all over the world and often offer second-hand clothes, books, home decor, furniture, and more that can be added to your wardrobe and home.

Flea markets also often offer trinkets and collectibles that are popular for collectors to buy.

Bartering and bargaining are encouraged at these flea markets, so you can get a great deal on your purchases. 

The country of Switzerland in Europe is a beautiful place that is well known for its beautiful scenery, and even more, its eclectic culture and historical artifacts.

One of the best ways to find some of these amazing and unique artifacts to take home as souvenirs is to shop at the local flea markets.

There are many flea markets in Switzerland, but we will cover the ten best ones in this article. 

The Ten Best Flea Markets in Switzerland

1. Barfüsserplatz Flohmarkt

Barfüsserplatz Flohmarkt is a flea market that is outdoors and is located in the small town of Basel.

Basel is well known for its medieval history and is even still referred to as a medieval town today.

Shoppers of Barfüsserplatz Flohmarkt can guarantee to find a unique and antique collectible or trinket to take home with you as a souvenir from your Switzerland trip.

Barfüsserplatz Flohmarkt takes place twice a month in the outdoor area surrounding the medieval town center of Basel. It is a very festive market with beautiful scenery all around.

A walk through the city of Basel is charming in and of itself, but it is even more amazing when the many booths and vendors are all set up.

Items that you can find here include old books, historical trinkets, clothing, and much more. 

2. Flohmarkt Petersplatz

Also located in the city of Basel is another flea market, Flohmarkt Petersplatz.

 Flohmarkt Petersplatz is only a few blocks from the riverfront and takes place each week in Basel.

Many shoppers come early to the flea market for the early morning finds and the bargains that you can find.

Many people say that the earlier you come to the market, the better the deals that you find are.

After an early morning flea market run, these shoppers enjoy a stroll along the river.

Items that you can find at Flohmarkt Petersplatz include both antique items, such as vintage silverware and furniture, and flea markets items, like souvenir items, handbags, clothing, and more. 

3. Kanzlei Flohmarkt

Located in Zurich, Kanzlei Flohmarkt is a very large market that houses around 400 vendors.

It takes place each and every week and has a reputation as Switzerland’s best and largest flea market.

Second-hand shoppers from all over the world come to this weekly market all year round to find good deals and unique finds.

Dedicated second-hand shoppers have even had a reputation for camping out overnight each week so they can be the first ones to shop in the morning.

They say the early bird gets the best selection and the best bargains. 

Kanzlei Flohmarkt is located in the center of Zurich and is close to a local playground.

Families often make a morning out of the market and the playground together.

The diversity of this market is what makes it wildly popular.

There are professional vendors and new vendors, and they sell everything from vintage jewelry to furniture to clothing, and much more.

4. Puces de Nyon & Brocante de Rive

Right on the shore of Lake Genea, Puces de Nyon & Brocante de Rive has about 200 vendors.

Thousands of shoppers come to shop second-hand in this market that is offered once a month.

The vendors of this market will try to get there as early as possible so they can score one of the booths that are closest to the shore.

The booths closest to the shore usually get the most action, and they can sell much more there.

The location of this market cannot be beaten.

On a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc in the distance over the lake.

At this market, historical artifacts can also be found if you are looking carefully for them.

In addition to this flea market, the Brocante de Rive is a two-day antique show that is held once a year in this area and attracts shoppers from all around the world. 

5. Bürkliplatz Flohmarkt

Located in Zurich is the Bürkliplatz Flohmarkt.

This market is not as large as the largest market, Kanzlei Flohmarkt, but it is some shoppers’ favorite flea market in all of Switzerland.

This market only takes place once a week in the summer and early fall, so it is not year-round.

This flea market is located on one of the most prestigious and fancy shopping streets in Zurich: Bahnhofstrasse.

Because of this, many of the flea market items that are sold at Bürkliplatz Flohmarkt are higher-end and fancier in nature.

This market has an abundance of furniture, brassware, glassware, ceramics, and much more. 

6. Plainpalais Flea Market

Plainpalais Flea Market is located in the Swiss city of Geneva.

This market is located in the Plaine de Plainpalais, which is an open area of about 78,000 square meters.

Its large area hosts a lot of large events, like fairs, circuses, and more.

Once a week, the space is dedicated to second-hand shoppers that are looking for some great purchases.

Plainpalais Flea Market is the largest market in Geneva.

This flea market sells common and cheap household goods as well as your typical antique items, such as furniture, artwork, books, clothing, and more. 

7. Fête de la Brocante Le Landeron

The Fête de la Brocante Le Landeron is a flea market festival that only happens once a year.

During the last weekend of September, the little town of Le Landeron becomes Switzerland’s largest antique and flea market fair.

Because it is only a one-time event each year, it attracts many people from all over the world that will come and see all that it has to offer.

The historic village of Le Landeron is the perfect backdrop for this antique fair, and it creates the feeling that you have stepped back in time.

Household items, knick-knacks, and so much more are found here for sale. 

8. Brocante de Lutry

On the banks of the Lac Leman, the Brocante de Lutry is an antique fair that also attracts visitors from all over the world.

Lutry is located in an area of Switzerland that looks like it came right out of the movies, and it looks like a summer holiday town.

The beautiful scenery is a great backdrop for this market that happens once a year.

Sixty-five vendors come from all over to sell their second-hand wares at this yearly flea market.

The mild temperatures make it a pleasant destination, and you can find arts and crafts, handmade goods, household items, antiques, and so much more to take home with you. 

9. Fribourg Flea Market

The Fribourg Flea Market is held once a month on the first Saturday in the warmer months of the year.

From April to November, the town center of Fribourg.

It’s held in the town square and has a large variety of items for sale.

Second-hand treasures such as ceramics, glassware, and furniture are found here.

In addition, you can also buy household items, clothing, books, and more.

It is found in the Petit-St-Jean square.

Thirty to fifty vendors come each month to sell their goods.

10. Gallusplatz Flea Market, St. Gallen

The Gallusplatz Flea Market is located in St. Gallen.

Eighty stalls and vendors are packed out with great second-hand goods for you to buy and take home with you as souvenirs.

St. Gallen has a beautiful town square where this market is set up every Friday from April until November.

Many flea markets in these regions prefer to operate only during the warmer months of the year.

Here you can find artwork, jewelry, furniture, and so much more. 

The 10 Best Flea Markets in Switzerland – Summary Table

Flea MarketAddress
1. Barfüsserplatz FlohmarktMarktplatz 30a
4001 Basel
2. Flohmarkt PetersplatzPetersplatz, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
3. Kanzlei FlohmarktKanzleistrasse 56, 8004 Zurich, Switzerland
4. Puces de Nyon & Brocante de RiveRue de Rive; 1260 Nyon - CH.
5. Bürkliplatz FlohmarktBürklipl. 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
6. Plainpalais Flea MarketMarché aux puces de Plainpalais - 1205 Genève
7. Fête de la Brocante Le Landeron Ville, 2525 Le Landeron, Switzerland
8. Brocante de Lutry
9. Fribourg Flea MarketOn the Petit-St-Jean square in the Old Town of Fribourg
10. Gallusplatz Flea Market, St. GallenGallusstrasse 32, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many flea markets are there in Switzerland?

There are about fifteen flea markets in Switzerland that are scattered across the whole country.

Which cities in Switzerland have the most flea markets?

Flea markets are most commonly found in the cities of Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland.

What is the most popular flea market in Switzerland?

Kanzlei Flohmarkt is the most popular flea market in Switzerland.

Located in Zurich, it is the largest market and has about 400 vendors each week, rain or shine.

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