ELS ENCANTS VELLS MARKET – FIRA DE BELLCAIRE
Posted by: s.rossi in Hostel in Barcelona, Hostel, gadgets, Flea Market, Els Encants, Cheap tips, Barcelona, Accommodation on
Oct 17, 2008
Els Encants Vells or Fira de Bellcaire is one of the oldest flea markets in Europe. It seems it began working in the XIV century and it was created by the fusion of two different markets. This is why it has a double name.
During the years it changed its location several times but since 1928 it is in Plaça de les Glories, just two blocks away from the Barcelona Urbany Hostel. In those years this area was outside of town. Lately the City Council suggested moving it again, but for the moment they haven’t found a new location for it.
Nowadays the market occupies about 15000 m2 and there are about 500 sellers. It seems that 50 thousand persons visit it every week, between locals and tourists.
Here you can find a bit of everything: old furniture, books, records, clothes, DVDs new or old tools, antiques, electronic items, shoes, etc. The secret is coming here with a lot of time to walk around, searching among all the stuff sold and being ready to bargain. This is something it has completely been forgotten in the rest of the city, but here it is kind of obligatory to get a good deal.
If you are in the mood for an early morning, it is also recommendable to assist to the auction in which sellers get their lot to sell during the whole day. It takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 am. The lots come from flat clearances and you can find any sort of thing in them. By the end of the day, if they haven’t sold everything they keep it for the next day or sometimes they just leave things on the ground so that anybody can take them if they like them.
Don’t miss this spot of past and present in Barcelona, which is probably going to disappear one day.
Remember:
-Make sure to have a lot of time to walk around
-Be ready to bargain to get a good deal
-Be careful with your bag, especially when it gets busy
Information:
Address: Plaça de les Glories, 8
Transport: Metro – L1, stop Glories
Tram – T4, T5, stop Glories
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9-18hrs
Web: http://www.encantsbcn.com
