A spot of vintage shopping is a must to make your city break perfect. Whether you’re looking for preloved gems or just want to meander around the stalls, these second-hand markets in Cologne are sure to please.
Jumble sale trails
Second-hand skates, unused waffle makers or designer trousers that don’t fit any more – the idea behind jumble sale trails is as simple as it is brilliant. Neighbours organise a sale in their gardens or yards and sell preloved items that are too good to throw away. With whole districts taking part, visitors get to see the neighbourhoods from a completely different perspective with the chance to pick up rare gems along the way.
Upcoming dates
The next trail will be in the neighbourhood of Nippes on 27 April 2024. For all other dates, take a look at the Hofflohmärkte Köln website.
Kleiderei’s clothes-swap party
We’ve all been there – your wardrobe’s overflowing but somehow you still haven’t got anything to wear? Then you need “SWAP IT!” Run by Kleiderei, this clothes-swapping event is your chance to say goodbye to old outfits and hello to great new looks. Designed as a way of combatting fast fashion consumption, SWAP IT! takes place several times a year.
Kleiderei Köln, Venloer Str. 459, 50825 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The next SWAP IT! event will be from 11am to 6pm on 28 April 2024 at Ruffactory at Venloer Straße 474 in Cologne’s Ehrenfeld district. There’ll also be screen printing, a repair stall, upcycling, information stalls and food and drinks. Click here for more Kleiderei events. Tickets (4 euros) via Eventbrite.
Cologne Racecourse flea market
Visitors don’t just come to the racecourse in the north of Cologne to place bets – there’s a second-hand market held there regularly too. It takes place in the car park in front of the racecourse from 8am every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and, once a month, from 11am on Sunday. You’ll find all sorts on offer here. It’s not uncommon to spot a lovely art nouveau vase, an art deco coffee table or an industrial-style desk lamp glinting out from among the bric-a-brac. Make sure you haven’t got any other plans though – it’s a big market and you can spend hours perusing the stalls.
Cologne Racecourse flea market, Scheibenstraße 40, 50737 Cologne
Upcoming dates
From 1 March, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8am and one Sunday a month from 11am
Alte Feuerwache flea market
The setting alone is reason enough to visit the second-hand market at Alte Feuerwache in the Agnesviertel district. The courtyard is currently undergoing a major refurbishment but the market will be back in business at the end of 2024!
Alte Feuerwache, Melchiorstraße 3, 50670 Cologne
Bric-a-brac, book and collectors’ market in Riehl
If you love books, make sure you take a trip to Cologne’s Riehl neighbourhood. Held several times per year, this second-hand market on Riehler Gürtel, right next to Cologne Zoo, attracts more than 150 vendors of books, stamps and other collector items. With its backdrop of a pretty, tree-lined avenue, the whole thing has something of the charm of the famous Paris bouquiniste book-sellers along the banks of the Seine.
Bric-a-brac, book and collectors’ market, between Amsterdamer Straße and Stammheimer Straße (side entrance to Cologne Zoo), 50735 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The bric-a-brac, book and collectors’ markets are always held on Sundays. The next ones are on 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 13 October and 10 November.
Bazar de Nuit second-hand market
Bazar de Nuit at Odonien takes the flea market concept and turns it into a proper night out. Normally, you have to get out of bed early to snap up the good deals but here vintage fans can take an evening stroll around the market . With drinks available too, meandering through the colourful labyrinth of stalls is even more fun.
Bazar de Nuit at Odonien, Hornstraße 85, 50823 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The next Bazar de Nuit dates in 2024 are 16 June (3-10pm), 4 August (3-10pm) and 22 September (2-10pm) – all at Odonien.
Girls’ second-hand market
Not into clothes off the peg? Then the girls’ second-hand market in Cologne is the perfect place for you! Fashion enthusiasts gather regularly at these “by girls, for girls” events in the city’s Kalk and Ehrenfeld neighbourhoods to rummage through the stalls in search of cool vintage pieces, brand-name clothing, designer wear and hand-made items. There’s an admission charge of 4 euros and then it’s off to find a garment or two to add to your wardrobe!
Girls’ second-hand market at Pattenhalle, Christianstraße 82, 50825 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The next girls’ second-hand markets will take place from 11am to 5pm on 5 May and 16 June 2024.
Nachtkonsum nighttime flea market
Cologne’s Nachtkonsum flea market is a coming-together of first-rate culture and second-hand goods. This nighttime event runs from 5 to 10.45pm and features live music and delicious drinks as well as preloved bargains. The concept has proved popular and it can get quite loud and crowded later on at night. The hippest of all of Cologne’s second-hand markets, Nachtkonsum takes place once to twice per month and is perfect for late risers and night owls.
Nachtkonsum at Pattenhalle, Christianstraße 82, 50825 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The next Nachtkonsum markets will be on 1 June and 29 June.
Wilhelmplatz flea market
The bric-a-brac and collectors’ market on Wilhelmplatz square in the neighbourhood of Nippes is great for late risers too. Whilst most second-hand markets open early in the morning, this one doesn’t start until 11am. More than 150 vendors sell household items like crockery, lamps, pictures and small items of furniture. But you can also pick up vintage clothing, toys and the odd rare record here too.
Flohmarkt am Wilhelmplatz, 50733 Cologne
Upcoming dates
The next dates in 2024 are on 26 May, 23 June, 21 July, 18 August, 15 September, 20 October and 1 December (always on a Sunday).
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