Things used to last longer. More than a grandparents’ phrase, it is an absolute truth. For example, the antique flea markets, places where in addition to traveling back in time, one finds treasures that beyond provoking nostalgia, help to give a second, third or even fourth life to objects full of history that are in perfect condition and are still functional. Whether it’s for browsing or shopping, these are the five bazaars you must visit.
1. La Lagunilla
The antique flea market par excellence in the CMDX. Here you can easily spend the whole day seeing everything there is. The most requested items by visitors are furniture and clothing, in addition to some decorative items and jewelry. The ideal is to visit it before noon, to be able to visit it calmly. Although demand has driven prices up a bit, you can be sure that sellers know what they have, plus there is always room to negotiate. In addition, you can find other stalls with more products, from fruits and vegetables to clothing, shoes, urban designer t-shirts, hairdressing and manicure. Don’t even worry about hunger and thirst: between its antojitos and micheladas, the visit will be more enjoyable. Here are some tips to visit this market like a pro.
📍Calles de Bocanegra, Comonfort, Allende y Matamoros, Lagunilla / Every Sunday
2. El Salado
At the exit of the Acatitla subway, every Wednesday for more than 50 years, vintage treasure hunters have been arriving at dawn to start a kilometer-long tour. El Salado is known not only for its variety, but also for its affordable prices. Looking for an appliance replacement? A used toolbox at a good price? A water tank? Here you can find them. Furniture and decorative items are one of the things that fly, so we recommend arriving as early as 8:00 or 9:00 am. Wear comfortable shoes, though, because you will be spending many hours here.
📍Sentimiento de la Nación 615, Ermita Zaragoza / Every Wednesday
3. Tianguis of Cuauhtémoc
On Saturdays, Dr. Ignacio Chávez Park becomes a time machine thanks to its antique bazaar. Although not particularly large (the stalls extend only around the park), don’t let this put you off. The selection of objects is meticulous and almost resembles a museum curatorship, which makes the visit less tiring. In addition to furniture and decorative objects such as clocks, vases and mirrors, you’ll find toys, tableware, jewelry boxes and hopefully even a vintage wedding dress. Prices in some cases can be negotiated and you can walk away with a bargain.
📍Av. Cuauhtémoc S/N, Col. Doctores, 06720 Cuauhtémoc, CDMX / Saturdays and Sundays
4. San Felipe
Touring this tianguis in its entirety would take you more than a day. What started with 17 tool vendors is now the largest street market in Latin America. Nearly 30,000 stalls are set up every Sunday to sell whatever you can think of, from any era and nationality. Here you can shop your pantry, eat and leave with a vintage closet in one day.
📍Av. Villa de Ayala, San Felipe de Jesús, Gustavo A. Madero / Every Sunday
5. Portals
The wonder of this tianguis is that you don’t have to wait for a particular day to visit it. Here you can come at any time of the week and find fascinating objects such as toys, crockery, porcelain, Reloj, vinyls, in short, the mere chachareo. It is not a very extensive tianguis and it is rare to find furniture, but most of the objects are in very good condition and at reasonable prices.
📍 Calle Rumania 1331-1349, San Simón, Benito Juárez / Every day