Time-travelling in Munich: Antiques, vintage, second-hand & flea markets
Munich has more to offer than champagne, high heels and the English Garden. Munich can also do antiques, vintage, second-hand – and above all, flea markets. Rumor even has it that Munich is the most affordable place to shop for vintage! Read more about the best places to go in Munich here.
1. Second-hand shops in Munich – from vintage to retro
Alexa’s
Alexa’s colourful shop is full of retro fashion. She likes some of her pieces so much that she finds it difficult to part with them. Alexa believes that Munich is the best city to shop for vintage. Why? “Because Munich is a label city, but it’s not known for vintage!” You can find a Bogner ski outfit in a Versace look from the 1970s at Alexa’s from time to time, but you’ll have to look long and hard to find labels there. To Alexa, vintage has more to do with “a unique, handmade piece in beautiful, imaginative fabric without a label but from a small studio where they make clothing well, with love”. You’ll mainly find things from the 1960s-1980s in her shop.
Utzschneider Str. 10, 80469 Munich
www.alexas.de
2. Second-hand bookshops in Munich
Antiquariat Lugauer
“Some things don’t fit in any drawer and sometime the drawer is already full”. A visit to Antiquariat Lugauer is a real experience. For bookworms, book fans, browsers and penny pinchers alike, this bookshop probably seems like paradise. After an obligatory, two-minute introduction to the twists and turns of the shop – which is overflowing yet highly structured – it quickly becomes obvious that … this shop has EVERYTHING! From Dürrenmatt to Goethe, banned authors, romance novels for men (Westerns) or romance novels for women with a happy ending guaranteed, there are books for €1 and upwards. You can also exchange the books you’ve read for new ones – for a small fee.
Augsburgerstr. 2, 80337 Munich
www.antiquariat-lugauer.de
3. Second-hand shop for Antiques in Munich
#1 Sams&Son – Old Suitcases
The Grand Budapest Hotel won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Production Design, and we wouldn’t really be exaggerating if we claimed that some of the thanks go to Sams&Son. This is why a visit to Sams&Son, prop supplier and a magnet for nostalgia buffs, is a true time-travelling experience and a must for every visit to Munich. At least for travel fans, people with the travel bug and everyone who loves decorating and interior design. The owner of the shop in Munich’s Glockenbach district is full of anecdotes and has collected things from around the world. Each piece seems like it has a tale to tell: suitcases, trunks, gloves, maps, medicine balls, authentic industrial lamps, and so on and so forth. His collection of old Louis Vuitton suitcases – the kind that have explored the world with the likes of Churchill and Bismarck – is particularly fascinating. Immerse yourself in the world of Sams&Son.
Fraunhoferstr. 23, 80469 Munich
#2 Curiosities – Michael Weiss’ Sammelsurium
In Michael Weiss’ shop, you’ll find a fascinating hotchpotch of things. This true curiosity shop invites you to browse, be amazed and add to your collection. Located in the heart of Munich’s hip university district, it has become a neighbourhood fixture. Everyday, friends and locals come ’round to bring him some new old things. As you can imagine, sometimes even the shrewd and very nice Mr Weiss no longer knows exactly what is located in the far corners of his shop. But everyone is welcome to poke around and rearrange things. 🙂
Türkenstr. 82, 80799 Munich
#3 Antiquariat Rainer Köbelin – of maps and antique design
Mr Köbelin is the specialist for old maps. He established his shop in 1967 and has always been available for a chat on living with antiques, the ominous internet and the way society has changed to become a throwaway society. But if you don’t feel like talking, he will be happy to let you browse in peace. Girls who are looking for decoration come here and encounter men who fear that printed graphical design is a thing of the past. Mr Köbelin’s repertoire also includes postcards, old photos and the cute volumes from the Inselverlag publishing house.
Schellingstr. 99, 80798 Munich
4. Best Flea markets in Munich
#1 Gigantic flea market on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds
The gigantic flea market on the Theresienwiese fairgrounds is one of the city’s largest, must-go spectacles. On the third Sunday in April, the entire city turns out to criss-cross the meadow that is the venue for Oktoberfest and gather the first sunburn of the season, along with bargains galore! From 5.00 a.m. and even earlier, around 80,000 people are on the prowl for the best deals around. At this flea market, the chances of finding real treasure and solid bargains are excellent. You can find EVERYTHING here, even dirndls and the Munich residents’ second-hand clothing. To secure the best spot for selling, dealers from around Germany start camping out on the meadow up to two weeks before day of the flea market. Even Munich’s students camp out the night before to make sure they get the last spots. Important: Bring time and money with you. Regardless of what you are looking for, you’ll find it – or something else!
18 April 2015
On the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, behind the spring festival.
http://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/event/9878.html
#2 Courtyard flea market
In the summer, the residents of Munich love the courtyard flea markets in the city’s districts as much as they love the sun. Almost every weekend, a different district opens its gates. The view into the courtyards of the houses in Munich is just as interesting as the bargains themselves. All of the participating courtyards are marked with balloons on the day announced.
Haidhausen: 25 April
Dreimühlen/Schlachthofviertel: 9 May
Maxvorstadt: 23 May
Schwabing: 13 June
Glockenbach: 27 June
For additional districts and dates, see: www.hofflohmaerkte.de/muenchen/
#3 Night flea market
Munich also has an active night flea market culture. There is one almost every weekend. You don’t have to get up early to attend, and it’s always warm and dry. Students in particular buy and sell there. A variety of established providers organise night flea markets at various locations. All of them are open between around 5-11 p.m. and charge €3 admission. Here is a short list:
Tonhalle, by Nachtkonsum: with band and food. On the grounds of Kunstpark at Munich East Station. Easy to reach by the main commuter rail line. Cosy shopping atmosphere. You can often find old leather bags here.
Typically, once a month. Next dates: 11.04, 09.05 and 13.06
Tonhalle, Grafinger Strasse 6, 81671 Munich
http://www.nachtkonsum.com/muenchen#termine
Ladies’ flea market at Feierwerk, by Nachtkonsum: Munich’s top flea market for fashion. Inside and outside. For ladies only. Shopping fun guaranteed!
Next dates: 18.07 and 05.09
Feierwerk, Hansastraße 39-41, 81373 Munich
http://www.nachtkonsum.com/maedelsflohmarkt-muenchen
Fashion Session in MMA, by Midnightbazar: The special location here is an old factory building: MMA. In the basement/ground floor and on the first and second floors, you can shop for fashion in a casual atmosphere.
MMA, Katharina-von-Bora-Straße 8a, 80333 Munich
http://www.midnightbazar.de/muenchen/
All of these great vintage shops, second hand and flea markets are easy to reach from our central hotels in Munich!
