The Biggest and Best Flea Market in Malta
I've lived in Malta for 8 years and only just discovered that this little island is home to a hoard of open air food markets and retro/vintage flea markets. They're not really widely advertised and the kind of thing you have to just hear about or stumble across so I wanted to let you all in on the islands best kept secret: Birgu flea market in Malta!
What to Expect at Birgu Flea Market in Malta
Despite the lack of actual car-boots, this is what I'd call a car-boot sale back in England. A small carpark type area is stuffed full of stalls with people selling everything from tools, to car parts, to house plants, to vintage cups, glasses and brass-wear. There are clothes, questionable used old makeup and more characters packed into one small space than I've ever seen before.
Birgu Flea Market Opening Hours
The flea market in Birgu, Malta is open on Tuesdays and Sundays. I've not yet made it down on a Tuesday due to work but if you're here on vacation, I'd recommend giving Tuesday a go as it's likely to be quieter than Sunday. But Sunday is amazing for people watching. We've seen people dressed like 14th century noblemen, women in full on Saturday night club gear, complete with stilettos, people pushing their dogs along in a pushchair, hippies, goths and just about everything you can imagine in-between.
The people are fascinating. The way they hunt and barter. The way they'll shove you out of the way, as if you're invisible, despite there being plenty of room to walk around. The way they'll scream and shout at the vendors, but eventually close the sale. Then, the items for sale are even more enthralling. We mainly head towards old school cups, mugs, glasses, bottles and trays (desperately looking for vintage 'Kinnie' memorabilia) but you'll find 4 foot high dog statues, chairs that you'll remember from your own grandparents houses, creepy dolls, even creepier mannequins.
The place is fun, freaky and full of hidden treasures if you give yourself the time to really look around and dig amongst the piles of abandoned junk. Whenever I walk around it reminds me strongly of my childhood as so much of the style is the kind of thing we had in our house and my grandparents houses when I was growing up. It's a feeling of nostalgia that brings a smile to my face every time I go.