The 10 Best Cities to Shop for Vintage and Antique Items, According to Experts
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Ask any design aficionado, and we'll confess: Our travel itineraries aren't shaped by dining or shows—we're all about the antiquing. In fact, we're picking our destinations with the shopping scene at the forefront. Can you really blame us? With the vintage and antiques market booming (and en vogue), it's the treasure hunt that has us packing our bags.
Venture into any bustling city across the globe, and odds are you'll stumble upon a vintage store tucked away in some charming corner. But why stop at quaint when you could immerse yourself in an antique lover's dream? We spoke with leading collectors, dealers, and designers to create the ultimate city guide for antique and vintage shopping. Pack your bags—the antiquing adventure of a lifetime awaits.
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Belgium
Antwerp
Belgium's capital of cool, Antwerp, has a way of charming design aficionados. You'll find gothic and Renaissance landmarks intertwining with space-age modern structures, playing host to cutting-edge art galleries, award-winning eateries, and, naturally, treasure-filled antique warehouses. Bradley Odom, designer and proprietor of Dixon Rye, calls Antwerp one of his top shopping destinations globally. He says, "The moment I stepped foot in Antwerp, I felt deeply connected to the city and the people."
Nestled in the heart of the medieval city, Kloosterstraat stretches over a mile long with eclectic antique stores overflowing with furnishings to suit any budget and taste. As you meander along, you'll also encounter a scattering of shops offering contemporary furniture and fashion finds.
Odom also recommends that serious collectors should get to the know the city and connect with the locals. The designer says, "After a few years of visiting and making connections, I was able to take guided tours through some of the warehouses outside of the city."
Places to go: Adin Antique Jewelry, Gran Market 13, and Kloosterstraat.
England
London
London consistently captivates design enthusiasts with its unparalleled shopping experiences and a rich architectural and cultural history. Designer Sarah Peake sees it as a global antiques mecca because it offers something for every taste and budget, catering to a diverse range of collectors. Peake says, "From the dazzling glamour of the Pimlico Road to the dusty emporiums of Kensington Church Street, London has something for everyone."
Everyone should explore London's famous Portobello Road Market in the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill as its an absolute design delight (get there early to avoid crowds). Dealers set up shop on both sides of the thoroughfare, showcasing an array of antique and vintage treasures. Meanwhile, Peake adores discovering the various streets and markets throughout the city, seeking out independent dealers nestled within the city's bustle.
Peake says,"I can easily lose hours pottering up and down the Lillie Road, in Alfies Antiques Market or and same favorite shops on Langton Street, and the quarterly decorative fair in Battersea Park is a real highlight!"
Places to go: Dagmar’s, Mcwhirter Antiques and Sunbury Antiques Market.
France
Arles
France's affinity for antiques is renowned, and the Provençal city of Arles is a great starting point for any treasure hunter. The subject of Van Gogh's most celebrated paintings, Arles remains a magnetic draw for art enthusiasts and collectors globally. Susan Hofherr, proprietor of Authentic Provence, can attest to the city's allure and its vibrant legacy that captivates visitors to this day.
Hofherr says, "I love this city of Arles because it is still more authentic than the typical picturesque Provencal villages. I love the very large Saturday market where you can buy anything and everything from delicacies, fruits and vegetables, household goods, the Santons de Provence, pottery and much more.
Places to go: Antiquités et Brocante Maurin, Galerie Origine and Cadet Rousselle Antiquités.
L'Isle Sur La Sorgue
Merely an hour's drive north from Arles, you'll stumble upon another paradise with endless shops and bustling weekly flea markets. The scenic town of L'Isle Sur La Sorgue, previously recognized for its fishing trade, has gained attention for its extensive assortment of antiques and knowledgeable dealers.
Odom says, "Easily my favorite stop during my sourcing trips throughout the south of France, L'Isle Sur La Sorgue is truly a collector and antique aficionado's dream,"
Instead of just hitting up specific stores, Odom advises taking the time to wander through the various markets and warehouses scattered around the area to unearth truly unique finds. Odom adds,"The vendors are all characters—it's well worth it to linger and get to know them."
Places to go: Carré des Art du Luberon and Le Village des Antiquaires de la Gare.
Lyon
Lyon is known as the birthplace of cinema and a historical leader in the silk industry, weaving the arts and design into the very fabric of the city. Today, it overflows with vintage and antique shops that echo the city's profound Gallic and French heritage.
Susannah Cameron, the founder of Chez Pluie, notes she's discovered countless heirlooms —from her favorite paintings and books to pieces of furniture and even culinary antiques—at Lyon's celebrated flea market, Les Puces du Canal. Merchants exhibit their collections both indoors and in the expansive outdoor carpark for a plein-air shopping experience.
"You will find a huge range of affordable vintage and antique homewares, especially if you are early (it opens at 7 a.m.)," says Cameron. "Don’t be surprised to see other shoppers busy looking even before the sun comes up in the winter months!"
Places to go: Les Puces du Canal and Villeurbanne.
Paris
Paris, a beloved design capital for creatives across the world, boasts one of the ultimate havens for antique enthusiasts: the Paris Flea Market. The largest antique market on the planet houses an eclectic array of treasures—from Impressionist paintings to quaint vintage knife rests—so it's unlikely you'll leave without something in hand.
A trip to the Paris flea market is a must for any antique lover, but Cameron does caution collectors that the market's location on the outskirts of the city along with its limited operating hours can pose a challenge. However, Paris is dotted with a plethora of other markets and shops to satisfy your antiquing appetite. Cameron's personal favorite is Le Carré Rive Gauche, which houses 70 high-end antique dealers with the quarters stretching from Quai Voltaire to Rue de l’Université and Rue du Bac to Rue des Saints-Pères in the 7th arrondissement.
"You will find everything from classic gilded furnishings, majestic crystal chandeliers, fine art and sculpture, to tableware and jewelry," says Cameron "It is never crowded, the boutiques are overwhelmingly beautiful, and the dealers knowledgeable and discreet. The best part: It’s an all-weather affair with air conditioning, a comfort rarely associated with antiquing!"
Places to go: Hôtel Drouot, Michele Aragon and Porte de Clignancourt.
The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a playful playground for architecture and design lovers—how can it not be with its rich artistic history? In other cities, you'll find seasoned dealers who have been in the game for years. In Amsterdam, you'll find a plethora of young collectors and dealers taking charge, adding a youthful spirit to the industry.
Jacu Strauss, the creative director of Lore Group, always makes it a point to stop in the city, especially when hunting down vintage items to decorate the hospitality brand's properties. Strauss says Amsterdam is "one of my favorite cities with a culture where locals really embrace re-use and vintage. I recently bought a hundred vintage paintings for a new suite we are creating at The Pulitzer, and I got them all from young local sellers.
Strauss points out Anouk Beerents as a must-visit spot as the shop "specializes in sensitive restoration and sale of the most exquisite mirrors in the most amazingly curated space in the heart of Amsterdam."
Places to go: Anouk Beerents, Robert Schreuder Antiquair and Van Trommelen.
United States
Atlanta
Given that Atlanta houses design establishments like ADAC, the city's robust antique offerings are less of a surprise and more of a cultural staple in the south. Odom, an Atlanta local, is repeatedly amazed by the dynamic and thriving design scene within the city. Odom says, "There's a great network of dealers and curators who do the less glamorous labor of trekking the hard-to-navigate markets and bring back the truly spectacular pieces."
There are a number of shops, such as Dixon Rye and Foxglove Antiques & Galleries, to hit up while in the city, but Odom encourages people to explore outside the city limits. He shares, "A little outside the city, in Chamblee, there's a collection of antique warehouses including The Silk Purse, one of my favorites."
Places to go: Dixon Rye, Foxglove Antiques & Galleries and The Silk Purse.
Boston
Boston may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about antiques destinations—but it should. Leigh Plessner, the chief creative officer of Catbird, points out that the New England city's rich history and architecture make it the prime location for some serious shopping.
"Boston is a city of seekers—the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the glass flowers at Harvard (and Nabokov's butterflies locked away somewhere), the bakeries and used bookstores, the swan boats, the gardens and the staid American Rococo trims on the buildings are all delicious," says Plessner. "The quiet beauty and hidden nooks are the perfect fuel for treasure hunting."
Plessner often points people to the Cambridge Antique Market as a must-visit with its six stories filled to the brim with antiques and vintage items. Plessner says, "I ran through, Supermarket Sweep style and came away with gilt-framed paintings, Venetian glass, and an enormous porcelain swan. I left behind a small framed needlepoint of a dacha in a snow-covered wood, and I might need to fly up for the afternoon to scoop it up."
Places to go: Bartevians, Brodney Antiques & Jewelry and Upstairs Downstairs Home.
Hudson, New York
There's no denying the abundance of antique and vintage shops throughout New York City. However, Strauss implores people to look beyond the city and head north to Hudson. The historic town boasts an impressive roster of charming shops, amazing restaurants, and and atmosphere that keeps you coming back for more. Strauss notes, "All the stores are curated in a way that makes you wish you had three big houses to shop for."
Warren Street, in particular, is home to a number of antique stores, jewelry shops, vintage clothing boutiques, and furniture stores. There's no doubt that you'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for your home, plus a few extra treasures along the way.
Places to go: The Antique Warehouse and Magic Hill.
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