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The best cities for antique shopping offer more than worldly treasures. After all, antique shopping is not just about scoring an elegant chaise lounge or gorgeous Chinoiserie screen—antiquing is a window into the soul of another epoch. Thus antique shops and markets are like living museums, sustaining a bygone era of craftsmanship and offering the opportunity to translate old-world sensibilities into your contemporary space. Every antique shop brings an opportunity to dive into the wonder of a region’s historical significance.
“Each city and culture around the world has something different to offer when shopping for antiques,” interior designer Sarah Solis says. Thus, depending on what you seek, it makes sense to focus your efforts. Feverishly searching for an Art Nouveau Murano glass chandelier? Head for the famed antique halls of Paris. On the hunt for a stylish set of Victorian coupes? Try the Alfies Antique Market in London. “Picking a favorite city for antiquing is truly like picking a favorite child—each is so special and unique,” interior designer Bradley Odom says.
With this in mind, Vogue combed the globe for the best cities for antique shopping, leaning on experts with some serious design chops to spill on their favorite locations and vendors. Pack your bags—we’re going antiquing.
Paris, France
A universally favored destination for antiques, Paris is renowned the world over for its vast assortment of treasures. “It’s where my love of antiquing first blossomed,” Odom shares.
For Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, co-founder of Invisible Collection, it’s impossible to not spend hours at Les Puces, the iconic flea market. “Ask your taxi driver to drop you off at the beginning of the Rue des Rosiers, where you will see the Vernaison Market, which is the real old flea market,” she says. “The best place here is run by Madame Giovannoni, who sells the most beautiful table linens at the best prices.” Dubern-Mallevays also points to Marché Dauphine, Marché Biron, and Marche Paul Bert as must-visit markets for antique lovers.
If you’re in search of furniture, experts also say the Paul Bert Serpette market as a must. “It is one of Kelly Wearstler’s favorites for a reason and is only open on weekends, so make sure to check the hours,” Salon 21 Founder and CEO Alex Bass says. “My dream is to buy a house and fill it with everything from this market.”
Aside from the heavy hitters, Paris also has other unique spots for unearthing treasures. “Everyone knows Montmartre has amazing antiques, but I recently discovered—and now frequent—a few smaller and lesser-known flea markets in and around Paris that I adore,” interior designer Jake Arnold says, adding that these types of spots are great for sourcing more affordable yet stunning small decorative accents.
Milan and Rome, Italy
As a country responsible for design movements that include the Renaissance and the Baroque periods, it’s not hard to see why some of Italy’s most prominent cities—Milan and Rome—would be coveted destinations for antiquing. “Being a major fashion capital, the antique and vintage shopping scene is very prevalent due to its history and is closely associated with that creative spirit that also drives the art form of fashion forward,” Baker says of Milan. For Solis, Rome is her preferred city for sourcing rare and higher-end antiques. “These are exquisite pieces that are truly of another time,” she says.
Round Top, Texas
Referred to as a “bi-yearly must” by Solis, the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas is an energetic event with over 50 years of history. Despite the town of Round Top having a population of less than 100, over 100,000 antique hunters flood in twice a year for a chance to unearth treasures stashed in barns, tents, and hayfields. Mark your calendars: the fair usually occurs in September or October and April or May. There’s also usually a smaller weekend version of the fair each winter fair in January.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Dating back thousands of years, Istanbul is a haven for antique collectors. “Istanbul’s east-meets-west location translates to its history and antiques, with Ottoman treasures sharing space with European Art Deco and Byzantine whispers,” SANAYI313 founder and designer Enis Karavil, who is based in Istanbul, says. “The Galatasaray, Çukurcuma, and Grand Bazaar neighborhoods are home to many antique stores selling furniture, textiles, and other treasures,” he shares, pointing to Erkal Aksoy’s Alaturca House, Hikmet Mizanoglu, and Murat Hashas at Grand Bazaar (for antique fabrics) as some of his favorite destinations in the city.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
With its narrow cobblestone streets and quintessential Dutch row houses, Amsterdam is a cultural treasure trove. “Having recently visited, it was inspiring to see the influence of nearby Delft and its signature blue and white ceramics,” Baker says, noting that Amsterdam’s proximity to the sea lends a unique lens for the antique scene. “It is a place that deeply understands and appreciates form,” she says. If you’re in the market for a new mirror, head for Anouk Beerents, a specialist in antique mirrors since 1987.
Antwerp and Ghent, Belgium
A well-kept secret among seasoned antiquers, Belgium should be on your radar. “I think Belgium is sometimes overlooked for antiques due to pre-conceived notions of a clean, white-oak aesthetic,” Odom says. “Because of this, you can really find an abundance of unique pieces and diverse styles.” But don’t expect to find it all at once—as with all things related to antiquing, patience pays off. “After putting in a few years at the markets and getting to know the vendors, I ve been lucky enough to tour some of the untapped warehouses on the outskirts of Antwerp and Ghent where you can find some real gems,” Odom shares.
Hudson Valley and Catskills, New York
While New York City is an antique destination in its own right, zip upstate and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what’s on offer. “My favorite town for antiquing is Hudson,” interior designer Kimberly Bevan says. “Warren Street is packed with incredible antique and vintage shops, some curated, others for rummaging.” Hudson is also well known for its Antique Warehouse, which takes up over 40,000 square feet of retail space.
And because upstate New York is best experienced with a car, be sure to add other pitstops to your itinerary. “There are a ton of towns along the Hudson, like Tarrytown, with other great antique and vintage furniture shops, so you can make a whole trip out of driving up there from the city,” Bass says.
Heading west of the Hudson River to the Catskills region, you’ll also find several antique and vintage vendors. “These towns are dotted with one-of-a-kind outposts ready to be discovered. Keep an eye out and you can often find a great barn sale full of hidden gems,” Bevan advises.
London, England
London is a crossroad of culture and civilizations, making it a prime destination for a variety of antiques. “You can find a blend of traditional British antiques and international treasures due to its historical connections with various parts of the world,” interior designer Sharon Rembaum of Rembaum-Hanau says. “There really are so many antique markets in London that there is nothing you can’t find.”
Among the more notable markets is the famed Portobello Road. “Portobello Road used to have more of an array of true antiques and now leans more vintage, but there are definitely still finds to be had in and out of the arcades there,” Bass says, adding that “Alfies Antique Market is also a great place for real lighting, furniture, and other homeware.”
If you’re looking for silver pieces, Rembaum suggests The London Silver Vaults. And, for interior designer Alfredo Paredes, TAT London’s assortment of antique framed artwork can’t be beat.
Atlanta, Georgia
“The southeastern region of the US is peppered with incredible antique vendors and sources,” interior designer Sean Anderson says, pointing to Atlanta as the hub for it all. “Foxglove Antiques offers a beautiful, broad collection that is constantly evolving, as does The Nicholson Gallery. Architectural Accents is a great stop for architectural antiques like mantels, doors, and the like.”
Anderson also suggests hitting up the monthly show at Scott’s Antique Market: “This is somewhat of a pilgrimage, but it’s one of my oldest and most favorite sources.”
