I was never much of a fan of flea markets before moving to Berlin. Then I visited the flea market in Mauer Park this summer and fell in love. Whether it was fashionable girls strutting their stuff in order to get featured in a street style photograph, an old man selling over priced antique, vintage treasures (aka junk) or an upcoming artist selling their photos or new clothing designs, I was taken in by the whole thing. The weekly karaoke routine make Sunday trips there even more fun!

Then came September when I stumbled across a rather quirky flea market in Barcelona where everything from toilets, to bras, weird looking dolls and used books were available for purchase. This hilarious experience got me to thinking, why not visit some local markets when I’m in Krakow for the weekend?

So that’s why I headed to the Plac Nowy Jewish Market in the Krakow’s Kazimierz district. Filled with 310 stalls, the market oozes history having been around since 1808.

And it was more fun than I first imagined. Just like the market in Barcelona, you could buy bras, underwear and even cleaning products but best of all you could take your pick from loads of furry coats and boots. Trust me, they need them as it gets pretty cold in those parts!

A couple of insider’s tips about the market at Plac Nowy – it’s said to be the only place in the city where you can purchase horse meat and it’s also said to have the best street food stall in all of Krakow at Bar Endzior. Apparently the queue gets quite long here sometimes as people load up on zapiekanka before a night out drinking vodka. You’ll find the stall in the rotunda (a former slaughter house) located in the center of the market.

The best part for me was taking in the fashion of locals who sported some of the best winter gear I’ve seen to date.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.Seriously Digging Her Fur Coat And Sparkling Hat. 

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.Chewbacca Styled Hats For Every Occasion

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.Household Products Can Be Purchased Here

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.Meow! Furry Yet Fashionable. 

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.This Woman’s Full Length Fur Coat and Boots Were My Favorite.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.Who Needs Victoria Secret?

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.A Little Bling With The Sparkling Purple Poncho.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

While not as picture perfect as Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) in the city’s main square, the derelict buildings that surround the site and the aged green stalls that fill the market charmed and delighted me all the more. It has character, wasn’t filled with many tourists (aside from myself of course) and is a historical Krakow institution.

Before heading to Krakow or anywhere else for that matter, make sure you book Travel Insurance that takes into consideration medical cover and other hazardous activities.

 * This post was done in partnership with InsureandGo.


About The Author:  A Canadian freelance writer and travel blogger based in Berlin, Cheryl writes all about European travel and expat life. Filled with wanderlust, her nomadic heart and soul has taken her to over 22 countries throughout North/South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Unable to sit still for long, she's always planning her next trip.


26 Responses to Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow.

  1. Shannon MNo Gravatar says:

    If its a flea market does that mean its used clothing? Or do they sell used or new clothing? I can’t think of why one would want to buy used bras

  2. MauroNo Gravatar says:

    Oooh… zapiekanka… <33

    • Cheryl HowardNo Gravatar says:

      @Mauro – I’ve yet to try it but I want to! Just learned about the place during my research afterwards. I want to go back just to taste it. :)

  3. AndreaNo Gravatar says:

    Looks like one can find some pretty fashionable things at this market – love it!

  4. AdamNo Gravatar says:

    Excuse me, did you say horsemeat?!?

  5. LaurelNo Gravatar says:

    How quirky, but interesting. There’s a flea market near my house every Saturday but I’ve never gone, maybe it’s worth a look.

  6. This place seems to have a lot of character! I love these kinds of markets.

    • Cheryl HowardNo Gravatar says:

      @Laurel – It was such a fun time! I loved this market and you should definitely check out the one in Munich. :)

      @Samuel – Me too.

  7. So I guess PETA hasn’t infiltrated Krakow yet :-)

  8. EurotripTipsNo Gravatar says:

    I love flea markets, even though I rarely buy anything. It’s so much fun to see what junk people have in different countries! First time I noticed a flea market with cleaning products to sell, though!

  9. [...] attractions. While I managed to stumble upon some pretty epic street art and have a fun time at the Jewish flea market, I found the city still possesses a rather serious and somber tone. This is mostly due in part to [...]

  10. [...] Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow. | cherylhoward.comFeb 8, 2012 … At the Plac Nowy Jewish Market in Krakow, you’ll find bras, underwear, furry hats, cleaning products, horse meat and zapiekanka. What more … [...]

  11. [...] I’d been seeking out the Plac Nowy Jewish market in Kazimierz when I stumbled across this cafe. Certainly one of the coolest places I’ve hung [...]

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