Marolles Flea Market in Brussels is a morning well spent in the capital. Here’s all the information for visiting.
How To Get To Marolles Flea Market
Marolles Flea Market is located on Place du Jeu de Balle. A huge square located in the heart of the Marolles district of Brussels.
There are a couple of ways to reach the flea market:
By Foot:
If you’re staying in the southern part of the city, the Marolles Flea Market should be within walking distance following google maps.
If you like to use landmarks as a guide, the market is just a short 5 minute walk from the famous Palais de Justice.
By Metro:
If you are staying a little further away, the best option is to jump on the metro to Louise station. Then walk the remaining 10 minutes (850m) to the market.
The market is held on a huge square so it’s unmissable. However, if in doubt, it’s directly in front of Pin Pon Restaurant.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
Marolles Flea Market Opening Times
Daily: 6am – 2pm.
Marolles Flea Market is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The only market in the world to do so!
Best Time To Visit Marolles Flea Market + Tips
As with any tourist attraction, and especially a market, the best time to visit Marolles Flea Market in Brussels is first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. The earlier the better!
Also with markets you always want to arrive sooner rather than later to get first dibs on the items on offer!
If you can, the best day to visit the flea market is Monday to Friday as the market draws less people during the week and so you are more likely to find a really good bargain.
We recommend taking cash to Marolles Flea Market as most of the venders don’t accept card payments.
We also recommend wearing sensible shoes, as the streets are cobbled and you may be walking around for a while.
What To Pack
What To Expect At Marolles Flea Market
Marolles Flea Market in Brussels is one of the most popular markets in the city and the only market in the world to be open every single day of the year.
The market is laid out on Place du Jeu de Balle, which refers in French to the ball games that took place there in the 19th century.
A very trendy area, the location of Place du Jeu de Balle has a long history when it comes to its function of trading. In the 17th century, it was intended for the sale of rags (second-hand clothes), before merchants officially settled in there 1873.
Nowadays, Marolles Flea Market opens at 6am every day. Needless to say we weren’t there that early! At the market you’ll find all sorts from clothing to artwork, and old brass pots and pans.
Sometimes the market is home to more than 500 stalls and shops, so you can be sure to find a huge selection of bric-a-brac, vintage furniture and retro décor pieces too. Think of an up-market car boot/junk sale.
The square itself is beautiful. It houses a refurbished fire station and one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Brussels.
A quirky place indeed, with galleries, antique shops and restaurants, all within touching distance, there’s plenty to explore in the area.
So, whether you are a bargain hunter, ready to discover a great find, or just out to stroll around and experience the bustling atmosphere, there is something for everyone.
Our Experience
Unfortunately, when we visited the Marolles Flea Market it was raining. Although there were still plenty of locals lined up showcasing their antiques and selling off old goods at cheap prices.
At one point the rain got a little too heavy, so we jumped into Les Artistes (a small local cafe) for an awesome vegetable baguette. We were able to sit outside under the canopy and take in the surroundings which was nice.
After the rain died down we spent a good couple of hours exploring Marolles Flea Market, but we didn’t end up buying anything.
Although, keep an eye out at the end of the market when all the sellers are packing away their things. Some end up leaving items behind that are either broken or that haven’t sold.
Our local friends told us you can sometimes find free objects left behind like mirrors, drawings, old photographs and small pieces of jewellery that have fallen in between the market’s cobblestones.
Overall, Marolles Flea Market has everything you’d expect of a typical flea market and is a great way to spend an hour or two in the capital.
An ideal thing to do in Brussels for those looking to pick up a unique Belgian souvenir.
Plus the market is surrounded by cafes and restaurants – any excuse for a Belgian baguette or some frites!
So if you fancy something a little different, yet still a typical Brussels experience, then why not head to Marolles Flea Market early one morning and have a stroll.
You will need a Brussels Atomium Admission Ticket to visit the Atomium. They are cheap enough at £14 per adult, and are easy enough to be book in advance.
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Trip sponsored by Visit Brussels
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