Vintage markets in Turin

Vintage shopping in Italy in flea markets is a fun experience that I totally recommend, you never know what small treasures you will find, from clothing to design objects, there is really something for everyone.

Vintage markets in Turin are one of my favourite things about the city, with the Gran Balòn antique and vintage market that takes place once a month being at the top of my list. Turin is rich with markets of all kinds, from typical neighborhood markets where you can buy fruits, vegetables, and gourmet products, as well as clothing and other merchandise, to periodic themed markets featuring antiques, crafts, books, and much more.

Gran Balòn market

The Gran Balòn is an essential stop for lovers of antiques, vintage treasures, and bohemian atmosphere. Located in the heart of the historic Borgo Dora district, this market has a long tradition dating back to the 17th century and still attracts visitors from around the world today. The neighborhood is easily accessible, being practically in Turin’s historic center, just steps away from Piazza Castello and the Duomo, so you won’t need to use public transportation if you’re already in this area.

For all of you planning a visit to Turin in 2025 who love vintage markets with their hidden treasures, I recommend marking the Gran Balòn dates on your calendar. The market is usually held every second Sunday of the month, but it’s always advisable to check the exact dates on the official website to confirm the event and better organize your visit.

How to Reach the Gran Balòn

Reaching the Gran Balòn market area from Turin’s center is quite simple, as it’s located a short distance from Piazza Castello and the historic center, near the beautiful Quadrilatero Romano district. If you’re in Piazza Castello, you can take Via Garibaldi and then turn onto Via Milano until you reach Piazza della Repubblica, where the famous Porta Palazzo food market is held. From there, follow the first of many streets that animate the Balòn market, like Via Goffredo Mameli.

Tips for Visiting the Gran Balòn

After many years of Sunday trips to the Balòn, I feel I can give you some good advice to make your visit even more enjoyable and to ensure you don’t miss any of the things I love most about this market.

1. Arrive Early: The market comes alive in the early morning hours, so arriving early allows you to avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed search among the stalls and find the best pieces still available. By late afternoon, especially in winter months, you’ll find some exhibitors already packing up their merchandise, so you’ll have fewer options. Additionally, the afternoon is certainly the most crowded time, and you’ll find yourself wandering through a river of people. It’s worth getting up a bit earlier to enjoy the morning atmosphere and browse more comfortably.
2. Haggle: The merchandise on display is truly varied, from coffee grinders to period furniture, clothing, and sunglasses. My advice is to always try to negotiate the price—the Balòn is still a market, so it’s completely normal to haggle a bit. Some exhibitors will be more willing to offer discounts while others won’t budge, but it never hurts to try!
3. Bring Cash: Many exhibitors might only accept cash payments, so it’s advisable to bring a sufficient amount of cash. In recent years, however, many vendors have equipped themselves for payment via card terminals. If you bring cash, the recommendation is obviously to be cautious and keep your wallet or purse secure, as you’ll be in a crowd.
4. Explore Leisurely: The Gran Balòn is rich with stalls offering a wide range of items, so take the time to explore every corner and discover small hidden treasures. The market extends through many streets in the district, all crowded with stalls of all kinds, so if it’s your first visit, take the time to discover them all. I now have my tried-and-tested route and know where to find some of my favorite vendors, but the best part of your first visits is getting lost in the various streets and discovering every corner.
5. Savor the Atmosphere: Beyond shopping, enjoy the atmosphere of the neighborhood and stop to eat something at one of the numerous places in Borgo Dora. Particularly along Via Borgo Dora, you can find small places with outdoor seating where you can have lunch or a quick aperitif with “tapas” of typical Piedmontese dishes, from tomino cheese to battuta di fassona (raw beef). Try, for example, Sapordivino or Tut Vin. This neighborhood is really charming, so taking a lunch break while staying in the area is definitely a great idea.

Continuing along Via Borgo Dora, you’ll reach the Cortile Del Maglio, part of what was once the Military Arsenal.

Besides this, I recommend paying a bit of attention to your personal belongings, as always when you’re in a crowd and might be distracted admiring some stall or talking with vendors, there could be someone trying to take advantage and slip something from your pockets or bag. This happens in all big cities, and you just need to be aware, although personally, I’ve never had any problems.

In addition to the merchandise displayed on the stalls, you can also enter and explore the numerous antique shops in the area if you’re looking for a more particular piece or simply love browsing.

If you happen not to be in Turin on the “right” Sunday for the Gran Balòn, don’t despair: every Saturday from 7 AM to 6 PM, the so-called “Saturday Balòn” is held, a smaller version of the monthly one, but no less interesting if you love antiques and vintage items.

Other Vintage Markets in Turin

Also on the theme of markets, every third Sunday of the month behind the Gran Madre church, the “Gran Madre vintage market” is held (exept July and August, but I do not recommend to visit the city during the hot summer months). It’s significantly smaller than the Gran Balòn, but this market offers special finds, especially for fashion lovers and chic clothing. The same market is held on Corso Marconi the day before, on the third Saturday of the month.

Continuing with the vintage fashion theme, every second Saturday of the month (exept July and August) in Piazza Carlo Alberto, another market called Extravaganza is held, which also focuses primarily on vintage clothing. Browse the stalls for some high fashion finds, but keep in mind you may not have proof of authenticity of designer items when buying here.

The first Saturday of the month head to Piazza Vittorio for another opportunity to find some beautiful antique item, vintage jewelry and much more. This is also one of the most beautiful Piazzas of Turin, so you should definetly check it out.

Craft Market in Turin

If you’re in the city on the first Sunday of the month, the place to explore is San Salvario Emporium: “Turin’s market dedicated to traditional and digital crafts, design, illustration, and independent publishing.” Personally, I adore this market, and every time I go, I end up buying something, maybe just a scented candle or some artisanal beauty product made with natural ingredients, or some beautiful prints to decorate the house, or some clothing made with great passion and skill. It’s also my favorite place to hunt for birthday or Christmas gifts, as I like the idea of supporting an artisan who creates high-quality products that I know will be appreciated by those who receive them.

This market takes place in Piazza Madama Cristina, in the San Salvario neighborhood, and you can easily get there from Porta Nuova train station.

Second hand books

If you are a book lover, you may be interested also in finding some second hand books (even if most will be of course in Italian).

The place to go for this is Via Po, walking from Piazza Castello keep on the left and about half way you will find many used books stalls. Take a look and see if you can find some hidden treasure about art, vintage prints, and maybe the Italian edition of your favourite book to get as a souvenir.

To conclude, the Gran Balòn and other Turin markets are an integral part of the city and beloved by both Turin residents and visitors alike. Exploring an antique market offers the possibility of taking a dive into the past and giving new life to “abandoned” objects. Mark the dates, prepare to shop, and let yourself be enchanted by the charm of these authentic oases of culture and tradition. Happy shopping!