With quality goods ranging from delicious fruit and top-quality venison to tweed clothing and attractive Celtic jewellery, flea markets and Edinburgh street markets are great places to find whatever you’re looking for in Scotland capital.
For decades, the Farmers’ Market has been the place for locals to shop for food in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The West End Fair sells beautiful crafts during the festival season, while the Christmas Market gets the Christmas spirit flowing with mulled wine and cinnamon-scented delights. But if you think those are the only options in town, you couldn’t be more wrong. Read on and we’ll tell you all about Edinburgh’s must-visit markets.
Edinburgh street markets open daily
The Pitt food and flea
- Location: Moving to Granton in Late Spring 2024
This Edinburgh street market bills itself as home to some of the best street food in the city. It also has a range of traders selling craft beer, vintage clothes, records and desserts. The Pitt was born in Leith and quickly established itself as a hit with street food lovers, thanks to a variety of establishments that put the quality and execution of each dish above all else. The Pitt also hosts concerts and live entertainment.
On the other, the flea market, an antiques and craft market that is only open at weekends. In winter, the Food and Flea is closed, so check the opening hours on their website before visiting.
Edinburgh street markets on Saturdays
Out of the Blue Flea Market
- Location: 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh
- Hours: 10am – 3pm
Out of the Blue is housed in a former army drill hall that has been transformed into a fully-fledged cultural centre, hosting a variety of public events and artists’ studios. Its monthly flea market, which takes place on the last Saturday of every month is an event for all ages with a wealth of handmade items from local artists: trinkets, vintage vinyl, fashion, musical instruments, antiques, furniture and indescribably unique gems are just some of the things you’ll find at this Edinburgh flea market.
Edinburgh Farmers’ Market
- Location: Castle Terrace, behind Edinburgh Castle
- Hours: from 9am to 2pm
At the famous Edinburgh Farmers’ Market you can find the most delicious seasonal produce. The market in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle’s ramparts on Castle Terrace. These small local producers and artisans from all over Scotland bring the best of they produce to Edinburgh every Saturday throughout the year to this bustling little market.
Here you can find venison, beef, chicken, lamb and pork, as well as seasonal fruit and vegetables. Jams, chutneys, chillies and cheeses along with crusty breads, handmade chocolates and organic beer offer an experience that is not only worthwhile on a tourist level, but above all on a gastronomic level. Visit the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market and discover all that traditional Scottish cuisine has to offer.
Grassmarket
- Location: 39 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
- Hours: Every Saturday from 10am to 5pm
Located in the touristy Grassmarket Square in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Grassmarket is one of the most anticipated weekend markets. It’s one of the best markets in Edinburgh to sample homegrown produce, including seasonal fruit and vegetables, freshly baked breads, sweets and souvenirs handmade by local artisans or little shops selling books, second-hand clothes.
If you want to make the most of your day in Edinburgh, we recommend you stop and try the takeaway food stalls. You can find everything from Colombian arepas, South African food, dumplings, vegan cuisine or the famous Saturday paella from the folks at Lovely Paella.
The Tram stop market
- Location: in front of St Mary’s Cathedral, near the York Place tram terminus
- Hours: Saturdays 11am-5pm
This small food market takes place every Saturday very close to the centre of Edinburgh, in the small square opposite the John Lewis entrance on York Place / Broughton Street. Although it has only a few stalls, it is a good place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.
Portobello Local Market
- Location: in Brighton Park
- Hours: the first Saturday of every month, 9.30am – 1.30pm.
In the seaside neighbourhood of Portobello, you’ll find the popular Portobello Market, where you can buy fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, baked goods and much more. Although food is the main focus of the market, there is also a section dedicated to local crafts and other organic produce.
Leith Market
- Location: Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh
- Hours: open every Saturday from 10am – 4pm
If you’re in town on a Saturday and feel like visiting one of Edinburgh’s flea markets, take a bus down to the Leith waterfront to Leith Market, where you can buy prints, groceries, candles and lots of food.
On the first Saturday of every month, Leith Market hosts a Vegan Quarter where, along with the regular traders, the market is filled with vegan delights worth trying. Come and discover the most natural flavours of Scotland.
Sunday markets in Edinburgh
Stockbridge Market
- Location: on Saunders Street
- Hours: Sunday from 10am to 4pm
This little market is located in a park in Saunders Street with very picturesque places around it. Here you can enjoy the food and drink stalls and shops selling fresh local produce.
If you like second-hand clothes shops, we recommend that you browse the Stockbridge charities on Raeburn Place. These are shops selling second-hand clothing and goods, which people donate and their sales support various charities. Many people find vintage clothes or real treasures in these shops.
In addition, the charming neighbourhood of Stockbridge has great cafes, bakeries, butchers and wine shops, where you can enjoy real local produce.
Second-hand flea market
This classic second-hand flea market is held on Sunday mornings in an underground car park of the Omni Centre building, close to the centre.
Vendors set up their cars and sell clothes, books and other items. It’s one of the most popular in Edinburgh because, if you’re willing to rummage around, you can find bargains of all kinds.
Occasional markets
Some markets and flea markets in Edinburgh are occasional, held only at certain times of the year or on certain dates. These are just a few; if you know of more, leave them in a comment and we’ll add them to the list.
The Neighbourhood Market
Located on Portgower Place in Stockbridge, The Neighbourhood Market is a seasonal outdoor food and drink market. It does not operate year-round, but runs from mid-May to the end of July, Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 21:00.
Castle Street Fair
With Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop, the Castle Street Fair is one of Edinburgh’s best located street markets in the city.
Stalls range from hot and cold food to artwork, soaps, candles, knitwear and wooden crafts. The market usually takes place every month, although dates vary. To find out if it will be open during your visit, check their website, which lists upcoming dates.
West End Fair
- Location: at St John’s Church
- Hours: from 11am-6pm
During Edinburgh’s summer festivals in August, the grounds of St Johns Church in the West End of Princes Street Gardens take on a new spirit as they become home to The West End Fair, Scotland’s premier craft, art and design fair.
Since its establishment in 1984, this popular city event has gone from strength to strength. Showcasing the talents of designers, makers and artists with a wide range of handmade jewellery, art, leather, clothing, accessories, textiles, bath and beauty, it’s the perfect place to buy a gift for a loved one or simply a souvenir of your trip to the city.
Christmas Market
We couldn’t list the best flea markets in Edinburgh without talking about the city’s Christmas market. As part of the Edinburgh Winter Festival, traditional Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens offers a wide variety of European and Scottish food and drink, unique crafts, clothing and gifts.
Immerse yourself in the sounds, smells and delights of this bustling market, which takes place between November and January each year, and make the most of Edinburgh at Christmas.
Other markets
- Quartermile Market. It is a food and art market that takes place every first Friday of the month in the Quartermile area.
- A Spoonful of Vintage. A flea market of vintage clothes and decoration organised by the Spoon restaurant, in Nicolson St (and also in other locations), every few months.
- Scotfairs. These antiques and collectables fairs are held in different cities in Scotland, including Edinburgh.
- Judy’s affordable vintage fair. A street market of vintage clothing and home accessories. It passes through several cities in the United Kingdom with different formats, such as selling clothes by the kilo.
- Edinburgh Antiques & Collector’s Fair. Antiques and collectors’ market that takes place on some weekends on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
- The Scottish Bead Fair. A jewellery fair that visits a Scottish city every few months.
Flavours, smells, colours,… We invite you to stroll around the city and enjoy Scotland capital street markets to make you feel like a real Edinburgher!