El Rastro
Plaza de Cascorro · 28 min walk
El Rastro is Madrid's most popular flea market, sprawling through Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores every Sunday and public holiday. Bargain hunters and browsers alike flood the narrow streets between Calle Embajadores and the Ronda de Toledo.
Look past the tourist tat for the real treasure: side stalls selling vintage cameras, old postcards, and forgotten tools. Check the back corners for curios. Best visited on a sunny morning, before the midday crush.