Thrift stores and flea markets: best kept Sarajevo secret

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Shopping doesn’t come to mind when most people think of Sarajevo. Hopefully, by the end of this blog that changes. I did my Erasmus in Warsaw in 2015/16 and naturally, almost every year since that wonderful experience 2-3 friends visit me in Sarajevo. Every time someone visits, my first instinct is to show them war-related things. This is something a lot of locals do because there is a lot of history to showcase. One of my friends said Sarajevo is like an open museum.

While that is a beautiful sentiment, there are many other things the city can offer that we, the locals, usually do not squeeze into these short tours. One of these things is - shopping! In this post, I will try to summarize the best stores with amazing bargains where you can get designer clothes for 0. 5$ and, a flea market where you can get pieces of history to take home.

Let's start with the cheap stores.

1. The most famous second-hand store chain is: Textile House

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There are stores all over the city. Within these stores, you can get a calendar and the store clerk can explain how their bargains work. Basically, most stores work like this: new merchandise comes in every two weeks, in the beginning, the prices vary and as time goes they drop, by the end of the first week they start dropping gradually and by the very last day of the two weeks everything is 1KM or 0. 5EUR. Different stores around the city function on different schedules. I prefer going to less crowded ones where the "good stuff" gets sold last. Like for, example, Dobrinja or Alipašino polje.

List of their stores can be found on their website. The website is available in English as well.

It is important to keep in mind that shopping in a thrift store is always going to be a different experience. Every time you go in the merchandise changes and there's rarely two same pieces. Some batches are just better than others so it is a gamble, but it is a fun gamble! There's a lot of cute second-hand shops around the city, it is hard to remember all their names. Just go in when you see one and you might stumble upon something that will stay with you for many years.

2. Azel France

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Now, this outlet chain is the sole reason some of my friends visit. They sell first-hand clothing from a bunch of brands such as Morgan, Tommy Hilfiger, Jenken Crossby, Oh la la, Manta, Nagata, Outfitters Nation, Esprit, etc. Once there is a sale at this store you can dress from head-to-toe for around 100KM or 50EUR. The only thing that might disappoint you is that sometimes you might like something, and it won't be available in your size. But, it is still worth the try if you need something new and don't feel like spending a fortune. Just like with Textile House, it might be better to go to non-central neighborhoods for better chances of finding cheaper stuff.

The locations of their stores can be found on their website or on Google Maps.

And finally,

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3. The flea market

Sarajevska Autopijaca is a legendary market where you can find anything from rare books, collection of stamps and vinyl to laptops and cars! The most interesting thing I found there is a third-century Roman coin that I bought for 2KM or 1EUR.

(Collection of second-hand books I found at Autopijaca back in 2014)

Of course, the market doesn't have its own webpage. It is a bit trickier to get there and it is only open on Sundays in the morning. The easiest way to get there would be to get into a cab and, if you do not speak the local language slide the driver a paper with "Autopijaca - Stup". They will know where to go.

So, there it is. A little alternative tour of Sarajevo and a bit of a different way to explore the city. It is always fun to own little things with a story and a personality of their own.

Enjoy!

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