Second-Hand Shopping in Cologne
In Germany, buying second-hand is very common and socially accepted. Locals call it “Second Hand” (pronounced zeh-khant hannt) or use special German terms you’ll need to know.
What is a Flohmarkt?
A “Flohmarkt” (flea market) is an outdoor market where people sell used items. The word literally means “flea market” because long ago, people thought old furniture might have fleas. Today they’re clean and organized!
- How it works: Sellers rent spaces to display their items
- What you’ll find: Clothes, furniture, books, toys, antiques
- Important rule: Bargaining is expected! Start by offering 30% less than the asking price
Thrift Stores vs. Germany
German thrift stores are different from other countries:
Normal Thrift Shops (“Second Hand Läden”)
- Run by charities or businesses
- Items are cleaned and priced by staff
- No bargaining – prices are fixed
Special German Stores
- “Kleiderkammer” – Very cheap clothes (often €1-3 per item) run by churches
- “Sozialkaufhaus” – Furniture/household items supporting social programs
Best Second-Hand Options in Cologne
For Clothes
- Picknweight (Ehrenfeld): Pay by kilogram – about €15/kg for vintage
- Vintage Revivals: Curated 80s-90s fashion near Universität
For Furniture
- Stilbruch (multiple locations): City-run stores with quality checked items
- Porta Second Hand: Like IKEA but used – great for starter apartments
Flea Markets
- Rheinpark Flohmarkt: Sundays 8am-4pm (April-Oct) – biggest in Cologne
- Trödelmarkt am Dom: Saturdays – best for antiques near the cathedral
Important German Vocabulary
- “Wie viel kostet das?” (vee feel kost-et dass) = How much does this cost?
- “Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen?” (kan ish eye-nen rah-baht be-kom-en) = Can I get a discount?
- “Neupreis” = original price (often shown on tags)
