For travellers who enjoy browsing antique shops, hunting for second-hand finds and learning traditional crafts, some cities offer plenty of reasons to pack an extra bag.
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The October 2026 report, conducted by Embroidery Legacy, compared 45 cities worldwide to identify destinations offering the strongest combination of craft experiences and vintage shopping. Paris claimed the top spot, with 351 antique and second-hand shops, the highest number recorded in the study.
Japan also made a strong showing, with Tokyo and Osaka taking second and third place respectively. Tokyo stood out for its 145 bookable art workshops, while Seoul in South Korea earned recognition for its almost daily flea market trading.
The world’s top five cities for craft and vintage lovers
The study assessed destinations using five factors: the number of bookable craft workshops, median workshop prices, recognised traditional craft heritage, antique and second-hand shops near city centres, and how often major flea markets operate each month.
Here are the five cities that came out on top.
1. Paris, France
<text>With 351 antique and second-hand shops, Paris offers an impressive range of places to hunt for pre-loved clothing, collectibles and unusual finds. The French capital also has 143 bookable art workshops, giving visitors the opportunity to try their hand at a creative skill while in the city.</text>
Its flea markets operate for around 13 days a month, while four UNESCO-recognised craft heritage elements were recorded for France in the study. For anyone who enjoys combining a little retail therapy with creative experiences, Paris has plenty to offer.
2. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the leading destination in the study for hands-on craft workshops, with 145 bookable experiences. Classes have a median price of $23, making them relatively accessible for visitors keen to learn something new.
Some of the options are particularly affordable. Chopstick-making workshops were found to cost as little as $5, while embroidery classes also attracted considerable online interest.
The city has 155 antique and second-hand shops, adding another reason for vintage enthusiasts to include it on their itinerary.
3. Osaka, Japan
Osaka follows closely behind Tokyo, with 124 bookable craft workshops and a median class price of $35. The city also has 102 antique and second-hand shops, offering visitors opportunities to browse for vintage pieces between cultural experiences.
Embroidery is another popular craft interest in the city, reflecting a wider appreciation for hands-on creative activities in Japan.
4. Seoul, South Korea
For travellers who enjoy spending time at flea markets, Seoul has a particularly interesting offering. Its flagship flea market operates for approximately 26 days a month, making it one of the most frequently open markets included in the research.
The city also has 122 bookable craft workshops, with a median price of $39. Although the study recorded just eight antique and second-hand shops near the city centre, its regular flea market activity gives vintage hunters another reason to visit.
5. London, United Kingdom
London rounds out the top five, with 243 antique and second-hand shops, the second-highest number in the study after Paris.
The city has 54 bookable craft workshops, with a median price of $70. Its established vintage shopping scene and variety of creative experiences make it an appealing destination for visitors interested in traditional skills and pre-loved treasures.
Other cities worth adding to your list
The study also included five other destinations in its global top 10:
- New York, United States: 84 bookable craft workshops and 89 antique and second-hand shops.
- Kyoto, Japan: 122 craft workshops, with a median class price of just $13.
- Florence, Italy: 63 bookable workshops and a flagship flea market that operates around 30 days a month.
- Barcelona, Spain: 43 bookable workshops and 42 antique and second-hand shops.
- Istanbul, Türkiye: 68 bookable workshops, with a median class price of $25.
Why craft experiences are becoming part of travel
As interest in second-hand fashion and creative hobbies continues to grow, travel offers an opportunity to experience the traditions and techniques behind the things people make and collect.
The global second-hand apparel market is projected to reach $367 billion by 2029, according to the press release accompanying the study. For travellers, this growing interest also brings attention to vintage shopping, traditional craftsmanship and locally rooted creative experiences.
Jesse Deer from Embroidery Legacy noted that workshops and other learning opportunities help keep traditional crafts alive across generations. Travel can also introduce visitors to different cultural influences, patterns and techniques that inspire their own creative projects long after they return home.
For those planning their next city break, a little time spent browsing a flea market or joining a local workshop could offer a different perspective on the destination.
Source: Embroidery Legacy. The study’s full findings are available through its website.
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