Huge street market on Sunday mornings, from very early to around 1pm, on the left bank of the Tiber, between Porta Portese and Stazione Trastevere, centred on Via Portuense. The wares are mainly clothes, both old and new. The second-hand clothing stalls are by far the more popular, with the clothes sorted by type (leathers and furs, jeans, coats, children’s clothes, etc) and piled on large tables with everything at the same (low) price. Tables start at 50c, and range up to 20 euro for high-quality leather and fur. Only in Rome would you find ladies of a certain age, immaculately made-up, and dressed in this season’s mink, enthusiastically rummaging through old clothes.
It gets rougher towards the station, with illegal immigrants -- mainly Balkan rather than black these days -- selling things of little visible value from sheets on the ground, ready to gather everything up and run if anyone in authority appears.
The antiques part is mainly north of the main road, from Via E. Rolli towards Ippolito Niero. This part of the market is mixed in among apartment blocks, with few through roads and many cul-de-sacs, so it’s easy to miss sections. I’m not certain I got around everywhere myself before they started packing up. There’s a good mix of stuff for sale, from flashy imitation gear, through second-hand and household goods, to prints and books, silverware, and pukkah antiques. At the junction of Porto Portuense and E. Rolli there’s the Russian enclave, with Maryoshka dolls, lacquered boxes, amber, Red Army insignia and caps, but also dentist's tools, cameras, and binoculars.
This is a serious flea market, and a good antidote if you’re feeling overwhelmed by culture. Prices vary and are fully negotiable.
Porta Portese may be a unique buying adventure, but there are dozens of markets in Rome. They can pop up on almost any street because everyone seems to have something sell or get rid of, and as the old saying goes, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. Navigating through Rome's markets is a bit like touring the city. You have to know where to go in order to find what you're looking for and you have to know which market is open on which day. If you're in Rome on a short visit and can't make the Sunday market, there are smaller mercatini that set up shop daily (except Sundays) from sunrise until two in the afternoon.
The market at Ponte Milvio, located a little off the beaten track, can give you a taste of how the Romans do their one-stop shopping. "Buongiorno, Buongiorno, Buongiorno," the vendors greet customers one by one as the people fill the outdoor isles of the market looking for the freshest pick. You can see piles of lemons and limes mixed together next to avocados, tomatoes and mushrooms. It's a bazaar of fruits, vegetables, linens, clothing and miscellaneous household items. Elderly merchants pull fresh fish from mounds of ice and as the cubes fall to the ground little boys playfully race each other to smash the ice under their feet. Their mothers wait patiently while the merchants weigh the fish and then they lazily move on to the next stand. You can smell the alluring scent of pizza baking in a nearby pizzeria and you can feel the atmosphere of a typical Roman neighborhood.
Located near the Tiber River, you can arrive to the market at Ponte Milvio by taking tram number two from Piazzale Flaminio, just behind Piazza del Popolo, and getting off at Ponte Milvio. Cross the bridge and you will see the market on your right-hand side. You can also take a taxi from the historic center to Ponte Milvio for a little more than $5 (L10.000).
If you're in the market for antiques, there is another open market at Ponte Milvio that is in the specific trade of antique buying and selling. It's only open on the first weekend of each month from dusk until dawn, but it's well known in Rome for having fine antiques dating back through the 1800's.
The market, situated right along the Tiber River, is about the length of a football field and is the perfect scene for a romantic sunset stroll.
If you are limited by time and can't wonder too far from the city's center, the market at Campo de' Fiori is a common tourist hangout and the perfect market for the tourist on the go. Located in the city's center, Campo de' Fiori was once the site for capital punishment and is thought to have the oldest open market in the city.
There are about forty stands in the market filled mostly with fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, flowers and kitchenware such as espresso makers and pasta presses. You can enjoy outdoor seating at one of the several bars or restaurants that surround the quaint mercatino. Glasses of wine, antipasti and pieces of pizza usually cost anywhere between $2-$7 (L4.000-L14.000) each per person.
However, many tourists and backpackers often simply loaf around the market eating fresh fruits and nuts. Wild berries cost about $3 (L6.000) per basket, grapes $1.25 (L2.500) kg and apples and oranges run about $1.50 (L3.000) kg.
So, if you're a bargain hunter, antique fanatic, garage sale junkie or just a plain tourist and you're headed to Rome, your souvenirs may be waiting at one of the city's open markets.
A morning adventure though the piles and clutter of Porta Portese, Campo de' Fiori or Ponte Milvio is certain to lead you to a scene that is authentically alla Romana.
For more complete information on the street markets of Rome.
Porta Portese!: Mercato delle pulci!
I don't think that flea market is a correct name for this event. Let me start saying that is is huge. I've read somewhere that the market has a 1000 stalls. (and that only 10% got a license. lol) We enjoyed it very much. Frederik even bought shoes. Those white extravagant Italian ones you wont find easely anywhere else , and that for a very low price. I was temted to buy a nice italian leather wallet from a posh shop from the via condotti for 33% of the price. Very cheap , because it was last years collection. Who cares? Anyway , you should go here to sence some couleur locale and get in touch with the real Rome.
Leather jackets for very low prices , wallets , clothes for 1 , 2 and 3 Euro. If you walk farher away from the Porta Portese you'll find the flea market area. Very nice.
Trastevere - start walking at the PP and take the tram back. Afterwards enjoy a drink in that area.
Mercato Rionale in Via Cola di Rienzo
The local market is held around Piazza dell'Unità on Via Cola di Rienzo.
It covers the block from Via Fabio Massimo to the Unità Square. The 1928 building was constructed in neoclassical style in white and pale yellow. The main facade has an enormous arched entrance supported by two Doric columns and symmetrical to the one at the back on Via Dei Gracchi. Two small fountains against the walls to the sides of the entrance act as decorations. They have two basins, one above the other, and are housed in decorated niches. Large coats of arms can be seen above the fountains.
Exploring Rome's Markets
by Christian Horlick
Italians love to shop. If you ever drive on via Tuscolana and get stuck in traffic, you'll notice many double-parked, and even triple-parked, cars in front of the many clothing and shoe stores. Or perhaps, you had the experience of going to a shopping mall on a Saturday, drove around for a half hour looking for a parking space, gave up, then noticed a car pulling out of one, but when you got there another car had pulled into the space from an impossible angle, tempers flared and a shouting match ensued. Then once again you gave up to go home, but this time with defeat and disgust. This has been happening in Rome for centuries.
Shopping malls have been around a lot longer than you might think. Imagine the chariots of Ancient Rome tailgating through traffic and honking their horns, horses double-parked, the flies, the odors amassing as a Roman dismounts his chariot and saunters into a toga store to check out the new autumn line. This was probably the scene in front of Trajan's Markets (Mercati di Traiano), built for the Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century A.D. The building is located a short distance from the Coliseum, on via IV Novembre, 94 and you can see the original five level building where food, oil, pottery, flowers, imitation designer sandals, etc. were sold. Most of the 150 shops are still intact and can be visited, but unfortunately there have no longer any goods to buy.
If you wake up one morning and notice your motorino is missing, or your camera was stolen while at Termini, there is a good chance it will turn up in Porta Portese. This is the most famous and largest market in Rome. Just about anything you imagine could be found here: antique furniture, rugs, mirrors, car parts, car stereos, clothes, shoes, herbs, kitchenware, and just about everything else. If you see a group of people standing in the crowded walkways playing a game involving three tin cups under which one ball is hidden and you have to guess which; don't, you'll lose. Porta Portese, located near Trastevere, is open every Sunday starting at 5am and closes around 2pm.
There is also a Porta Portese 2, located near via Prenestina and via Togliatti. It is a much smaller version of the original, but you can still buy most everything. It is open every Sunday from 6am-2pm.
Another famous market is the Mercato di via Sannio. This market is less chaotic than Porta Portese, but not much less since the spectator also has to maneuver through a stream of cars, as well as people, on via Sannio. It specializes mainly in clothes. Here, you'll be able to find good second-hand, as well as new, clothes in what looks like a maze of little garden shacks. The Mercato di via Sannio is located near San Giovanni on, you guessed it, via Sannio. It is open 10am-1:30pm Mon-Fri; 10am-2pm Sat.
Borghetto Flaminio is open every Sunday 10-7. You can find a little bit of everything here. It is a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, or you can take the number 2 tram from Piazzale Flaminio. It is located across the street from Piazza della Marina, in an old garage. There is also a small entry charge of about €2. Some of the less famous markets are not open every week. Some open the first Sunday of the month, some the third, some are supposed to be open the fourth Sunday, but aren't. Some still advertise but no longer exist. Of these is the market in Piazza Verdi. This is one of the nicer markets to walk around in and deals mainly in antiques. There are bargains to be found here, so it's best to arrive early in the morning. It is open from sunup to sundown on the fourth Sunday of the month.
On the second Sunday of the month, you can venture to Anticaglie a Villa Glori, located on Viale Maresciallo Pilsudski, in Parioli. Here you'll find a large assortment of antique porcelain vases, furniture and paintings. It is open Sat-Sun 9-8
Rome's markets are densely crowded, so much so that it might be a good idea to put a lubricant on your clothes so you can squeeze through the people. Also, if you don't plan on buying anything, you should leave your wallet at home, but if you do take your wallet, keep it well guarded. There are pickpockets and other such evil forces everywhere.
Weekly Markets
Little Market of Borgo Parioli
Via Tirso 14 to Via Metauro 21
Sat and Sun:10am-8pm
Closed 4th Sunday of the month
Antique vases, books, furniture, jewelry, silver
Market of Fontanella Borghese
Piazza Borghese
Mon-Sat: 9am-7pm
Antique books, prints, jewelry
Porta Portese
Viale Trastevere
Sunday: 5am-2pm
A lot of everything
Portaportese 2
Between Via Togliatti and Via Prenestina
Metro stop Anagnina
Sunday: 6am-2pm
A little of everything
Mercato di Via Sannio
Via Sannio (San Giovanni neighborhood)
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
Clothes and accessories
Monthly Markets
First Sunday:
Ponte Milvio
Lungotevere Capoprati, Flaminio
Sat. – Sun.: Sunrise-sunset
Antiques
Second Sunday:
Villa Chigi
Via Valnerina
7:30am-sunset
Antique illustrated books, art, magazines
Giardino d'inverno
Via Panama 25
10am-7pm
Second and fourth Sundays
A little of everything
Anticaglie a Villa Glori
Viale Maresciallo Pilsudski
Sat-Sun: 9am-8pm
Antique porcelain vases, paintings, furniture
Third Sunday:
Antiquariati a Testaccio
Piazza S. Maria Liberatrice
Metro Piramide
8am-8pm
Antiques
Mostra Mercato Cinecittà
Cinecittà neighborhood
8am-sunset
Modern objects, a little of everything
Fourth Sunday:
Piazza Verdi
Sunup-Sundown
Antiques
Market of Piazzale Ankara
Flaminio neighborhood
8am- sundown
Antique paintings, furniture, books
Other Markets
Borghetto Flaminio
Piazza della Marina 32, underground market
Sundays: 10am-7pm
A little of everything
Entry charge approximately 2 euro
Big Deal
Via Cassia
Sundays: 9am-7pm
A little of everything
Il Circo del Mercanti (The merchants' circus)
Corner of Palatenda di Via Conca d'Oro and Ponte delle valli
10am-7:30pm
A little of everything
Entry charge approximately 2 euro .
Fruit & Vegetable Markets
Piazza Vittorio 10 min walk South of Termini You will find this fresh fruit market which circles an interesting park. Other Fruit and Vegetable Markets Are just North of Termini on Via Milazzo and Via Montebello. Campo de' Fiori The most popular, where colourful fruit and flowers are overlooked by the austere hooded statue of Giordano Bruno. Bus: 64-62. Via Bocca Leone The most sophisticated market, by the Spanish Steps Metro A: Piazza di Spagna. Trionfale Market If you are on your way to the Vatican Museums, this marcket in Via Andrea Doria is handy and cheap. Metro A: Ottaviano
Rome Markets / Mercato (Rome, Italy)
Full of character and real life, Rome's busy markets are an integral part of local life. They provide a great place to find bargains or just browse around the wide variety of stalls and enjoy the exciting atmosphere and local market banter. Rome's bustling markets range from the very large to the small, discreet collection of stalls, situated in small squares. They are held in many districts of the city and provide a fun way to shop, for both experienced and novice bargain hunters alike.
Campo dei Fiori - Piazza Campa de' Fiori, Rome
This very old Roman market sells a particularly wide range of goods, which includes flowers, fruit, vegetables, fish, pork products, many other food delicacies and possibly the best bread in the whole city. The prices are not cheap, but the quality is superb. Campo dei Fiori is an attractive, colourful market place and is also a popular spot for photographers, as it has so much character.
Open: Monday to Saturday - 06:00 to 14:00
Garage Sale - Rigattieri per hobby - Piazza della Marina, 32, Rome
This lively and fun secondhand market offers a stall to anyone wanting to sell their goods. There are experts on hand to advise on the quality of merchandise and appropriate pricing.
Open: Sunday, June - 10:00 to 19:00, July - 17:00 to 00:00
Il Giardino d'Inverno - Viale Romania, 32, Rome
The Il Giardino d'Inverno is a market that is specifically for amateurs and absolutely anyone can buy, sell or exchange their goods here.
Open: every 2nd and 4th Sunday, October to May - 10:00 to 19:00
Mercato Villaggio Olimpico - Viale della XVII Olimpiade (Flaminio), Rome
With many great bargains to be found and deals to be struck, goods on sale include clothing, jewellery, food and many household items.
Open: Friday - 08:00 to 13:30
Non Solo Tarli - Fiera di Roma, Via Cristoforo Colombo, 295, Rome
Held only twice a year, this vast antiques market attracts the most serious collectors from all over Italy. With such a variety of goods, including furniture, china, ornaments, paintings and jewellery on more than 200 stands, it is easy to see why people travel so far.
Open: 15:00 to 21:30 - Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 21:30 - Saturday and holidays
Piazza Fontanella Borghese - Rome, Italy
This outdoor market may be fairly small, but it is crammed full of interesting goods, such as prints, old books, Roman souvenirs and many other curious objects.
Piazza San Cosimato - Piazza San Cosimato (Trastevere), Rome
The Piazza San Cosimato food market has many stalls selling a variety of food, drink and also flowers, and some household items.
Open: 06:00 to 13:30, closed Sunday
Piazza Vittorio - Rome, Italy
Every morning literally thousands of people shop at this market. It is very large, full of bargains and has an exciting atmosphere.
Pontew Milvio Market - Rome, Italy
This is a wonderful part of Rome, with the River Tiber running nearby, crossed by a famous bridge which is steeped in history. The market is full of fascinating and inviting goods.
Porta Portese - Via di Porta Portese, Rome
This is Rome's biggest and most famous market, where you can find practically anything you can possibly need. Every Sunday morning the square fills up with crowds of people who browse the several acres of new and secondhand mechandise, all searching for a bargain.
Open: Sunday - 05:00 to 14:00
Via Sannio Market - Rome, Italy
Situated under the Aurelian walls, this market is the place to find a large selection of both new and secondhand clothes - and also some camping goods.
Villaggio Olimpico
This area was built to honour the 1960 Olympic Games and is home to an attractive, small market every Friday morning. Nearby, the new buildings are interesting and worth seeing.
Underground - Via Francesco Crispi, 96, Rome
The Underground is a large antiques and collectors' fair and the majority of the traders tend to be private individuals, driven by their particular interest and enthusiasm. This market takes in a big car park between Via Sistina and Via Veneto and there is a popular space for young collectors. There is also an information point for the many tourists who visit the market. At the Underground you will find everything you can imagine and more besides, to add to even the most unusual collection.
Open: Saturday - 15:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 10:30 to 19:30, closed during the summer