Love me a market! If you are a fan of markets, Rome won’t disappoint: you will find many to browse, selling anything from food to antiques, from flowers to vintage clothes. But which markets in Rome are truly worth visiting, and what’s their story?
Continue reading this post as I tell you everything you should know about the best Rome markets, and share some practical information – just in case you decide to visit.
For a guided tour of the most famous markets in Rome, click here.
Table of Contents
The Nicest Markets In Rome
Borghetto Flaminio Market
Around a 10-minute walk from Piazza del Popolo, the Borghetto Flaminio Market is the perfect market for finding fashion and antiques. This flea market is held on Sundays in a bus depot yard, but don’t let the location put you off. It’s possible to pick up some luxury designer clothing, vintage garments and jewelry, as well as antiques. This is where the wardrobes of Rome’s wealthy citizens end up.
The market itself was the idea of two friends who wanted to launch Rome’s first vintage market. They were inspired by American garage sales, and that shows in the casual, lively atmosphere experienced here – very local and stuffed full of curios.
Open on Sundays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Nuovo Mercato Esquilino
Nuovo Mercato Esquilino is a colorful, multicultural marketplace packed full of fragrance, sights, and sounds that have been thriving for over a century. Located close to Termini, this market is the place to come for an array of international produce.
From Chinese to Bengali and Senegalese, the vendors here sell a rich selection of vegetables, spices, fruits and grains. Even if you’re not here to buy anything, simply soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the market itself is fantastic for anyone looking for a taste of Rome away from ancient ruins.
Open Monday to Thursday from 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Mercato di Campagna Amica
Also known as Circus Massimo Farmers’ Market, this is Rome’s largest farmers’ market. Local farmers from (mainly) the Lazio region bring in their fresh produce every weekend, creating a marketplace that’s rich with local flavors. It’s based on the “zero kilometer” philosophy, meaning all the products sold at the market are grown within 100 kilometers.
As a result, it’s an amazing place to pick up a mouthwatering selection of cheeses, oils, wine and conserves. And, if you’re hungry, some lunch for a picnic. It’s situated around a three-minute walk from the Mouth of Truth.
Open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Mercato Trionfale
First setting up shop in the late 1800s, the Mercato Trionfale remains one of the largest public markets in Rome. This hub of commerce may not seem like much from the outside, but once you step foot inside the covered walkways, a world of wonder unfolds.
With color-coded organization for different merchandise (e.g. green for fruit, blue for fish), it’s relatively easy to navigate around the 200 plus market stalls here, some of which have been in business for generations. You can even pick up clothes, children’s toys and other oddities at Mercato Trionfale, and you’ll find it just outside the Vatican City.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Market of Campo de’ Fiori
Meaning “field of flowers”, the market at the centre of Campo de’ Fiori has been going strong every morning (except Sundays) since 1869. Once quite literally a field of flowers, this area urbanized in 1858 and the market from nearby Piazza Navona moved in.
It’s easily one of the most well- loved markets in Rome. Not only is it a working market – think fruit and vegetables – but at night, as the sun sets, Campo de’ Fiori becomes a meeting place, with terrasse seating at cafes and bars spilling out into the square.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm.
Make sure to also read my post A Quick Guide To Campo De’ Fiori.
Mercato Monti
Situated in Monti, as the name suggests, this market is held every weekend from 10:00 to 20:00 and is the place to head if you’re a vintage enthusiast. It’s also possible to find products from independent designers and local brands, too.
You’ll find locals browsing here, looking for under-the-radar finds and fashionable items. Though not huge, nor old – it’s only been going since 2009 – you can really discover some unique artisanal products on sale at Mercato Monti. And it’s all just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
La Soffitta Sotto I Portici Market
Sandwiched between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, La Soffitta Sotto I Portici Market is another of Rome’s many flea markets. The name translates as “the attic under the arcades”. And true to this, the market is nestled within the towering colonnades of the Piazza Augusto Imperatore.
Browsing here means sifting through second-hand jewelry, leafing through well-worn books, and picking through paintings, pottery, and other curios. The market takes place on the first and third Sundays of every month. It’s an interesting spot to stay a while and dig for hidden gems among the many stalls.
Open on the first and third Sunday of every month.
Fontanella Borghese Market
If you’re looking for a particularly intriguing market in Rome, then you may want to make a beeline for Fontanella Borghese Market. Don’t come here expecting a sprawling marketplace. In fact, this place only has two dozen or so stalls.
But what lacks in size, it makes up for in the specialist wares on sale. Here is the place to come for books, paintings, photographs, posters, and magazines – hence its other alias, Mercato delle Stampe (“stampe” meaning anything printed).
Located in the Piazza Fontanella Borghese, just a 10-minute stroll from the Trevi Fountain, the market has been in operation since 1947 and is open every day except Sunday. Shoppers here are a combination of locals browsing for that perfect find and curious tourists.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Ex Mattatoio Market
The location of this market in a former slaughterhouse (once the largest in Europe) may not seem so palatable, but don’t let that put you off. The building itself is unexpectedly attractive, and since the slaughterhouse moved elsewhere, it was repurposed as a modern marketplace.
Open at weekends, this organically minded market (officially the BioMercato alla Città dell’Altra Economia) sells local produce that’s farmed without the use of pesticides and with low environmental impact, a reflection of the hipster-friendly Testaccio district. It’s also an artisan market, in case you are looking for a fun present.
There’s also an organic “biobar” and “biorestaurant” on site, plus, there are regular exhibitions and cultural events promoting fair trade, renewable energy, and recycling.
Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Mercato di Testaccio
Not far from the Ex Mattatoio Market, you’ll find the modern marvel that is the Mercato di Testaccio. But it wasn’t always in this exact spot, and it waited for many years to find a new home.
It finally opened its doors in the summer of 2012 and breathed new life into the market. The newly built market is a clean, bright, and bustling spot, packed full of Italian and international food vendors, clothes stalls, book stores, and other delights. There are even places to sit down and enjoy the lively atmosphere with a snack or glass of wine.
Popular with families and couples, the Mercato di Testaccio is open Monday to Saturday. On weekends you may be treated to the sound of live music as you shop for delicious snacks at one of the 100 plus stalls here. It’s also the surprising home to an archaeological site, which can be toured at certain times of the year.
Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Check out this guided tour of Testaccio Market.
Piazza San Cosimato Market
Perfect for a sunny day in Rome, the Mercato di Piazza San Cosimato is an open-air space that occupies the piazza of the same name in the trendy Trastevere neighborhood. It’s an attractive market that takes place every day except for Sunday, and it has been doing so since the early 20th century.
Surrounded by grand buildings and overlooked by the 10th-century church of San Cosimato, this place feels like a classic scene being played out – the kind of market in Rome that feels timeless. Shop here for fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, and bright bunches of flowers. There’s also a selection of other stalls selling used books and other knick-knacks. The park neighboring the market where children happily play really boosts the atmosphere.
Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 1:30 pm.
For a guided tour of Piazza San Cosimato market, click here.
Savoia Market
Savoia Market doesn’t win any points for prettiness, especially not from the outside. And needless to say, you’re not going to find many tourists exploring here. That’s probably because it’s not very central, but instead situated in the lively suburb of Trieste.
But this is an authentic spot where city dwellers from the local neighborhood come to shop. Opening up in the 1970s, the covered market is home to an array of stalls, with vendors selling fruit and vegetables, as well as baked goods, cakes, clothes and houseware. There’s even a local coffee shop if you’re running low on energy.
Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Mercato di Porta Portese
Starting life back in 1945, the Mercato di Porta Portese is still very much alive today. It’s one of the most famous markets in Rome, and has actually been seen in various films, including the 1948 Vittorio De Sica classic Bicycle Thieves.
The Mercato di Porta Portese originally sprang up as a black market in Rome’s postwar era, but has since become one of the best known Sunday markets in the country. Situated in Trastevere – and taking place between 6:30 and 14:00 – there are all manner of goods on sale among its 600 plus stalls. These include watches, toys, furniture, fabrics, vintage clothing, vinyls – the list is virtually endless.
It’s an exciting place, but also one that’s notorious for pickpockets and swindlers, so pay attention to your surroundings!
Open on Sundays from 6:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Piazza dell’Unità Market
Situated in the wealthy district of Prati, a stone’s throw from the Vatican, this Neoclassical wonder was built in 1928 to re-house the pre-existing street market. This attractive market may have shrunk in size since its heyday, but its vendors sell a wealth of fresh produce and delicious snacks.
The service and quality of produce at the Piazza dell’Unità Market is always impeccable, with friendly families running the generations-old stalls. Come here to experience a slice of Rome’s modern past, and pick up some pre-made snacks for picnics and to fuel your city wanderings.
Open Mondays to Saturdays from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Nomentano Market
The Nomentano Market was established in 1926 and remains a popular spot for grocery shopping in the city. It’s situated in a beautiful brick building in Piazza Alessandria, greatly adding to its visitability. But it’s the atmosphere of the market itself that is also interesting for tourists.
Shopping among its decades-old stalls, you’ll find a broad spectrum of Roman locals, from housewives to hipsters, and lawyers to foodies. Wandering around this metropolitan market is good for a break from the bustle of Rome’s busy streets. Pick up some fresh bread, maybe even some new clothes, and then head out to explore more of the Italian capital.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Gianicolense Market
Boasting 125 stalls, Gianicolense Market is one of the largest open-air markets in Rome. You’ll find it situated in Piazza San Giovanni di Dio, in Monteverde, a district southwest of Trastevere. Though it’s been earmarked for modernization for many years, this has met with opposition from locals and stallholders, who believe the open-air market should be preserved.
This interesting market comes alive from Monday to Saturday, with traditional stalls run by lively characters, selling an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese, bread, fish, and meat. You can even find vendors selling jewelry, clothes, and shoes here too.
Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Pinciano Market
This is another one of Rome’s best markets that’s long fought against modernization. But it’s already been updated once, with a long pre-war history as a street market, Pinciano Market is now a covered space that dates back to 1957. Here you can find stalls that have passed from generation to generation.
It’s not a tourist market at all, and as a result it makes for an authentic and interesting place to spend a while browsing the stalls. With all the fresh produce and food being sold, you may find yourself being hungry enough to be tempted to buy a few bites to eat.
Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Piazza Mazzini Christmas Market
Though playing host to a “regular” market throughout the year, come Christmas the Prati neighborhood’s Piazza Mazzini goes into overdrive. The holiday season sees the square is adorned with strings of lights, Christmas decorations, and other seasonal ornaments. This is one of the nicest Christmas markets in Europe, right in the center of Rome!
The piazza’s regular market takes place twice a month, but the Christmas market opens on December 1 and runs all the way until Christmas Eve. This market has everything you could need for Christmas, from decorations to antique (and modern) gifts, all the way to tasty treats, across its 50 or more stalls. The perfect place to drop in if you’re in Rome in December.
The Christmas Market opens on December 1 and runs every day from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm until Christmas Eve.
Further Readings
Make sure to check out my other posts:
- Where To Go Shopping In Rome
- The Most Famous Landmarks In Rome
- Where To See The Lovely Cats Of Rome
- The Most Beautiful Squares In Rome
- The Nicest Monumental Fountains In Rome
- The Seven Hills Of Rome
- The Most Interesting Facts About Rome
- The Best Virtual Tours Of Rome
- The Nicest Neighborhoods In Rome
- The Best Hidden Gems In Rome
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