Markets of Rome!

Whether it’s over a painting in Piazza Navona, or boots at Porta Portese….you’ll have the chance to exercise your bargaining skills…here’s a little breakdown of some main markets of Rome!

Porta Portese, Via Portuense (Trastevere) every Sunday 8am-2pm:

Ever seen the 1971 film classic “Bedknobs & Broomsticks”?  Remember the famous market they do a song and dance in called “Portabello Road” (see the youtube video for a reminder)?   “You’ll find what you want in the Portobello road.”  Its Roman equivalent is the markets at Porta Portese…where there’s a little bit of everything…antiques, shoes, fabric, furniture, cds, camera, bikes, etc.

Campo de’ Fiori, Campo de’ Fiori (city center), everyday from 8am-1pm: This is Rome’s famous market for flowers and food.  There’s a huge selection of fruits, veggies, and also a stand that sells spices, my personal favourite….careful if you buy a bag of anything spicy (like their spice mix for making the typical “arrabbiata” sauce), as they’re serious!

Piazza Navona, Piazza Navona (city center), daily from morning to evening:  Most days of the year Piazza Navona is filled with artists and performace artists.  Artists selling oil and water color paintings of Italian cityscape and landscapes, hand-drawn caricatures of famous faces (or of you and your friends, if you ask), etc.  Performace artists having mini impromptu shows, ranging from magic acts to juggling.  Musicians playing pretty much anything you can imagine, echoing off of the surrounding buildings.  Extra fun is during the month of December when they set up a Christmas fair, complete with a carousel, hand-made ornaments, games to win over-sized stuffed animals, and candy candy candy!

San Giovanni, Via Sannio (San Giovanni, just by the Metro Line A stop), Monday-Saturday 8am-2pm: This market is much like the market in Porta Portese, but smaller and has some better quality things, such as leather goods (purses, coats, etc), camping/military equipment, new and used clothes, etc.  Conveniently, it’s open all the other days of the week that Porta Portese isn’t!

Mercato Esquillino (Piazza Vittorio), daily from 8am-2pm: This is the biggest food market in Rome, located indoors just by Piazza Vittorio.  The produce and seafood are abundant…and cheeeeeeeap!  Also, has some foods and spices which are hard to find here such as exotic fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices from Asia and Africa: Indian curries, coriander, turmeric, Chinese cabbages, etc.  Plus, these folks are always happy to make a deal, no super-bartering skills required.

Micca Market, at “Micca Club” Via Pietro Micca 7a (near Piazza Vittorio and Porta Maggiore), Sundays starting at 6pm: Micca Club is an ultra swanky 60′s club, that is so meticulously put together it’s more a living breathing piece of art than just a “club”.  Every Sunday it has a market plus gourmet aperitivo, starting at 6.  Here you’ll find all things vintage: clothing, vinyl, cds, furniture, etc.  Go-go boots, suede, and paisley patterns aren’t mandatory but very appropriate.

Trastevere, Santa Maria in Trastevere area, daily from the morning till the evening: These narrow and winding streets, characteristic of this area of  Trastevere  near the Church Santa Maria in Trastevere, are generally full of people selling jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets), handmade clothing (scarves, hats, gloves), and little odds’n'ends like retro ashtrays.