To see the everyday life of the Romans and feel the flavor of the Eternal City "to the fullest", it is worth going to one of the city markets. Whether it's a flea or a food market, there are many markets in Rome. Today BlogoItaliano has selected for you the 5 most remarkable markets of Rome, which you should definitely visit to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Eternal City, and at the same time bring home a visual or delicious reminder of the trip.
Helpful advice: When planning a trip to Rome, set yourself a mobile audio guide in the city center for the iPhone link. And although there are no markets in it, it will help to make a fascinating audio tour of historical sites.
In total, 60 objects are presented on the map of the audio guide as part of a single walking route. All of them are plotted on the built-in card, and audio stories work even without the Internet. The first 5 points of the route are available for free, and the full version of the application will cost only a few euros - much cheaper than even the most budget excursions.
MercatoMonti
MercatoMonti is not quite a market in the usual sense of the word: it is located in the garage of the Palatino hotel and is rather a kind of collaboration of local craftsmen. Its main concept is to gather talented people who are passionate about art and fashion under one roof. Thanks to its creator, Ornella Cicchetti, many promising designers have entered the world.
The market area is quite modest, however, despite this, here you can find a lot of interesting things. Fans of non-trivial and unique things will definitely like it, because much of what is on the shelves has no analogues. The main assortment: jewelry, home decoration, clothing and accessories, and all this is absolutely handmade. 100% authentic, no China.
Much of what is on the shelves of MercatoMonti has no analogues
Original necklaces, rings, glasses, handbags, purses, unusual dresses, designer lamps, interior sculptures - and this is only a small percentage of what energetic guys who exhibit their work on the shelves can boast of.
Among other things, factory clothes are also sold, sometimes good things from famous brands come across at a very attractive price. There are some vintage things and objects, but there are not so many.
Address: Via Leonina, 46, Grand Hotel Palatino
Schedule: from September to June every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00
Mercato delle Stampe printing market
Even without knowledge of Italian, it’s easy to guess what they are trading in this market in Rome - they sell everything related to the printing industry and paper. Connoisseurs of literature and book affairs are sure to find something remarkable for their collection.
As regards books, these are mainly second-hand publications of various years. If you are lucky, you can grab a volume of the XIX century. And, perhaps, older. Who knows, what if some rarity is met? Here it is quite real.
On the Mercato delle Stampe you can find rare editions
Those who are fond of culture are also advised to look here - to plunge into an abundance of beautiful books about art, architecture, and painting. Of course, it will be much more interesting and easier with knowledge of Italian. But even without it it is quite possible to do, because the choice of good illustrated publications here is also great.
The books assortment of the market is not limited. There are also stamps, vintage posters and posters, engravings depicting Roman landscapes, newspapers and magazines, maps, lithographs of famous paintings and even musical scores.
Address: Largo della Fontanella di Borghese, next to Piazza Borghese
Schedule: Monday-Saturday from 7: 00-13: 00
Mercato Testaccio Food Market
Rome's indoor food market in the Testaccio area is not very popular with tourists, which is why it got into the overview. Where else can you feel the atmosphere of the city, if not in the local market? And Mercato Testaccio is the most traditional market with jokey sellers, loud emotional conversations and the freshest products.
Here, guests are not spoiled by visitors, this is a place for their own people, and therefore prices are fair, unlike tourist areas. If you want to plunge into the life of real Rome, then you should definitely visit the Testaccio market.
Mercato Testaccio prices are much lower than in tourist areas
What is there just: juicy sweet fruits and berries, vegetables, herbs, dozens of types of cheeses and deli meats, seafood, hot pastries and much, much more. There are also food stalls where you can have a very tasty and inexpensive meal or even dine. Well, and, of course, where without wine? Do not forget to choose a bottle of wine for dinner at one of the enotec.
However, products are not the only things the market offers. In addition to them, there are rows with clothes, shoes, jewelry and shops of designer souvenirs and household goods. Once a month, an “Open Day” is held here: on this day music plays, the central bar turns into a dance floor, the stalls become a place for an aperitif, and the DJ set completes this extravaganza. On open day, the market runs until midnight.
Address: within the borders of Alessandro Volta, Beniamino Franklin, Zabaglia and Galvani. Entrance is on each side.
Schedule: Monday-Saturday from 6:00 to 14:00
Porta Portese Flea Market
Porta Portese is one of the largest and most famous flea markets in Rome, and at least deserves a separate mention for it. And also, of course, for the unique flavor: this is where the atmosphere of traditional Italy really reigns. Many Romans come here on Sundays, not so much for shopping as for just walking and chatting.
The market is very large: it stretched along the streets for several kilometers, divided into two branches. At one of them, which is closer to the Pyramid metro station, new and used items are sold: mainly clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories. Prices are simply ridiculous, but Italian origin is often controversial. Although, of course, really high-quality things are also found, but their cost is already higher.
At Porta Portese you can easily grab leather shoes for 18-20 euros or a jacket for 15. In addition, there are counters where they sell last year’s collections of famous luxury brands at prices several times lower than in stores.
Porta Portese - one of the most famous flea markets in Rome
Among the mountains of clothes, souvenir shops were also cluttered. They don’t have any original items, but the prices are much nicer than on the tourist streets, and the goods are the same. It is especially important when gifts from a trip need to be purchased for a whole crowd of friends and relatives.
The second branch of the market is a very famous and favorite place among antique hunters. Not to say that here are all rare things, but you can find something old.
One gets the impression that he was in some kind of chaos: porcelain dishes are adjacent to old furniture, clothes from grandmother's chests and kitchen utensils of various calibers ... and also books, watches, paintings, sculptures, CDs and records, jewelry ... The list goes on long.
If you decide to visit this market of Rome, give it the whole first half of the day. To find really interesting things, you need to spend a lot of time. In general, it is better not to have any illusions on this score, because such markets are always a lottery. Think of this walk as exploring another city attraction.
Finally, a couple of tips. Always bargain. If appropriate, of course. It is clear that from 1-2 euros there is nothing to throw off. Shopaholics with experience say that the price used to be halved. Second tip - take care of bags and wallets. Locals often warn that pickpockets walk around the market. However, these are just precautions relevant to any crowded place.
Address: Via Via Portuense from Via Ettore Rolli to the Porta Portese Arch, as well as Via Ippolito Nievo, Via Napoleone Parboni and Via Bargoni Angelo
Schedule: Sunday from 6:00 to 14:00, some sellers can work until 17:00
Mercato Trionfale Food Market
The largest market in Rome and one of the largest in Europe. Its history goes back more than one hundred years. Today, comfortable shopping conditions have been created here: shopping malls are covered and there is an underground parking. There is a market not far from the Vatican, so you can often find nuns buying fresh products for a meal.
This is a real gastronomic paradise for tourists: the freshest farm fruits and vegetables - both familiar and exotic, mushrooms, meat, fish, cheeses, dairy products, honey, dried fruits and nuts, dozens of types of cereals and pastas, olive oil, wine. From such abundance, my eyes just run up.
Meanwhile, there are about 300 counters in the market. And by the way, many here are traders in the 2nd and even 3rd generation, having received a place by inheritance. Some sellers are already over 80, although you won’t believe it right away.
Mercato Trionfale - a true gastronomic paradise for tourists
Be sure to go to the Trionfale market if you want to take meat delicacies and cheeses with you. They are of excellent quality and are inexpensive (like everything else). Jamon, sausages, smoked meats - all in abundance. And about the various varieties of local cheeses and say nothing. At your request, the purchases will be placed in a vacuum package (just say "sottovuoto"), and you can take everything to their native land without any problems.
To better navigate the area, pay attention to the color of the counter. Green ones are vegetables, fruits and greens, red ones are meat departments, blue ones are fish ones. In addition to the edible, there are rows with clothes, shoes, home textiles, gifts, children's goods, etc.
Address: Via la Goletta, 1
Schedule: Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 14:00 (Tuesdays and Fridays to 19:00)
