Shopping in Rome doesn’t have to be confined to Via Condotti and Via del Corso, so if you enjoy rummaging through trash and treasures, shopping for antiques and vintage items and haggling for the ultimate bargains, we have you covered with the best flea markets in Rome with quirky and unmissable stalls throughout the Italian capital.
Get ready to haggle and pick up some great discounts at these five Rome flea markets.
Porta Portese
Porta Portese is the most famous of Rome’s flea markets, seling absoultely everything from antiques, vintage clothes,knock-off designer gear, second hand items, books and much more.
It is the largest flea market in Rome as well as one of the oldest, situated in Romes’ Trastevere neighbood, operating every sunday from sunrise until mid afternoon, howeveryou should get here early if you want the best the best deals.
Where is Porta Portese? –Via Portuense (Trastevere)
Porta Pontense opening hours – Officially 6 am until 2pm on Sundays, although some vendors stay as late as 5.
Mercato Monti
Mercato Montiis probably the most unique of all the flea markets of Rome, and dare we say perhaps the coolest?
Located in the vibrant cool part of Rome, this weekend affair is the best place to get made in Italy style products. Compared to Porta Portese Mercato Monti is extremely well organized and far less eclectic, with the effort put into the storefronts attesting to that.
This is not the cheapest Roman flea market by a long shot, but still worth a visit and certainly has some hidden gems. One of the best things about this place is the late opening hours, meaning you do not have to get up at the crack of dawn to see what they have.
Via Leonina, 46
Mercado Monti opening hours –Saturday – Sunday 10am – 8pm
Mercato di Via Sannio
The polar opposite of Porta Portese,Mercato di Via Sanniois off the beaten path and open from Mondays to Saturdays. As flea markets of Rome go this is very much a no frills affair, mainly focusing on second-hand clothes. and accessories such as shoes, belts, as well as homemade artisan style jewelry. Much smaller than other Rome flea markets it is easy to navigate and makes for a pleasant stress-free few hours.
Where isMercato di Via Sannio?Via Sannio
Mercato di Via Sannioopening hours – Monday – Saturday 7.30 am – 2pm, although again some vendors will remain open a little later.
Borghetto Flaminio Flea Market
TheBorghetto Flaminiomarket is another weekend institution, opening only on Sundays. Unlike other flea markets in Rome there is a small entrance fee of between 1.50-20 Euro, but it is worth it and if nothing else seems to deter the pickpockets. Less busy than other venues, this place offer everything from second hand clothes to genuine antiques. This is also one of the best places in Rome to buy Vinyl for you collectors out there, particularly if you are looking for something obscure and Italian.
Another market that opens late, a firm plus in our books, with enough nearby dining options for an Italian lunch.
Location ofBorghetto Flaminio –Via Flaminia
Borghetto FlaminioFlea opening hours – Sundays 10 am to 7 pm
Mercato di Trionfale
For our last entry we’ve gone less down the flea market route, instead including the largest food market in Rome. This is the place to shop and eat like a native of Rome, as well as one of the favorite venues on our Taste of Trionfale tour.
This is the market not only for fresh cheeses, hams and cured meats, but also street food and wine. Many vendors will allow try before you buy and the street food options are some of the best in the capital.
See our post for a compete guide tostreet food in Rome.
And it is complemented by a number of rather nice wine bars if shopping does indeed take its toll on you. Open from morning to afternoon, the huge array of options make it a great place for lunch or dinner in Rome.
See our post for a guide tofood markets in Rome.
Location ofMercato di Trionfale-Via Andrea Doria
Mercato di Trionafale opening hours – Monday – Saturday from 7 am to 3.30 pm sharp!
And those are the top 5 flea markets in Rome Italy, in our humble opinion.
Top tips for visiting flea markets in Rome, Italy
Bring cash
Some of vendors selling high end stuff might accept card, or digital payments, but you will predominantly be looking at vintage and second-hand bargains sold by the common folk. Cash is king at the Roman flea markets.
Be wary of pickpockets
Rome like any major city has its fair share of pickpockets. Flea markets tend to be bustling with people, so prime spots for this kind of behavior. Use a money belt, or the like.
You can bargain
Remember you are at a flea market, not a supermarket, vendors are up for negotiation, particularly if you want to purchase more than one thing. Don’t be shy, when in Rome and all that.
Flea markets of Rome, street food and people people watching
By very definition open air markets, flea markets and the like tend to go well with street food. Most of the flea markets open early and at the weekends. Come early, grab some Rome streets eats and a cappuccino and do some people watching. You might even learn some haggling tips.
To discover more on Rome, visit our Rome Travel Guide.
For a complete insight into Italian cuisine in the Eternal City, join us on one of ourRome Food Tours.
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