The Rome Market Guide – Roma, città dei mercati!

A trip to the local market can be one of the best Roman experiences for visitors and tourists. Local markets are one of the greatest ways to connect to the local culture and observe and experience the everyday life of local residents. But it’s important that you join in the action – not just walk around and observe. Talk to the vendors, ask for the names of those fruits and vegetables you’ve never seen before. Buy some local artichokes and compliment the vendor on his produce! Get to know the city AND its people!

Rome’s green markets really are a food lover’s paradise. Local produce abound and is not only a treat to your eyes and nose but your taste buds will also be able to tell the difference. Everything is at its freshest in the Roman markets, particularly if you visit during the summer months! A huge variety of locally grown vegetables and fruits topped with some of the finest freshly caught fish and some just made mozzarella or pecorino cheese. It hardly gets better anywhere else in the world.

And you don’t even have to look far to find a market in Rome. Every city district (or rioni) has at least one market (called mercati rionali) and these are usually the main social centers of the district. Stories start and spread in the markets and gossip spreads like wildfire here. Most of the locals and vendors know each other and there’s always some chit-chat going on. Many tourists also visit the markets, especially the centrally located ones, but this somehow does not take away too much of the friendly and neighborly atmosphere that’s been around for centuries. Rome somehow always manages to preserve that unique atmosphere at its markets, no matter how many times the markets get relocated, rebuilt or flooded by tourists.

The same is true for the other markets in town, like the several flea markets or the ones that specialize in collectables or antique goods. The neighborly atmosphere with a lot of chit-chat, gossip, haggling and laughing is also present at these more specific, smaller and occasionally held markets throughout the city.

There are definitely too many markets in Rome to mention them all here, but here’s a selection of some of the best green/farmers’ markets and also a few flea and specialized markets in town with details on their location and suggestions on how to get there. Depending on where in Rome you stay – ask around about your mercati rionali for quick and easy access to the freshest and cheapest produce, but do check out some of the bigger and nicer (all-time favorite) markets listed below too.

Campo dei Fiori

• One of the oldest, best-known and most crowded markets in Rome.  Specializes in: Fresh produce, fish and meats, food.
• Location: Piazza Campo de’ Fiori.
• How to get there: stop Corso Vittorio Emanuele: Bus no. 30, 40, 62, 64, 70, 87, 116, 492, 571, or 628
• Opening times: Monday – Saturday 7 am – 1:30 pm.

Campagna Amica Market

• An indoor food market with great local produce, olive oils, pasta and much more. Specializes in: Fresh local produce, fish and meats, olive oil, pasta and other food.
• Location: Via San Teodoro 74
• How to get there: stop Circo Massimo: Metro B. ; or any bus to Bocca della Verità.
• Opening times: Saturday 9 am. – 6 pm and Sundays 9am – 4 pm.

Nuevo Mercato dell’Esquilino (former Piazza Vittorio Market)

• A truly global market offering all sorts of fruits and vegetables, meats and spices from all corners of the world. Specializes in: Food and spices from different parts of the world.
• Location: Via Principe Amedeo, 184
• How to get there: stop Termini: Metro A and B.
• Opening times: Monday – Saturday 7 am – 2 pm.

Porta Portese 

• Rome’s largest, busiest, and most raucous flea market. Specializes in: Second hand goods.
• Location: Off Viale di Trastevere
• How to get there: stop Trastevere- Pascarella: Tram nr. 8 or Bus nr. 3B, H, 170, 719, 780 and 781.
• Opening times: Sundays 7am – 2 pm.

Piazza San Cosimato Market

• Another market in Trastevere, small but charming and popular food market. Specializes in: Produce, Fish and Meat, Food.
• Location: Piazza San Cosimato
• How to get there: stop Piazza San Cosimato-Santini: Bus nr.125. or stop Travestere-Mastai: Tram nr. 8 or Bus nr. 121, 780
• Opening times: Monday – Saturday 6 am – 2 pm.

Garbatella Farmers’ Market 

• Recently reopened at a new location, the farmers’ market got new space to grow. Specializes in: Local produce and meats.
• Location: Via Francesco Passino
• How to get there: stop Garbatella: Metro B.
• Opening times: Saturday 8:30 am. – 6 pm and Sundays 8:30am – 2:30 pm.

Città dell’Altra Economia & BioMercato

• A unique space that incorporates exhibition spaces, restaurants, an outdoor farmers’ market and much more. Specializes in: Local and organic produce, cheeses and cured meats.
• Location: Largo Dino Frisullo, Testaccio
• How to get there: stop Piramide: Metro B; or stop Via Marmorata: Tram 3, bus 23, 75, 280.
• Opening times: Saturday and Sunday 9 am – sunset

Underground

• A bustling flea market held in a four-storey car park. Specializes in: Second hand clothes, accessories, art and various other goods and collectables.
• Location: Via Francesco Crispi 96 Ludovisi underground car park
• How to get there: stop Plaça del Mar: Bus 17, 39, 64.
• Opening times: September to June, second weekend of the month: Saturday 3 pm – 8 pm and Sunday 10:30 am – 7:30 pm.

Mercato delle Stampe

• A haven for lovers of old prints and collectables. Specializes in: Old prints, books, magazines and various printed ephemera.
• Location: Largo della Fontanella di Borghese
• How to get there: stop Via di Ripetta: Bus 70, 81, 87, 186, 492, 628, C3 or stop Tomacelli: Bus 81, 119, 590, 628
• Opening times: Monday – Saturday 7 am – 1 pm.