Living in Rome can be expensive – real expensive. Thank goodness for the bancarelle (“stalls”). The bancarelle offer a huge variety of goods – from kitchen supplies to winter coats to electronics to man’s ties! Your shopping options are endless. And because the vendors rotate their locations daily, you get different stalls in your neighborhood each day.
You can find the “same” clothes at a banacarella for far less than at that fancy shop on Via dei Corso. We’ve purchased GEOX shoes ay a bancarella for less than half the price of the GEOX store down the street.
The bancarelle allow the average Italian a more economical option.
The prices allow locals to shop OFTEN… and that’s necessary because “looking good” is important! Staying “in season” can be a challenge on a limited budget. The bancarelle probably offer the best “buys” in Rome.
Most of the bancarelle are located near metro stops, or on major street corners in parts of town that many tourists do not get to. You won’t see them by the Pantheon or the Colosseo, but head off into the many neighborhoods that encircle centro Rome and they are quite prevalent.
We’re fortunate to live near the Ottaviano and Cipro metro station… so we have many, many options. Often, my wife will get off the metro at the Ottaviano stop so we HAVE to walk by the bancarelle on our way home. Prices range from 50 cents to 50 euro… but most items are under €10. If you purchase more than one item, you can often “bargain” for a lower price on the second or third. I tend to avoid the one-euro clothing tables. You really have to dig through these. And saying that, when shopping at a bancarella it sometimes pays to be a little assertive! It can often get VERY crowded.
Don’t confuse the bancarelle with the guys whose goods are laid out on the street, or are standing holding a collection of “Prada” purses. The bancarelle are regulated by the City of Rome and are legal. If you buy from guy with goods laid out on a sheet, you could be fined…. not the case at a bancarelle.
So when in Rome, do as the Romans do – head for your nearest bancarelle… dig in and save!
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