One of our favorite Sunday morning activities is to head over to Porta Portese, the largest “flea market” in Rome. Thank goodness it’s only open on Sundays. The vendors, thousands of them, start setting up early in the morning, and the market usually opens around 7 AM. Depending on the weather – and the crowds – most vendors are breaking down their stalls by 2 PM… which is an excellent time to “negotiate.“
You can find almost anything at Porta Portese. Sure, there are plenty of items “Made in China,” but if you search – and then dig – you can make some wonderful discoveries. Having lived in Madrid, the bargaining that goes on at El Rastro is impressive, but bartering with an Italian is an art form.
The market is located “about” from Piazza di Porta Portese to Piazza Ippolito Nievo. You can get to the Porta Portese market by catching multiple buses, including the #280 or #23. They both get you close to the main gate. You can also, from Largo Argentina, catch the #8 tram across the Tiber. It’s the fifth stop after you cross the river. Just get off the tram when everyone else does and you’ll enter the market from Viale di Trastevere .
- My wife – digging deep at a “1 for €3″ and “2 for €5″ bin!
If you’re bargain hunter this is THE place to come! Many of the stands sell generic dime-store goods or apparel. A few have “reconditioned” goods at rock bottom prices. There are also antiques, furniture, appliances, utensils, and every form of clothing – you name it!
Do be careful when shopping. Gypsies will approach you and use the “cardboard” trick to try and reach into your pockets. Other pickpockets also work the area. Be aware of your surroundings. I would not bring a large backpack into Porta Portese.
Porta Portese was featured in the in the 1947 movie by De Sica, “Bycicle Thief”, as the main character looks for his stolen bicycle. I would imagine that a “few” things in Porta Portese arrived here by dubious means.
We often go, wander for hours, and not buy anything. It’s a great way to spend a morning and mingle with the locals in a colorful environment. There are sometimes some very unique “finds.” The prices are cheaper than many of the “tourist” shops near monuments and sites.
Your experience at Porta Portese is what you make of it! There are places to eat or sit at a cafe’ and watch the bustle around you. Or you can “get into it,” like my wife, and dig through EVERY bin! Each week there are new vendors and “new” merchandise in the market. Now more tightly regulated than in previous years, it’s an interesting look at Roman life. If you’ve got a few hours on a Sunday morning, this can certainly be an Roman experience you will remember!
Shopping in Rome, my wife’s passion – She should probably write a book. Above our some great guides for shopping in Italy. Click on any to get more information – or go to our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for books and travel-related items at amazon.co.uk.
Shopping in Rome, my wife’s passion – She should probably write a book. Above our some great guides for shopping in Italy. Click on any to get more information – or go to our Travel Store, Magellan’s Travel Supplies, or look in amazon.com. Non-USA Guests can search for books and travel-related items at amazon.co.uk.
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