The city of Rome is, thanks to its monuments, history and art, filled with beauty at every corner. When you visit the Eternal City for the first time, it’s important to go to the most beloved tourist attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and many more but, if you are looking for less touristy stuff to do in Rome, we’ve got something to suggest! If you enjoy flea markets, you definitely can’t miss out on going to the Porta Portese Market.
If you’re considering going to the Porta Portese Flea Market in Rome, here are some tips and tricks!
The history and significance of the Porta Portese Market
Located in the Trastevere district, the Porta Portese Market gets its name from an ancient access to the city of Rome called “Porta Portuensis”, built in the middle of the walls built by Emperor August, the Aurelian walls. This place was first used as a marketplace after World War II, when it was needed to exchange and sell food and basic needs, with stands set through the entire Via Portuense and the streets surrounding it. Nowadays, the market is one of the most beloved aspects of the city of Rome by locals looking for unique pieces of clothing, house decorations and even food.
Tips and tricks for visiting the Porta Portese Flea Market
If you’re thinking of going to this flea market keep in mind that the Porta Portese Flea Market is only held on Sundays, from 6 AM to 2 PM. We highly suggest getting there as early as you can, preferably before 9 AM to get the best deals before the place gets too crowded, which is usually at around 10 AM.
What to find at the Porta Portese Market
The Porta Portese flea market is filled with unique pieces to find and get. Its endless stands offer pretty much everything, starting with clothes and shoes and ending with kitchenware, types of vinyl and books.
One of the most interesting aspects of this flea market is that you can find amazing items at very low prices. Some stands sell pants at only 2€ each! Not every item is in good condition though, so be careful and search for stains or holes before buying something because you probably won’t be able to return it!
Another amazing thing about this market is its vinyl stands. You will be able to find vintage vinyl records that sometimes are no longer sold in record stores for very cheap prices. If you love great but cheap books, there are also a lot of stands that sell every kind of book, such as classics, guides, history books and many more.
What to eat at the Porta Portese Flea Market
The Porta Portese flea market is surrounded by bistros and restaurants but, if you want to get something to go so that you can still walk through the market, there are also a lot of stands that sell food such as pizza, hot dogs, panini with porchetta romana and even arrosticini!
Conclusion
If you happen to be in Rome on a Sunday, visiting the Porta Portese flea market will definitely make for a good experience. Make sure to get there in time to avoid busy crowds and be mindful of pickpockets!
If you want to get to know more about the city of Rome, make sure to check out our other blogs.
