My 18 Favourite Markets in Rome (From the Center to the Suburbs)

Rome is home to more of 120 colorful markets spread out around the city. From the well-known in the center to the hidden ones in the suburbs, they never cease to amaze. Food of any kind (cheese, meat, produce, fish and regional specialties), homeware, clothes, secondhand trinkets are the protagonists of this magical and noisy places. Going to a market in Rome is like going to your family for a Sunday lunch: it smells amazing, it’s colorful, loud and the happiness all around is brought by so many eye-catching elements and you just feel overwhelmed by the many good vibes it exudes. For me il mercato is the perfect setting for a better understanding of the people and their culture, traditions and habits. It’s more than fruit and vegetables and low prices, it’s about authenticity. That’s why I felt the need of diving deep into them, especially by focussing on my absolute favorites since I was a kid. I went on a journey, took lots of photos, enjoyed the many eye catching details and collected my favorite 18, from the center to the lesser-known neighborhoods for the first part of a proper Roman mercato adventure. Let’s go!

Mercato Rionale del Pigneto (Pigneto)

A vegetable and fruit stand in Mercato del Pigneto

Pigneto is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome, home to my high school and to the many fun nights out. Its bursting essence is what a young, rustic and colorful Rome is all about. While showing a modern and edgy side of the eternal city it also hosts a tiny, elongated and interesting mercato that takes place in the Isola Pedonale where people can walk freely and have a coffee when shopping with the many bars along the way. (Via del Pigneto – Open from 6 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato San Cosimato (Trastevere)

Trastevere, undeniably one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city (with lots of cats roaming around), offers a slice of local authenticity thanks to its genuine mercato where you can buy fresh ingredients (fruit, vegetables, fish, meat) and even try delicious bites on the spot. Here you breathe the real essence of Rome while pleasuring your hearing to the best Roman dialect you can listen to. (Piazza di San Cosimato, 64 – Open from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM).

Mercato Metronio (San Giovanni)

The curious architectural entrance of Mercato Metronio

San Giovanni is a mixture of a Rome that embraces suburbs and center features, which for me is the perfect combo. This mercato is an historical and architectural point of interest that offers a true sight on local lifestyle plus the freshest produce combined with regional products. Its location is right next to the Coin, a high end chain of malls worth a visit too for a fancy session of shopping. (Via Magnagrecia, 50 – Open from 6 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato Rionale Monti (Monti)

The scenic entrance of the market. Above, the historical crest of Monti neighborhood

Monti, the freshest and charming neighborhood right next to the Colosseum, offers the vibe of a small town within the city with its appealing alleys exuding a sense of “stuck in time” and hosts an authentic local market which is a little treasure to discover: vegetables, fruit, cheese, meat and an interesting country wide selection of products. Plus its entrance is a real jewel. (Via Baccina, 36 – Open from 7 AM to 3 PM).

Mercato Tor Pignattara (Tor Pignattara)

Via Lodovico Pavoni with its clothes and homeware stands. In the background the biggest mural of Rome “Coffee Break” by Etam Cru

Tor Pignattara is a neighborhood full of surprises, from street art to food. Its multicultural scene and the presence of many international shops give to this area a multifaceted brilliance that absolutely deserved to be acknowledged. The mini mercato in Via Lodovico Pavoni is home to clothes and house textile products while the produce and food of the mercato coperto can be found in Via Francesco Laparelli. (Via Lodovico Pavoni 171D / Via Francesco Laparelli – Open from 6 AM to 2 PM)

Mercato di San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo)

Daily life scene in Largo degli Osci, right outside the entrance of the market

Street art, stunning architecture and a lot of history showing off, San Lorenzo is a little local treasure that offers a pretty view on how the Romans do it. The mercato in the main piazza is a stunning example of a mercato rionale with fresh food and immediately outside a few stands with secondhand clothes and trinkets of every kind that make the perfect curious supplement. (Largo degli Osci – Open from 7:30 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato Esquilino (Esquilino)

One of the stands inside the Mercato Esquilino

Food lovers from all over the world will love this loudly extravagant gold mine of produce that can’t be find easily around the city. The energetic vibe you’ll experience allows this mercato to be one of a kind. A precious place for a discovery that includes not only Italian culture but a worldwide one. It’s divided in two buildings: one for food and one for fabric. Absolutely a must see if in the area! (Via Principe Amedeo – Open from 5 AM to 3 PM)

Mercato di Via Sannio (San Giovanni)

What a trip down memory lane this mercato! Visited by lots of students during the midst of the 2000s (including myself) thanks to its music band’ t-shirts and trendy accessories, this market, right by the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, gives you the opportunity to buy lots of vintage clothes, technical and military wears plus curious accessories. (Via Sannio – Open from 8 AM to 6 PM).

Mercato Testaccio (Testaccio)

The delicious smell of Roman street food, the colors of the most wonderful produce and the lighthearted vibe of the Romans can be, with no stretch, found here. Try fresh pasta on the go, pizza al taglio, panini and many tempting bites right on the spot for a new take on a mercato experience. To not talk about the neighborhood its in (Testaccio) gifting a serious example of the best Roman lifestyle. (Via Aldo Manuzio, 66 – Open from 7 AM to 2:30 PM).

Mercato Tuscolano III (Quadraro)

This is truly a diamond! One of the richest market of Southern Rome, in terms of choices and offers is in the multifaceted neighborhood of Quadraro, where an authentic Rome meets the new and modern. Around 120 stands to roam through: bar, hair stylist, tintoria and calzolaio coexist with the classic produce and deli stands while set on a one of a kind ambience. (Viale Spartaco, 45 – Open from 7 AM to 3 PM)

Mercato Rionale Cinecittà Est (Cinecittà)

Since 1989 a proper guarantee of quality for Romans. Here not only you’ll find fruit, vegetable, regional products and essentials but also a vibe that can be captured in one word: authenticity. Hungry? Pizza al taglio at your service, to be eaten while shopping. In need of a fresh manicure or a quick coffee? Don’t worry this market has it covered! (Via Pietro Marchisio – Open from 7AM to 2 PM)

Mercato Rionale Ronchi (Prenestino)

On Via Prenestina, very close to Villa Gordiani (an archeological site/park that not everybody knows about and that should be higher in the “things to see in Rome when out of the center” ranks) the little but still pretty and functional Mercato Ronchi is the go-to place for produce and flowers (sold by the sweet owner Luigi since the ’60s) when in the area! (Via Prenestina, 319 – Open from 7 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato Latino (Appio Latino)

Is there a cooler entrance for a mercato? Probably yes, but this one makes me dream! I love how colorful and alive it is, plus this market finds itself in a delightful, hidden side of this particularly pretty area of Rome. Flowers, vegetables, amazing regional products, if you’re in the neighborhood don’t miss this local spot for the perfect Roman vibe. (Via Orvieto – Open from 6 AM to 2:30 PM)

Mercato Campo de’ Fiori (Centro Storico)

Colorful produce on a stand in Campo de’ Fiori

The most famous (and oldest) Roman market can be found in the center, precisely in Campo de’ Fiori. Its characteristic beauty immersed in a piazza that almost makes you think of a small village gives space to stands of every kind from produce to regional specialties, homeware and souvenirs. Perfect to stroll through and for a good session of people watching while eating a slice of pizza bianca from the homonym forno at the corner. (Piazza Campo de’ Fiori – Open from 7 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato di Porta Portese (Trastevere / Portuense)

The eccentric and distracting beauty of Porta Portese and its quirky objects

Us Romans describe this market perfectly in one sentence “Ce trovi de tutto a Porta Portese, pure l’aerei” (you can find everything in Porta Portese, even airplanes). A huge vintage secondhand dream, a fun place for anybody in the family, from kids to elders. Street food trucks in the midst of it for a quick Roman snack (go for panino con porchetta) and an impressive selection of antiques and vintage Italian memorabilia. (With multiple entrances from Piazza Ippolito Nievo, Via Ettore Rolli and Via Portuense – Open only on Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM).

PS: do you know that Porta Portese market has a “younger brother” taking place in the East side of Rome? Curious? Read my blog post about it!

Antica Frutteria delle Coppelle (Centro Storico)

The picturesque frutteria in Piazza delle Coppelle

Not a literal market but a fascinating stand in the middle of a lovely Roman piazza, where fruit, vegetables and the stunning surroundings pair themselves to create an insanely picture perfect and unique sight. The nearby restaurant will allow you to sit right next to the heart of this produce stand, letting you breathe a sincere unforgettable Roman moment. (Piazza delle Coppelle – Open from 7 AM to 2 PM).

Mercato Corinto (Ostiense)

Since 1960 in the lovely Ostiense (one of my favorite neighborhoods thanks to its amazing urban vibe given by lots of wonderful street art) a trustworthy and colorful market takes place for the locals to fulfill their daily needs: produce, homeware and even a book crossing area. Simplicity is key when doing groceries and the Romans know it. (Via Corinto – Open from 7AM to 2PM)

Mercato Insieme (Centocelle)

Cd’s and book’s stand in front of Mercato Insieme

In Centocelle, where I was born, the classic daily mercato that would once take place in the main Piazza dei Mirti has now transferred (for quite some years) in a building not very far, that offers tons of options for produce and regional delicacies. What I buy all the time are the olives! There aren’t olives fresher and tastier than the mercato ones. Plus right outside I always stumble upon cool stands selling books, cds, secondhand clothes, homeware and sometimes plants! (Viale della Primavera, 4 – Open from 7 AM to 2 PM).

Market Map

All these markets are beautiful, you may say, but where are they? Being so many and spread out quite well, here a useful map for your next trip!