Rome. This touristic city is so well depicted in history books and documentaries. It is a city that people unfortunately often tend to reduce to the Colosseum or the Pantheon. It is a city that I’ve unconsciously never been excited about because I didn’t want to seem or feel mainstream.

Still, as soon as I got off the train taking me from Fiumicino to Termini the first day I ever stepped foot here, everything had already changed. 

The magic was already operating.

From my first day to the end of my time in Rome, I have spent indescribable, unforgettable days. Some days were all chill and relax. I would have a walk alongside the Tiber and eat some of the best tiramisu next to one of the famous places in Rome. Most days were as exciting as it gets. I would spend Sunday mornings in the mountains of clothes at the market of Porta Portese and discovering the breathtaking views at the Pincio or Giardini del Aranci. 

At the end of each day, a hard choice was to be made between getting some well-deserved rest or going to the Yellowbar across the street to have some more fun. I can still picture the neon lights of the bar, forming letters, words, and a sentence:

“They call us dreamers, but we are the ones who never sleep”. 

I will never forget the face of the many people that have once pushed the kitchen door of the Yellow. The people that would cook pasta as if their life depended on it. The ones who would try all the pans before finding the only one that works with the induction hob. The ones making their morning caffè with the little purple moka that someone left in the kitchen when they moved on and away to live other adventures. 

For a while, I had my very own family at the hostel. 

From the French guy looking for a job in Rome to the Spanish girl learning Italian at La Sapienza University, without forgetting the Greek teenager I shared an ice cream with and the American boy that took me on a rooftop. Each and every one of them was special, each had an incredible personality and took part in the loud laughs that still echo in my head. 

I will miss Monica’s confident voice, Julio’s music and many arts, Pablo’s ever-changing dyed hair, Stella’s ice creams at the Gello, and Veronica and Eduardo’s diffusing and radiant happiness. 

And overall, I know I will miss the summer heat of the Roman sun on my skin more than I’ll ever like to admit. The freshwater harvested of fountains unexpectedly placed at the corner of the streets. The taste of all the creamy pistacchio croissants I have eaten. The feeling of the fine warm sand of Ostia on my feet.

I have created so many memories in Rome. Some will come back home with me and others will stay sheltered within the delicate architecture of the Roman buildings. 

A hand on my suitcase, the other one holding my passport, the feeling is almost indescribable. While getting lost in the Fiumicino labyrinth -as if Rome didn’t want me to go, I can hear some people ordering a freshly-pressed orange juice. Voices fade away, the further I walk into the plane corridor. When we finally take off, the last souvenir that Rome is willing to give me is the direct view of Ostia. And what a wonderful memory… 

Rome is where my heart is. Rome is the city in which I bloomed. Rome is my home.

If one thing is true, it is that Rome is a city of the past. Much honestly, the first time you step foot in the city, you might wonder if you have just been brought back to the past. There are statues everywhere and detailed sculptures all around you that carry the thought: “Wow, I’m in a huge museum!”.

And that couldn’t be less true. Rome is an open-air museum indeed (link to one of the previous articles).

Rome is art, antique, history, archaeology, a city that never let its record go to waste. That is also why the Eternal City is one of the top travel destinations and has been for years.

But enough about the history and the beauty of the finely detailed flowers engraved below the roofs. Today is about one thing that we love doing when traveling to a foreign country: shopping!

Markets in Rome: Our top 5

Well yes – shopping is very much a part of tourist life, isn’t it? We love bringing back souvenirs in all kinds of “Rome”-printed sweatshirts, hip accessories, paintings of the city, and more. Anything to remind us back home that we once lived the most unforgettable moments in town.

Today is your lucky day. We have compiled a list of the top 5 markets in Rome. There is everything for you to enjoy thorough shopping days in the city from food snacks to vintage fashion!

1) Mercato di Porta Portese

The Porta Portese Market is the place to be on a Sunday morning. One could describe it as a vast, open-air vintage shop. Countless stalls lay on several streets and offer piles upon piles of vintage and second-hand clothes.

The market is located close to the Trastevere area, and it offers a relaxed, trendy vibe. People press to find the best bargains, and the flea market – open only on Sundays – offers records, books, clothes, and houseware beyond your wildest dreams. Our friendly recommendation is such: like Harry Potter’s Room of Requirement, do not expect anything from the Porta Portese Market. That’s the best way to find hidden gems.

2) Mercato di Testaccio

The Mercato di Testaccio is located in the surroundings of the Piramide and Testaccio areas. Upon entering the market, we instantly recognize the vibe of the old-school grandma market. It is filled with the finest Italian products: meat, fish, cheese meet artisanal clothes, beauty products, and accessories.

At the Mercato di Testaccio, you can sit at some of the best food stalls in the city. Food Box, for instance, offers panini filled with vegetarian and meat options. A panino with melanzane alla Parmigiana (aubergines with parmesan cheese) will surely linger in your mind. CasaManco is another excellent choice, with pizza alla pala declined in both regular and creative recipes.

3) Mercato di Campo de’ Fiori

The market of Campo de’ Fiori is open almost every day, and it is surrounded by some great cafés, restaurants, and bars. The fantastic thing about this market is that the produce is fresh and local. We strongly recommend getting freshly pressed juice from one of the food stalls there.

Why not start a Roman day with breakfast at one of the cafés, and enjoy a great moment with coffee and cornetto in hand? On a sunny day, the market looks lively, filled with fresh scents and noises from the surrounding customers. On a rainy day, Campo de’ Fiori becomes melancholic, romantic, beautiful.

4) Mercato Monti

The Mercato Monti is one of the trendiest markets in Rome. It is open on weekends only, and it offers handcrafted accessories and more vintage items than you have ever seen. From 10 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, you can find handmade jewelry, fashion, accessories in vintage and artisanal declensions.

5) Mercato dell’Esquilino

The Mercato dell’Esquilino borders the Termini station, and it focuses on ethnic, international foods. If you are missing specific spices to create a tremendous Asian, African, or Arab dish, that is where you need to go.

The market personifies the hustle and bustle of multicultural Rome. There, noises and smell combine in the vast industrial building, open almost every day of the week.

In conclusion…

There you have it, a condensed list of the hippest and delicious markets in Rome. If you’ve never thought of shopping in Rome because the plan revolved around pizza-Colosseum-Vatican, think again. On a relaxed, stroll, you might just find your new favorites.

Rare are those who disagree on the fact that Rome hosts some of the most beautiful museums. From the almost alive statues of Gallery Borghese to the Egyptian room of the Vatican museums, the artworks will undeniably blow your mind away. 

However, we have to admit that the city itself is housing a particular aesthetic that you can only reach by walking in the streets of Rome, with your eyes wide open. Rome definitely is a museum by essence, unveiling new gems each and every day. 

Whether it is street art or simply places that showcase the most unusual beauty, we have gathered for you some of the wonders you might come across in the streets of the Eternal city. 

1. Church San Paolo Dentro le Mura 

Literally “St Paul within the walls”, this gothic church sits in the middle of Via Nationale. Walk by this amazing building and let yourself be amazed by the alternating pure white and saturated brick red. Its special appearance gives this church all the singularity that we love when wandering in the streets of Rome. 

2. Via della Conciliazione 

Considered as one of the main arteries of the city, this street is a must if you are looking for street art around the Vatican. The artworks are everywhere, defending all types of opinions, through all kinds of styles. Paintings, stickers, or sentences – we guarantee this is one of the best spots to enjoy a different type of art in a city full of ancient statues and paintings. 

3. Via Dei Pastini 

For lunch or dinner, day or night, you can enjoy the beauty of this street. Not so far from the Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon, you can walk through this street and come across the many displays of fresh pasta, artichokes, and other Italian specialties at the entrance of the restaurants. Do not miss an occasion to eat in one of these, under the sparkling lights of the terraces!  

4. Quatro Fontane 

At the intersection of Via Delle Quatro Fontane and Via del Quirinale, you will find four built-in fountains. Nothing special so far, as Rome offers a plethora of amazing fountains. However, we advise you to take a closer look at these fountains, since each one is different from the others. Two of these fountains are the embodiment of two rivers, the River Tiber and the River Aniene while the two other fountains are the Goddesses Diana and Juno, representing chastity and strength. The details of each one of the Quatro Fontane will make your eyes sparkle!

5. Clet Abraham’s Unusual Traffic Signs

Walking in the streets of Rome, you will probably notice that some traffic signs are somewhat… diverted. Well, Clet Abraham is the creator of the funny stickmen stealing the show from the stop signs. Small arrows spiking hearts, tiny policemen, Andy-Warhol type bananas… Witness the ingenuity of his art by looking up to these traffic signs! 

6. Quartiere Coppedè 

Enter a real fairytale in Quartiere Coppedè, a housing complex built following the Modern Style movement. There, you will have the chance to walk around the Fontana delle Rane – the Frog fountain, to discover the many details of Villini delle Fatte and to walk under the arch of The Palazzi degli Ambasciatori. This neighborhood is a staple of the city of Rome, for its peculiar architecture and all the secrets it seems to be hiding.

Here they are – six of our favorite spots to experience Rome under a completely different aesthetic. But overall, we advise you to tie your shoelaces and to get lost in the Roman labyrinth. This way, you will uncover your own wonders: street art, little sculptures of the Virgin Mary on the corner of random buildings, and outstanding architecture! Get off the beaten paths, and always remember that even famous spots change daily. All that matters is the angle from which you see them…