Vintage markets are becoming more and more popular, partly because of our growing environmental awareness, and partly because these items just have a charm that modern, mass-produced stuff often lacks. That’s why many of us find ourselves looking for unique pieces, something with character, and hopefully at a reasonable price.
But where can you actually find them? Here’s a list of what we think are the best vintage markets across Italy.
Navigli and Piazzale Cuoco (Milan)
This is one of the most well-known markets in Milan, and for good reason. The location is truly unique: right in the heart of the Navigli, a long canal surrounded by alleyways, traditional railing-lined houses, and small shops and restaurants. Here, there are two different markets:
- Saturday Market (10 am – 6 pm): you’ll mostly find clothes, vinyl records, and all sorts of random stuff. It’s my favorite, because you can seriously find anything here, and it’s super cheap! The vibe is great too, with lots of fashion students and stylists hunting for cool pieces.
- Sunday Market (last Sunday of each month, from 8.30 to 18.30): more focused on furniture and home decor.
If you’re looking for something different, less crowded and a little more peripheral, then you should definitely go southeast of Milan to Piazzale Cuoco. It’s about 40 minutes away from Navigli by public transport, near Porta Romana. This market is held every Sunday morning and has a true flea market vibe, less polished, and with prices that are often even lower.
Porta Portese (Rome)
Porta Portese is a true Roman institution, in fact it’s been running since 1945. The location is great too, right in the heart of Trastevere, a neighborhood full of local restaurants and museums (which isn’t surprising, since the whole city is basically an open-air museum).
However, you might as well take advantage of the area: after the market, stop by San Francesco a Ripa to see some of Bernini’s work, and then take a walk up to Gianicolo Hill for one of the best views in Rome.
The market itself has a bit of everything: paintings, vintage watches, clothes, records, and all sorts of random finds. Rome it’s huge and the market gets very busy from early, so I suggest you to arrive by 7 or 8 am.
- Address: Via Portuense, 00153 Roma RM
- Hours: Every Sunday, from 6 am to 2 pm
“Cose d’altri Tempi”(Piazzola sul Brenta)
Held on the last Sunday of each month for over 40 years, this vintage market is the second largest in Europe, with over 800 vendors spread across both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Actually, whether or not you’re shopping, Piazzola sul Brenta is well worth a visit. It’s just 25 minutes from Padua and generally more affordable than vintage markets in bigger cities like Milan. It’s also great for those of you planning to come with your family, as there’s a green area nearby for kids. I suggest coming early and then visiting Villa Contarini, the beautiful building you can see in the picture below that serves as the backdrop to the market.
- Address: Piazzola Sul Brenta (PD) Via Luigi Camerini n. 1
- Hours: Last Sunday of each month, from 8 am to 6 pm
Gran Balon (Turin)
The Balon market takes place every Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm, but on the second Sunday of each month it gets much bigger and turns into the Gran Balon. It’s held near Porta Palazzo and features over 250 stalls and 50 shops.
You’ll find everything from furniture and ceramics to vintage toys, accessories, and vinyls. It’s also a great excuse to explore one of Turin‘s lesser-known historic neighborhoods, where you can find lots of great local restaurants.
- Address: Via Borgo Dora, Via Lanino, Via Mameli, Via Canale Molassi – 10152 Turin
- Hours: Second Sunday of each month, from 8 am to 6 pm
Sant’Ambrogio Market (Florence)
Sant’Ambrogio is less touristy than Florence’s Central Market and is where more locals tend to shop. It dates back to the late 1800s and it was originally a fresh produce market. Today, there’s both an indoor area selling food and an outdoor one with stalls offering a bit of everything, from clothing and plants to home goods.
It’s located in the Santa Croce area, where you can really get a feel for the authentic everyday life of locals. If you want to stop for a bite, I highly recommend you Trattoria da Rocco (huge portions and great prices).
- Address: Piazza Pietro Annigoni, Florence
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 2 pm
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