On Sunday Oct. 14th we headed down the street to check out the Porta Portese flea market. I had read about this market but had no idea that it would be so close to us until my home exchange hosts told me about it. There are about 3.5 km of stalls set by people from all over Trastevere and some bring their goods in from nearby towns. What great luck. People come from all over Rome for bargains, it is popular with Romans, immigrants and also tourists like me. It opens around 6:30 A.M and goes until about 2 P.M.
I understand that you really have to watch your wallet as there are lots of pick pockets lurking about.
One will find almost anything from trendy cloths, new items, sun glasses, baked goods, shoes, produce, furniture and antiques to brick- a-brack. It had a bit of everything and the tables just went on and on.
We had so much fun checking everything out. I saw a Venetian glass chandelier and I thought…I want that. Then on second thought I would have to have it shipped home and I would have to haggle for a good price, so I changed my mind. I am sure that if I lived in Rome I would have purchased all kinds of things I don’t need.
I dove right into the action and started rooting around in the bins of clothes.
I did buy a coat in the new spring green color for only 2 euros, 2 scarves for 1,50 euros each and a red leather bag for 5 euros. I couldn’t believe that I got such good deals.
There were so many things I liked but it would be to much trouble to cart them back to Canada.
We got some rustic bread to take back to the apartment and some sweet rolls to eat while resting on a bench in a nearby park.
It was a beautiful sunny day to do a little people watching. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their bargain hunting and it was a fun day for me that I am sure to remember. Do you have a favorite flea market?