Outdoor Markets in Italy - Much More Than a Farmers' Market
/One of the many pleasures of living in Italy is the outdoor farmers’ markets. But they’re so much more than food markets. I live in Guardia Sanframondi, a small village in the Campania region, where our Sunday market offers fruits, veggies, fish, cheeses, candies, shoes, clothing, housewares, linens, and almost anything you need (or don’t need). During the week, the market vendors rotate among the villages in the area so it’s easy to find a market on most days of the week.
ANTIQUE FURNITURE, SHOES, LINENS … WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Some of the many incredible finds are vintage linen tablecloths with hand-stitched embroidery, antique furniture, cute and inexpensive seasonal clothes, and practical shoes which you’ll need for these mountain towns with cobblestone streets.
FISH VENDORS, THE SAUSAGE GUY, AND LOCAL CHEESES
You really can do all of your weekly shopping at the outdoor markets. Most have vendors selling a variety of local cheeses, homemade sausages, and a fish vendor who will clean and fillet the fish for you. That alone is worth the trip!
And when asking to sample the cheese you’re handed a slice that’s big enough for 5 people. This isn’t Costco where you have to sneak back several times for the free samples. Maybe that’s just me.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE OUTDOOR MARKETS + THINGS TO DO
Guardia Sanframondi
Sundays
Housewares, fruit and veggie stands, clothing, shoes, linens, candy, knickknacks, tools
Take a break and grab a coffee and pastry with friends at one local bars surrounding the market. Then walk around the centro storico (historic center) where many locals and expats have restored some of the 500-year-old stone houses.
Telese Terme
Saturdays
Larger market centrally located in town near lots of shops. Housewares, fruit and veggie stands, clothing, shoes, linens, candy, knickknacks, tools, custom-measured curtains, and even a vendor who will re-cane your kitchen chairs
If it’s hot outside, time for gelato at many of the gelaterias nearby, or head to Terme di Telese for a dip in the freezing cold sulfur waters. On cooler days, there are several good pubs nearby.
Cerreto Sannita
Sundays
Housewares, fruit and veggie stands, sausages, cheeses, clothing, shoes, linens, candy, knickknacks, tools
Head to the MARC Musei Arte Cerreto to see the beautiful handcrafted ceramics, both contemporary and historical. There are many ceramic studios in the centro.
Vitulano:
Thursdays
Housewares, fruit and veggie stands, fish, clothing, shoes, linens, candy, knickknacks
Take a stroll around this cute little mountain town to see the sculptures, murals, and community parks. Then grab a Spritz of course! Or head for a drive through the Taburno Regional Park.
San Lorenzello:
Sundays (second and last of every month)
An incredible antique furniture market. There are also shops selling jewelry, homemade marmalades, taralli, and one of my favorite vendors that makes olive wood cutting boards and furniture, plus much more.
This market is very unique in that the “stalls” are located inside little cantinas along the main pedestrian street. It’s a very charming town with friendly vendors, many coming from Naples, selling some real treasures.
