Today I would like to write about a very important Ligurian/Italian issue: the OPEN-AIR MARKETS 🙂
Even if in Liguria you can find numerous supermarkets and shops the open-air markets are still very important for the local people. What is more, in the smallest towns weekly open-air markets are a kind of feast! The ladies go to a hairdresser, wear their best clothes and meet the friends for a cup of coffee after a stroll through the market stands. For me, the open-air markets are also an excellent way to see how the Ligurian people live like. That’s why I recommend you to visit one of them!
What should you know about the Ligurian weekly open-air market?
- First of all when it is organized 🙂 Below I list you the open-air markets of the most important towns in Liguria:
MONDAY:
Ameglia, Andora, Arma di Taggia, Ceriale, Finale Borgo, Imperia Porto Maurizio, La Spezia, Recco, Riomaggiore, Riva Ligure, Riva Trigoso, Savona, S. Bartolomeo al Mare, Sori, Vallecrosia, Genova (P.zza Palermo, Dinegro, Molassana, Tré Ponti, Bolzaneto, Pegli).
TUESDAY:
Bocca di Magra, Borghetto S. Spirito, Campoligure, Cengio, Diano Marina, La Spezia, Pompeiana, Sanremo, S. Lorenzo al Mare, Seborga, Spotorno, Varese Ligure, Vernazza, Genova (Piazzale Parenzo, Piazza Giusti, Oregina, Nervi, Via  Anzani, Cornigliano, Voltri).
WEDNESDAY:
Albenga, Camogli,  Camporosso, Carcare, Casteinuovo Magra, Crocefieschi, Finale, Imperia Oneglia, La Spezia, Levanto,  Monegiia, Ospedaletti, Perinaldo, Rezzoaglio, Sassello, S. Stefano d’Avete, Vado Ligure, Vallebona, Varigotti, Genova (Via Tortosa, Terralba, Sestri Ponente, Prà , Certosa, Piazzale da Vinci).
THURSDAY:
Apricale, Bolano, Bordighera, Busalla, Cairo Montenotte, Cervo, Cogoleto, Dolceacqua, Finale Marina, Imperia Porto Maurizio, La Spezia, Lavagna, Noli, Mioglia, Monterosso al Mare, Rapallo, Sarzana, Senello, Triora, Genova (Dinegro, Via Anzani, Piazza Palermo, Bolzaneto, Pegli, Via Emilia).
FRIDAY:
Altare, Ameglia, Arenzano, Campoligure, Celle Ligure, Cervo Ligure, Chiavari, Fiumaretta, Laigueglia, La Spezia, Loano, S. Lorenzo al Mare, S. Margherita Ligure, S. Stefano al Mare, Ventimiglia, Villanova d’Albenga, Zuccarello, Genova (Via Isonzo, Piazzale Parenzo, Piazza Giusti, Oregina, Tré Ponti, Cornigliano, Pontedecimo, Prato).
SATURDAY:
Alassio, Imperia Oneglia, La Spezia, Lerici, Mallare, Millesimo, Piana Crixia, Pietra Ligure, Pigna, Sanremo, Sestri Levante, S. Stefano d’Aveto, S. Stefano Magra, Taggia, Rossiglione, Varazze, Genova (Via Tortosa, Terralba, Sestri Ponente, Certosa, Via San Remo, Piazzale Da Vinci).
SUNDAY:
Baiardo, Badalucco, Busalla, Campoligure, Isolabona, Masene, Rossiglione.
What else you should know?
- They are open (majority) from 7.00 am – 1.00 pm.
- What can you find there? EVERYTHING 🙂 From fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, ham, cheese, chickens, fish, spices, sweets to clothes (second-handed and new or designer clothes and no-name clothes), underwear, shoes, pans, bags, bijou, watches and also watchmaker!
- You can haggle only when you spend a lot. The small prices are final.
- The prices are generally much lower than in the shops. It regards food (that is always fresh and seasonal) and clothes (sometimes the designer clothes are 50% price off. However very often they don’t have all sizes).
- In some towns, once a month are organized the flea markets. If you like them for sure you will find something for you. Below I list where and when they are organized:
THE FIRST WEEKEND OF A MONTH:
Bolzaneto, Isolabona*, La Spezia*, Savona, Finale Ligure.
THE SECOND WEEKEND OF A MONTH:
Celle Ligure*, Chiavari, Vallecrosia*.
THE THIRD WEEKEND OF A MONTH:
Bogliasco*, Lavagna**, Recco*, San Lorenzo al Mare*, Taggia, Albenga*, Andora, Varazze*, Santa Margherita Ligure.
THE FOURTH WEEKEND OF A MONTH:
Rapallo*, Sori**, Brugnato*, Pietra Ligure*, Spotorno*, Alassio.
* only on Sunday
** only on Saturday
I believe that the open-air markets are fantastic places! You can find here everything and know the local people… for me, it is really priceless! I recommend you to visit one of them!
Hello! Thank you for the tips on the markets in Liguria. Which flea markets do you think are teh best for a wide selection of vintage clothing?
Hello Meggie, I think that the best vintage clothes you will find in the flea markets in Chiavari, Finale Ligure and Alassio (in particular Chiavari that I think is the best in whole Liguria!) Cheers! Agata
Thank you for the list – very useful! We are staying in Rapallo for a week soon. Which nearby markets are best for fresh food?
Hi Rory! Definitely Chiavari! Opened every day (apart from Sundays) from 6.00am -1.00pm. on the main square of the town.
Thank you for this excellent information. We are travelling to Liguria next April. Are the days of each market still the same as listed in this post? Also, I am looking for linen clothes which I have been told are widely sold in markets in Italy. Can you recommend the best market for buying linen clothing? Thank you so much.
Hi Monique! Yes, the days of each market are still actual and they don’t change. And the linen clothes .. well there’s no particular market that is specialized in linen clothes, you will find them in every market – so you will have a wide choice 😉 Enjoy!
Thank you so much for your reply!
Don’t mention it! 🙂
Love this area and the supermarket in Latte. My apt is in Villefranche sur Mer and when I rent a car, I head to Latte and Ventimiglia! So good!
Thank you for your comment Monique! 😉
Hi Agata, I have just moved to Genova and I am like looking for Darby secondhand markets. I wonder if you could tell me where the picture of the espadrilles for €9 was taken? That’s the kind of thing I’m looking for
Thanks!! Frances
Hi Frances! Espadrilles for 9€ were (and still are, cause I saw them last week) at the open-air market in Chiavari 🙂 So you can find them every Friday in the town centre 😉 Cheers, Agata
Hello …. I don’t see any open market days near the Porto di Imperia Oneglia ?
Hi Tracy! Yes, they are mentioned! on Monday at Porto Maurizio, on Saturday at Oneglia 🙂 Cheers! Agata
we went to santa margherita today, the forth weekend for the flea market. unfortunately this information wrong! it is THE THIRD WEEKEND of the month!!
Thanks for your info! When I wrote the post in 2017 it was on the fourth weekend! They changed it! You’re right! I’ll correct it immediately!
Can you tell me the best markets for antiques around camogli?
Hi Robin! Definitely Chiavari 😉
Hi Agata – what a great post! We’re aiming to visit the Chiavari flea market this weekend. Is it still on?
Yes, it is! 🙂
Hello, My husband and I will be staying in Pietra Ligure from October 5 to November 2, 2022. We would like to shop in the open air markets and it looks like there is one in Pietra Ligure on Saturdays. Is that every Saturday? or only the last Saturday of the month? Also, would you please give me an address or street intersection where it’s located so I can find it?
thank you so much! your blog is wonderful and helpful!
Hello Tammy! It is on every Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm in Piazza San Nicolò. You’ll find there almost everything: food, cloths, vegetables, fruits,local products and gastronomy. Wish you a great time in Liguria! Cheers! Agata
Thank you for the list, Agata. Like you, I love Liguria and these markets. Each time I visit, I use your list, it’s the Best!
Hi Jen! I’m so glad it is useful and you like it! Have a great time in Liguria! Many greets!
Dag Agata. Wij gaan naar Pietra ligure op zaterdag 1 april. Is er op zondag nog altijd die vlooienmarkt. Heb je ook aanbevelingen voor restaurantjes?
Groetjes,
Sandra
Hi Sandra! Every last Saturday and Sunday of every month you will find the flea market in Pietra Ligure. For restaurant recommendations: you can try: Locanda Nelli, Da Mimmo, or Il MuMa. Have a great time in Pietra Ligure! Cheers, Agata!
Dankjewel
Hello agata
I leave out side imperia. What markets are available between the 22nd and 26th of december.
I have friend visiting from france. I don’t wanty to travel too far.
Thank you and merry Christamas
Hi Jean Pierre, I’m sorry I answer you so late … however, the next time you can find the answer on this site: http://www.taccuinodiviaggio.com/mercati/settimanali-liguria.htm here you will find all dates of all open air markets in Liguria! Cheers, Agata
Do you include Forte dei Marmi in your list of markets?
Hello, no because Forte dei Marmi is located in Tuscany.
Hi Agata,
Thanks for this fabulous blog. I am looking for small antiques, What are the current details for the markets around Santa Margherita for these pls? ie location and date.
Many thanks
D
Hi Des! The next antiques open air market will be on May 11th-12th in Chiavari!
Hi Agatha
I’m staying near Sarzana during August.
Will the market be there this Thursday (15th) as it is Farragosto!
Thanks
Suzi
Hi Suzi! Sorry I was on holiday … I’ve just seen you comment … in any case I hope you passed nice time in Sarzana! Agata
Hello. I’m staying in Alassio in two weeks. Is there an antique or flea market around the area? Or maybe a linen or shoes? Any suggestions?
Thanks for this lovely page.
Melody
Hello Melody, September 14th-15th-20th you can visit the flea market in Alassio! Address: Piazza delle Liberta’. Have a great time! Agata 🙂
Hi Agata, myself and 2 friends are coming to Liguria on Sunday 30th March. We would like to visit a nice market where we could get something eat and browse around the fresh food stalls and other sellers. A couple of us have some mobility issues so we would like to go to a market that would be close to the train station, would you be able to recommend a particular market for us? Thanks Joe Moore
Hi Joe! Sunday is a “bank holiday” day, so you won’t find any open-air markets in Liguria … on Saturday there is a very nice one in Chiavari which you can reach very easily from the train station. Furthermore, on Friday, in Chiavari you will find a weekly open-air and a flea market … so it could suits you! But remember! They both last till 1.00pm! Have a great time in Liguria! Agata
Hi Agata, thank you for your message. So we will be travelling from Nice/France, but i can see the train journey to Chiavari is over 4 hours. We would be looking for somewhere nearer maybe 1 hour or 1.5 hours on the train, any other suggestions that would not involve to much walking once we get out the train station? Thanks Joe*
Ok, I get it, Joe. So we still talk about Saturday, not Sunday. Closer to the French border are: Sanremo, Imperia, Alassio and Pietra Ligure 🙂 They are all easily reachable by train! And they all have open-air markets on Saturdays.
Hi Agata, is the list is still valid? I am looking for an antiques market near Imperia. Many thanks
Hi Albert! Yes, everything still valid!
yes, valid 🙂
Hi Agata,
I will be in Finale Ligure from 13/september.
Do you know any markets where I can find some vintage linen/cotton napkins?
Like the one you can find in the markets in France.
All the best
Trine
Hi Trine, I believe that all open-air markets that are located close to the French border (Sanremo, Bordighera, Arma di Taggia ect) will have them … they are much influenced by French culture and French touch 🙂 Good luck! Agata
HI Agata – we will be in Ceriana and Sanremo area at the end of May. Can you verify the days and times of the Arma di Taggia and Sanremo markets? Thanks for the information!
Hi Julie! I know I’m out of time … I hope you’ve coped with the deal and I belive that the markets days are still actual … cause they really don’t change ever here in Liguria 🙂