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!
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