This week I decided to come back to Santa Margherita Ligure and spend some time in its fish market. I confess that I adore the fishermen world. I also went with the fishermen for fishing. And I admit that it was a fantastic experience 😉
If you are interested in going with the fishermen for fishing I leave here a pdf document where you can choose and book a fishing trip here (the document is only in Italian). It is an interesting experience and very often it includes a dinner on a board. The dinner is prepared with the fish you have fished before. What is more, you can admire the Ligurian coast or take a bath in the open sea. A price depends on a fisherman however it is about 25€/person. I think that is a fantastic, alternative idea for your holidays in Liguria 😉
However, let’s back to the wintertime and the fish market in Santa Margherita Ligure 😉
(All extra information about Santa Margherita Ligure I wrote in the previous post here.)
Where is the fish market?
The fish market is located in Corso Guglielmo Marconi 6A. It is placed very close to the sea and a town centre. During the summer it is open from 8.00 am-1.00 pm and 4.00 pm-8.00 pm in the winter from 5.00 pm -7.00 pm. However, when the weather is bad or the sea is too rough, the fish market remains closed.
How does it work?
On the fish market, the fish can be bought by anybody. What is more, the fish that are bought directly from the fishermen cost less than in a fish shop.
First of all, you should arrive on a square that is located in the front of the fish market. Then you have to wait when the fishermen boats arrive. You will recognise that it is the RIGHT place from the numerous persons that are already waiting there.
Then about 4.00/5.00 pm start arriving the fishing boats. To the edge of the square arrive only the small boats with the cases with the fished fish. That is the moment to check what they have fished. Then the cases are loaded on the cart and moved to the fish market. If you like the fish you have seen you simply follow the fisherman to the fish market. When he puts in order all his cases on the counter you can buy what you choose 😉
That’s all 🙂 but remember:
- in Santa Margherita Ligure there are 21 fishing boats so you don’t have to choose the fish from the first one you see … very often the most beautiful fish arrive at the end 😉
- on the fish market there are wholesalers that have a precedence and they are served before the rest of the customers
- the speciality of Santa Margherita Ligure is gambero rosso (red shrimp) which is bigger and tastier than the normal one (absolutely to try)
- on the fish market, nobody eviscerates you a fish  … you have to do it by yourself
In any case, I believe it is very funny and interesting experience. You can see the real Ligurian people and the way they behave. I hardly recommended it!
