As the sun rises on Sunday, vendors from all over the local area set up stall in Porta Portese Flea Market, which is in the Trastevere area of Rome. It is a place where bargains can be found and when visiting Rome this is an excellent way to sample the local culture first hand.

This flea market sells everything you can possibly imagine. It has a beautiful antique section, selling brash brass and noisy clocks. You can find 18th century paintings, capturing local imagery from times that have long gone by. There is something distinctly Italian about the whole experience.

You can see the passion and determination in the eyes of the vendors. Clothes are for sale everywhere. The smell of Italian leather washes over you as you make your way through alleys of colourful bargains. This is an ideal place to buy gifts for loved ones whilst staying in Rome. A word of warning here. Whilst the The Porta Portese Flea Market is generally a safe place to be, pick pockets work on Sunday’s too, so it is our recommendation that you keep your valuable possessions in a safe place at all times. So hold on tightly to your wallet and purse.

Eating in Porta Portese is popular with the bargain hunters. There are food stalls and café’s a plenty, with simple snacking food, ideal to give you energy for more shopping. Like anywhere in Italy, the coffee is like nothing you have tasted before. Espresso shots are handed out like sweets to thirst locals.The location of the The Porta Portese Flea Market is easy enough to find. From the Travetevere train station you need to head for Mercato delle Pulci. There are also buses running from Termini station – Catch the number 75 pr the number 8 tram from Largo Argentina.

The Sunday market in Rome is very well known. If you are unsure then ask a local or visit the Rome public transport website. if you chose to stay in a Trastevere holiday rental then even be able to walk there.One last point about this wonderful Flea Market in Trastevere is be prepared to haggle with the vendors. If you were impressed by the haggling in places like Morocco and Spain, the Italian’s put them both to shame. Remember to hold your ground and not be defeated, because if you show sign of weakness you will lose the battle and lose out on the bargain that your heart is set on purchasing.

Travelling to Rome? Read also about the best Piazza Navona attractions and about some excellent restaurants close to the Spanish Steps area of the city.