Italy for me From Italy with love
If you’re tired of traditional shopping at Rome’s outlets or the luxury boutiques of Milan and want to experience the atmosphere of a small Italian town, I recommend taking a short trip south of Rome to the city of Tivoli.
The flea market in Tivoli takes place on Wednesdays and is a smaller version of the Sunday flea market at Porta Portese.
If, for any reason, you miss Sunday in Rome and are planning a trip to Tivoli during your stay in Italy, then Wednesday is the perfect day for you. The journey takes about an hour, and detailed instructions with various travel options are provided in the article “How to get from Rome to Tivoli for €2.60.”
Besides the market, make sure to visit the stunning villas of Villa d’Este, Villa Adriana, and Villa Gregoriana, which I recently covered.
Upon arrival at the central train station, we followed the main flow of passengers, heading slightly to the left toward the city’s center. The first thing you see is the Aniene River, noticeably murky.
It’s worth mentioning the weather, as all travelers, especially women, tend to worry about it. As you can see, the mid-October weather in this part of Italy is fantastic, with temperatures reaching around 77°F (25°C).
To reach the city center, you need to cross a suspension pedestrian bridge.
Immediately to the left, you’ll see a cluster of market stalls—that’s Tivoli’s flea market.
On this trip, we were joined by the legendary Roman violinist from Piazza Navona and my good friend Maksim Blakhov. As you can see, visiting flea markets is always a celebration for Max. Guess what—he wasn’t there for the shopping!
Meanwhile, we took a stroll around. The market itself is a sprawling collection of hundreds of tents set up in the largest square of the city, Piazzale Giuseppe Impastato.
Most of the vendors are originally from Bangladesh.
Well then, ready to shop for clothes at the OUTLET?
You can pick up a handbag from any famous brand here for no more than ten euros. Michael Kors, Burberry, Gucci, Louis Vuitton—you name it.
Tights for just three euros—buy more and get a discount!
More expensive and tempting options are priced around five euros. You can even find a cool bodysuit for ten euros—and maybe a mysterious mask thrown in too.
For a more daring outfit, reminiscent of a Roman courtesan, you’ll have to pay around 20 euros.
Here’s a view of the lingerie and ladies’ accessories stall from the outside.
Let’s continue our stroll.
Overall, the average price of items hovers around five euros.
For about 30 euros, you can even find a luxurious coat or a sharp jacket.
There’s also plenty of small trinkets for just one euro each.
For designers and fans of unique finds, this market will feel like heaven.
Necklaces in every color and length imaginable.
You’ll also find household goods and car accessories.
Cosmetics from all the world’s top brands are available here.
And let’s be honest—it wouldn’t be an Italian market without food! Each vendor has their own way of attracting customers. Some shout and call out, while the wiser ones hang eye-catching photos above their stalls. Art truly is a powerful driver of commerce, my friends.
Prices for fresh fish range from €4 to €20 per kilogram. Of course, this isn’t the same as the fish market we visited in Sicily last November, but you can definitely find octopus here.
There are lines in front of every food stall.
Good-quality meat costs around €20 per kilogram.
If you’re short on cash or just craving something exotic, chestnuts are available for €5 per kilogram. Roast them, grab a burner, and you could resell them in Rome for €50. Just don’t forget who gave you the business idea! Keep in mind though—you’ll need to outsmart the Bangladeshi vendors first.
Italian cheese needs no advertising. At the market, it’s about 1.5 times cheaper than in supermarkets.
Honestly, we could learn a lot from the guys from Bangladesh. Even under clear blue skies, they are always alert, ready to sell you an umbrella at the first hint of rain—for just ten euros. You’ll understand when you get to Rome.
Ignoring the billboards shouting “everything for one euro,” we suddenly hear a beautiful melody.
Choosing a strategic spot for a performance is crucial, preferably at a busy intersection.
Max’s repertoire mainly consists of classical pieces, many of which he modernizes with musical accompaniment. His iPhone and portable speaker make a great team.
Watching people thank the People’s Artist of Italy with coins, I noticed that most of them were elderly gentlemen. Clearly, it’s the older generation that truly appreciates art.
Meanwhile, Max was just getting warmed up…
The truth is, being a musician is far from the easiest job in the world. Besides education, talent, and dedication, you also need to haul around your instruments and endure the heat—when even in October, the sun blazes at 77°F (25°C). After an hour and a half of performing, Max’s earnings totaled around 20 euros. Living for the moment.
We then continued our walk around Tivoli—after all, the market is an important part of the atmosphere, but only a small piece of what this charming town has to offer.
Also, be sure to check out the flea market in Milan.