Thrift Stores In Rome Are Great For Affordable Souvenirs

Thrift stores in Rome are a great place to find that unique souvenirs or gifts that will make your trip to Italy even more memorable and these are the top 3.

Thrift Stores In Rome - Shoes — Used Shoes

There are markets selling used, vintage or otherwise inexpensive clothes and other products all over Rome. Generally, they are an inexpensive way to shop for both common and uncommon goods. This guide will help you check out some of the bigger markets that you should add to your agenda for the next time you are in Rome.

The Deal Done Aventino Thrift Store

This is one of the Mercatino franchises that are spread all around Rome and Italy. Here you can find used, vintage and hard to find products that include: clothes, books, art, appliances and household goods. They also buy and sell on consignment, if needed.

Their Mission, as they define it, is:

“Second-hand markets are one of the best expressions of the Circular Economy. Every year we receive hundreds of tons of goods taken from the urban disposal cycle and together with you we contribute to reducing CO2 in the air.”

Thrift Stores In Rome - Deal Done — Deal Done – *Affare Fatto*

They have a very wide range of products available, and to better understand what this thrift store chain sells, here are some stats:

80% on products with a value of more than €3,000
70% on products with a value between €1,000.01 and €3,000.00
60% on products with a value between €500.01 and €1,000.00
50% on products with a value between €0.01 and €500.00

While the Mercatino chain of stores is all over Rome, this specific store, Deal Done (Affare Fatto) can be found at Viale Aventino, 62, open 7 days a week, from 10:00 AM until 7:30 PM.

The Giftland Market At Piazza Ragusa In Rome

This probably won’t be available again until Christmas 2023, but it is something you should definitely keep in mind for your vintage product needs. The Giftland Market was a surprise for me and it took me a little bit of time to wrap my head around what I was experiencing. This is a covered market that is held in what was previously a municipal bus depot that currently also is home to a traditional farmers market.

Thrift Stores In Rome - Art — Art, As Well As Odds and Ends

The Vintage Shops

This market is held Friday through Sunday on the three weekends in December leading up to Christmas. It is called a Vintage market, but Giftland is so much more. There are of course vintage clothing and vintage vinyl sellers, but also quite a few artisans selling their beautiful crafts that are perfect Christmas gifts. The crafts are a great addition because I was a little stumped by the idea of buying vintage clothing for someone else, but maybe that is just my hang-up.

Thrift Stores In Rome - Santa — Look Where Santa Shops!

Keeping You In The Christmas Spirit

In addition to the fantastic gifts available, and a not very Italian Santa Claus wandering around the market, you can relax with some coffee (of course), mulled wine (Vin Brulé), a slice of panettone or even, much to my surprise, nachos and guacamole. I didn’t notice the nachos until it was too late, but I won’t make the same mistake next time.

Visiting Hours For The Giftland Market

As mentioned, it is only open on the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December before Christmas. On Fridays, it is open after work, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. On the weekends, the market is open from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm.

The Sunday Porta Portese Thrift Market in Rome

The Porta Portese market is one of the most famous flea markets in Rome. It is also the largest and oldest flea market in Rome near the Trastevere neighborhood. It is open every Sunday and the operating hours are flexible, generally it is open from 7.00 to 14.00, including holidays.

Getting The Most Choices At The Flea Market

You should get here early if you want to find the best deals. There are objects of all kinds to buy, including antiques, new and used clothing, housewares, shoes, home accessories, sheets, towels, plants, records, CDs, toys, cosmetics and more of the most diverse collection in Rome. All that being said, I have seen some complaints online that in the past there were more cool items, but today it is a generic market. Having only been in Rome for a little more than a year, I can’t give my opinion on that, but it is still very popular, so you should definitely check it out.

Thrift Stores In Rome - Kitsch — Kitsch Around Every Corner

Flea Market Parking

It is definitely difficult to find parking in the area. Parking is tolerated on the Lungotevere di Ripa Grande, but it is recommended on the other bank of the Tiber, in Testaccio, then walk over. Better yet, you can take the #75 bus from Termini station, or you can take the #8 tram from the Largo Argentina stop.

Some Other Thrift Stores In Rome To Consider

Doing Good At The HUMANA Vintage Store in Rome

The HUMANA Vintage vintage store is part of Humana People to People Italia, which they describe as:

“a humanitarian international cooperation organization that has been promoting sustainable development in the textile sector for over twenty years, but not only. Since 1998, thanks to the collection, selection and sale of used clothes, we have supported medium-long term programs in the world and socio-environmental projects in Italy. Through our ethical and transparent supply chain, the garments that people entrust to us are transformed into resources for education, sustainable agriculture, health protection and community development projects. Humana Italia is a member of the Humana People to People International Federation, present in 45 countries.”

They have 535 all across Europe and 3 stores in Rome that you can check out:

Via Leonina, 38/41
Via Cavour , 102
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 199-201

Not All Thrift Stores In Rome Are The Same

If you find yourself walking around San Giovanni during the day, you will probably come across tables with umbrellas along via Sannio. These are the typical street market where you can get lower priced clothing and low-end electronic goods. I have no issue with these, but further down the street, at the end of the Gardens of Via Sannio (Giardini di Via Sannio) is what I’ve only been able to describe as a shanty town.

The Via Sannio Flea Market is not a comfortable place because the buildings seem slapped together, it’s dark and there were very few customers walking around when I visited. The selection of items for sale seemed limited and maybe 20% of the tables were either vacant or bundled under a tarp for some future date. This spooky place doesn’t seem safe and I would recommend just skipping this market. There are plenty of others.

Enjoying Your Visit To A Thrift Store in Rome, Italy

This is a short list of how you can have your best experience visiting the Thrift, Vintage and Second Hand markets around Rome. Some of these might be obvious, but maybe not to everyone.

Thrift Stores In Rome - Used Books — Quality Used Books

Don’t take pictures of the vendors as you walk around. You will be given nasty looks, asked to stop or even possibly asked to leave.
Look for a place to get a coffee. Some of these markets are huge, so taking a break for a coffee would be highly recommended, and you don’t want to be searching for a cup when it is too late.
Leave Your Credit Cards At Home. You might find vendors that accept credit cards or digital payments, but cash is appreciated and might help facilitate a deal.
Watch Your Wallet. This is even more important if you choose to go to a place as dodgy as the Via Sannio Market, but Rome has its fair share of pickpockets and flea markets are popular for this because you are often not as concerned about your surroundings when you are looking to strike a deal.
Don’t accept the asking price, especially if you paid cash.