Open Markets of Italy | The Ins & Outs

Every day in Italy brings exciting new sales and vendors to even the smallest of towns. You are pretty much guaranteed to pass by a market if you’re driving around mid-morning throughout the towns of Italy. I had heard about these infamous markets so I just had to check them out! Read below for more information about the Open Markets of Vicenza, Italy.

Downtown Vicenza Market

I was not disappointed either! There were tents galore full of fresh food, fried food, clothes, household items, vibrant flowers, and even some antiques. I would’ve spent my entire morning walking around to shop at each vendor. They also had handmade items of clothing – beautiful scarves and sweaters, all in preparation for the winter to come.

Downtown Market | Vicenza, Italy

Basillica of Vicenza

Flowers for sale during Market Day | Vicenza

Wildflowers of many colors | Vicenza

Cappuccino during Vicenza Market Day

Of course, I couldn’t leave the town center without getting my dose of a delicious cappuccino!

It was incredibly easy to ride my bike to the town center from our place. Bike racks were crowded and I even saw some people walking with their bikes throughout the center square. I luckily have a lock for mine, so there was no problem locking it up and walking around freely to shop. If you’re headed downtown and need a place to park (because most of it is a ZTL zone), I recommend Park Fogazzaro which you can find with the Google Maps link here!

Here’s what that same Vicenza square looks like in the afternoon and on every other day besides Thursday:

Vicenza square in the afternoon

Markets Around the Vicenza Area

I’ve put together a nifty schedule for those interested in exploring some of these fine markets around the Province of Vicenza! They’re separated into each day of the week, and below each town, you will often see the times during which they are held (almost all markets are in the mornings) as well as their location. Side note: Piazza in Italian does not mean pizza….it literally means square. Like a town square. The residents of an Italian village come to la piazza to flirt, buy a newspaper, take a stroll, or just soak in the scene. It’s a place that everyone is welcome and encouraged to find a comfy place to sit and relax to enjoy the sites of the town.

As with all dates and times, I do my best to make sure they are accurate! If you notice anything has changed, please reach out and let me know. 

Mondays

• Cittadella
  • Piazza Perobon
• Thiene
  • Corso Garibaldi
  • 8:30 am – noon

Tuesdays

• Arzignano
  • Piazza Liberta’
• Marostica
  • 8:30 am – noon
• Costabissara
  • 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
• Vigardolo
  • Via San Floriano
  • 8:00 am – noon

Wednesdays

• Dueville
  • Piazza Monza
  • 8:30 am – noon
• Schio
  • Piazza Statuto
  • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Abano
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Grisignano
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Thursdays

• Vicenza (Centro)
  • Piazza dei Signori
  • 8:30am – 12:30 pm
• Bassano
  • 8:30am – 12:30 pm
• Monte Grotto
  • 8:30am – 12:30 pm
• Montagnana
  • 8:30am – 12:30 pm

Fridays

• Piazzola
  • 9am – noon
• Isola Vicentina
  • 9am – noon
• Montecchio
  • Piazza Marconi

Saturdays

• Asiago
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Bologna
  • 8:30 – dusk
• Nove
  • 8:30 am – noon
• Padova
  • Prato della Valle
  • 8:30 am – dusk
• Schio
  • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Verona
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Bassano
  • Piazza Liberta’
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Sundays

• Camisano
  • Piazza Umberto
  • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Bologna
  • 8:30 am – dusk

Antique Markets & Days

• Piazzola (Padova)
  • Every Last Sunday
  • Piazza Perobon
• Esta (Padova)
  • Every 3^rd Sunday
• Arzignano (Vicenza)
  • Every 2^nd Sunday
  • Piazza dei Signori
• Marostica (Vicenza)
  • Every First Sunday
• Caldonazzo (Trento)
  • Every Friday Afternoon (Summer Only)
  • Medieval Market

Wine, anyone?

You all know by now how much I love downtown for all of its beauty and history. The architecture of the buildings, the residents, and the cute little shops captured my heart the first time I ever visited. I would be leaving out so much if I didn’t sneak in some of my favorite places.

The best wine shop we have found to date, Vini e Oli di Artigiani, is owned by a very sweet man. I am a red drinker versus my husband who prefers white. We can walk into our favorite wine shop and simply tell the owner our likes and dislikes – I’m more of a Valpolicella drinker with a bit of boldness and berry flavors. He always finds a way to pick out a perfect wine for me, and at a reasonable price. He will then pick out one for my husband, and we’ll maybe grab some Prosecco or Grappa to celebrate. Not only can he recommend the best wine for you, but he knows exactly where it came from, how it was made, and everything else about that local winery.

Here are a few more pictures, if you’re not already convinced enough to visit Vicenza and its surrounding areas. Below is one of my favorite buildings in all of downtown with its beautiful vines and flower baskets on each apartment balcony.

Hanging vines on the apartments downtown | Vicenza Italy

Streets of Italy where we love to bike by the river and parks

As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to share me with others!