Campo de' Fiori is one of the places that disappointed me a bit.

I was expecting a slightly more authentic market, but got more tourist stalls with souvenirs and cheap clothes.

But I would still recommend Campo de' Fiori if you take a detour through the centre.

Hotels near Campo de' Fiori

What does Campo de' Fiori actually mean?

The name translates as "Field of Flowers".

There used to be an open area behind the town's former housing estate. Today, it's one of Rome's most famous squares.

In the centre stands a statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno. It was here that he was executed by the Inquisition in 1600, giving the place a slightly different historical dimension than one expects on a first visit.

Campo de' Fiori Market

If you're heading here for the market, arrive in the morning.

The stalls run from around dawn until early afternoon and you'll find:

• fruit and vegetables
• spices
• pasta
• olive oils
• small souvenirs

It's fair to say that tourism is quite strongly felt here. If you're expecting a purely local market with no tourists, the reality will be a little different.

But for a short stop while browsing downtown, it makes sense.

Especially in the afternoon, when the local vendors leave, you're more likely to come across tourist souvenirs.

Campo de' Fiori Fountain

Personally, I also really liked the smaller stone fountain on the northern edge of the square.

It's not spectacular or monumental, but its form of a small boat and the few people around it fascinated me.

Practical information

Markets:

• Monday to Saturday
• approximately 7:00-14:00 (more local) or all day until approximately 20:00 (more touristic)

How much time to set aside:

• during the day: 20-30 minutes
• in the evening with dinner or drinks: 1-2 hours

What to see around

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