Outdoor Food & Antique Markets in Veneto

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Apart from being the most unique source of souvenirs and consolation gifts for the friends you left behind, outdoor markets are some of the most interesting places in Italy. Almost all of them offer a collection of items that ranges from near-worthless knickknacks to priceless works of art, from the ancient to the post-post modern. Some markets are specialized but all welcome visitors, who are encouraged to have fun bargaining in English, Italian, sign language or any combination of the above. A word to the wise: keep your money and valuables stashed under at least one layer of clothes. Who wants to spend the whole time worrying why all those people are jostling you?

Here is a partial calendar of outdoor markets held in Veneto. Keep in mind that special outdoor markets are almost always held on the occasion of town fairs and festivals.

• Montagnana
  (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, third weekend of the month, except July and August). This is a great market for travelers, first because it is held in an impossibly picturesque castle and second because most of the 60 vendors sell small, economical objects which make perfect souvenirs and gifts.
• Asolo
  (town center, second Sunday and previous Saturday of the month, except July and August). This lovely hill town was the favorite retreat of the great actress Eleonora Duse, and its porticoed streets and flowering balconies still offer a peaceful haven, except when the market fills the town with its lively activity. Clocks, jewelry and antique rugs shine here.
• Venice
  (Centro Culturale di Esposizione e Comunicazione, on Giudecca island, September). This is an auction for serious collectors of antiques and fine art. Held simultaneously with the Biennale, it's a great excuse to visit the Palladian convent of the Zitelle. Tickets about $8.; for information call 011-39-55-294626.
• Piazzola sul Brenta
  (Villa Contarini on Fridays). This sprawling catchall market fills the ground of a Palladian villa on the banks of the Brenta River, so even if you aren't in the market for anything, the setting is worth the visit!
• Brugine
  (Via Roma, first Sunday of the month).
• Piazzola sul Brenta
  (Piazza P. Camerini, last Sunday of the month).
• Padua
  (Prato della Valle, third Sunday of the month).
• Este
  (Piazza Maggiore, third Sunday of the month).
• Treviso
  (Borgo Cavour, fourth Sunday of the month).
• Verona
  (Piazza San Zeno, third Sunday of the month).
• Marostica
  (Piazza Castello, first Sunday of the month).

Food Markets

• Every day
  Chioggia
• Mondays
  Pieve di Cadore
  Cittadella
  Ariano nel Polesine
  Mogliano Veneto
  San Donà di Piave
  Peschiera del Garda
  Lonigo
• Tuesdays
  Feltre
  Padova, localita Piazzale Azzurri d'Italia
  Curtarolo
  Rovigo
  Treviso
  Scorze
  Soave
  Marostica
• Wednesdays
  Abano Terme. All sorts of fruits and vegetables as well as clothes and shoes
  Frassinelle Polesine
  Maserada sul Piave
  Mirano
  Cologna Veneta
  Recoaro Terme
• Thursdays
  Lamon
  Montagnana
  Papozze
  Follina
  Noale
  Portogruaro
  Bardolino
  Vicenza, piazza dei Signori
  Bassano del Grappa
• Fridays
  Longarone
  Piazzola sul Brenta
  Taglio di Po
  Conegliano
  Annone Veneto
  Sommacampagna
  Montevecchio Maggiore
• Saturdays
  Belluno, piazza Piloni
  Selva di Cadore
  Cadoneghe, localita Castagnara
  Guardia Veneta
  Asolo
  Caorle
  Quarto d'Altino
  Valeggio sul Mincio
  Asiago
• Sundays
  Solesino
  Castelguglielmo
  Crespano sul Grappa
  Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella
  Cartigliano

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