Villages & Cities

Ventimiglia market: the complete shopping guide

If you are a shopper and are looking for information about Liguria or the French Riviera most likely you have heard of the famous Ventimiglia market.

You should know that there are two types of markets in Ventimiglia: the weekly market on Fridays, which is the most famous one, and the Ventimiglia covered market, which is less well known but loved by the people of Liguria because of the quality of its products.

In this little guide you will learn all about the Ventimiglia market and why it is so famous.

I will also explain why it is always pleasant to take a shopping trip to Ventimiglia, any day of the year.

The Friday Market

The Friday market in Ventimiglia is composed of dense series of stalls that take place on the waterfront and riverfront of the Ligurian city.

It is considered the largest market in Italy and is a tradition and institution for Italians, French people living on the French Riviera and all tourists who choose the Riviera for their vacations.

But why are Ventimiglia’s Friday markets so popular?

First of all, among the many stalls there is really a wide selection of items from a wide variety of types, here are some of them:

• clothing for adults and children
• Leather items such as handbags, wallets, belts gloves and more
• Shoes
• Glasses
• Cashmere products and soft scarves processed by the best counters
• Objects
• Things for the home at unbeatable prices

For Italians, attending the Friday market every week is a normal habit.

The many French people who come from the French Riviera every Friday to shop at the market do so mainly because of the incredible affordability and higher quality of products compared to neighboring France.

Shopkeepers, moreover, are extremely kind and helpful to customers: they are not at all upset when a customer picks up an item and does not put it back.
In fact, they often invite passersby to try on merchandise without any commitment.

Most salespeople speak perfect French and English, and those who do not can make themselves perfectly understood by mimicry and gestures.

At the end of the day, however, the Friday market in Ventimiglia always remains an entertaining occasion with a lively, fun and cheerful atmosphere.
A nice way to spend a Friday with friends or family, with such a wonderful and priceless backdrop as Ventimiglia.

Counterfeiting at the Ventimiglia Market.

A rather widespread phenomenon that we often read about even on the Internet is that of counterfeiting.
Within the Ventimiglia market, in fact, it is not difficult to come across items with high-fashion brands that are offered at incredibly cheap prices.

Often on some products it is really difficult to distinguish the fake from the original.

So beware, if you are looking for real high fashion items of Italian and foreign brands the advice is not to be persuaded by the numerous squatters at the market but to go to the emblazoned boutiques in Nice and Monte Carlo.

The Covered Market of Ventimiglia

The Ventimiglia Covered Market is a little gem in the heart of the border town.
Unlike the Friday Market, which runs along the waterfront, the Ventimiglia Covered Market is open daily from Monday to Saturday.

If you are interested in shopping for good things to eat, I recommend that you drop by Ventimiglia even if only to take a tour of its market.

In fact, all kinds of fresh food and wine products can be found inside.

Fruits and Vegetables

The many fruit and vegetable stalls have the freshest and highest quality goods displayed in a truly inviting way.
There are so many and so inviting that you don’t know where to start.

Gastronomy

The deli counters offer excellent selected products: bread, fresh pasta, cold cuts, cheeses and more.

Meat and fish

The meat and fish stalls are no less: in fact, they supply the city’s best restaurants with outstanding products.

Inside the Covered Market you will also find items of different kinds including flowers and plants.

Shopping in Ventimiglia

For all those who come to Ventimiglia for shopping, whether on Fridays or any other day of the week, I can only recommend a nice tour of the rest of the city as well.

In fact, the commercial soul of Ventimiglia offers many stores with high-quality merchandise and well-known brands.

There are also numerous wine and spirits stores that offer a truly incredible selection of products, both Italian and international.

Luxury Jewelers and Replicas: A Hidden Treasure in Ventimiglia

Ventimiglia is also a popular city for buying jewelry.
Its jewelry stores offer a wide range of items, including high-quality replicas of prestigious watches.

These watches, made with great attention to detail, represent a unique opportunity for those who wish to own a luxurious-looking piece at a decidedly competitive price.

The combination of sophisticated design and affordable prices makes Ventimiglia’s jewelry stores a must-visit destination for fans of classy watches and jewelry.

How to Get to Ventimiglia

Every Friday the city stops to make room for the weekly market, which makes the city a little more chaotic than usual.

By Car

Ventimiglia is easy to reach. It has its highway exit not far from the state line.

The city’s main parking lots, despite the market, remain easily accessible. During the busiest times, I recommend that you park your car in the area east of town and take a walk along the sea to reach the market.

By Train

Reaching Ventimiglia by train is extremely easy because its station, right in the center of the city, is the meeting point of the Côte d’Azur and Liguria railway lines.

All trains stop in Ventimiglia, whether arriving from Marseille or from major Italian cities.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve come to the end of this guide to the Ventimiglia market, you’ll know exactly how to get around this lively and vibrant city.

Did you enjoy the guide? Did I miss anything? Have you already been shopping in Ventimiglia?

Write it in the comments and share your personal experiences with me and other readers!