Antiques markets in the Valle d'Itria: Sunday treasure hunting
Alongside the farmers' markets there is a second shopping experience we would not want to miss: the antiques markets of our region. Once a month, squares and avenues turn into an open-air museum you can touch, with stalls full of ceramics, old linen, brass lamps, farmhouse furniture and finds whose stories you can only guess at. We stroll, browse, haggle a little, and almost always something ends up coming home with us.
Our favourite: Ostuni
Ostuni is the one we love most. A good part of the market lies right inside the small town park, the Villa Comunale, and I like to stop there for an espresso before I lose myself in the browsing. Usually in old linen tablecloths. And because I can never choose with so much beauty around me, I drive home happily with several new old pieces of linen.
When and where to browse
The antiques markets take place monthly, always on Sundays. As a rule of thumb: second Sunday Ostuni, third Sunday the Valle d'Itria, last Sunday Ceglie and Lecce.
| Date | Town | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Sunday of the month | Ostuni, Villa Comunale | Our favourite, much of it inside the town park |
| 3rd Sunday of the month | Martina Franca | "Antiquariato in Valle d'Itria", one of the largest in the south |
| 3rd Sunday of the month | Cisternino, Palazzetto dello Sport | All year round, 8am to 3pm |
| 4th Sunday of the month | Ostuni, Villa Comunale | Additionally in July, August and September |
| Last Sunday of the month | Ceglie Messapica, Piazza Sant'Antonio | 8am to 4pm, until 8pm in summer |
| Last Sunday of the month | Lecce, via XX Settembre | All year round, an outing for a whole Sunday |
Dates can shift with the seasons, especially in winter. Just ask us before you set off; we know which market is worth the trip on any given weekend.
What you will find, and how to haggle
Typical spoils: hand-painted ceramics from Grottaglie, old linen with monograms, brass and copper from farmhouse kitchens, bottles in apothecary green and, every now and then, a piece that looks as if it had always belonged in a trullo. Haggling is part of the fun and may be friendly: a smile, a sincere counter-offer, and you will usually meet in the middle.
Here too: come early. Traders set up from around 8 am, the best pieces change hands in the morning, and around noon the market winds down over an aperitivo on the piazza.
Common questions about the antiques markets
When is the antiques market in Ostuni? Every second Sunday of the month, and additionally on the fourth Sunday in July, August and September. Much of it takes place in the Villa Comunale, the small town park.
Which antiques markets are there in the Valle d'Itria? Ostuni on the second Sunday, Martina Franca and Cisternino on the third, Ceglie Messapica and Lecce on the last Sunday of the month.
When is the best time to go? In the morning. Traders set up around 8am, the finest pieces change hands early, and the market winds down towards midday.
Can you haggle at the antiques markets? Yes, and it is part of the fun. A smile and a serious counter-offer are enough, and you usually meet in the middle.
Do the markets also take place in winter? Most of them do, but dates and times can shift with the season. Ask us before your outing and we will check for you.
Many of the finds at Borgo Fianco a Fianco and Palazzotto Fianco a Fianco come from precisely these markets. If you prefer fresh produce to old treasures: our favourite weekly markets.
Availability & booking