Italy has a long-standing culture of outdoor markets — the mercato as a weekly social institution predates both the fashion industry and organised retail. The secondhand clothing market has grown within and alongside this structure, adding to existing flea markets, generating dedicated mercatini dell'usato, and more recently migrating partly onto national and pan-European digital platforms.
This is a city-by-city reference to the main venues and formats where secondhand clothing changes hands in Italy. Operating days and times are subject to change; verify current schedules with each market's municipal or organisational authority before visiting.
Rome
Rome is home to the largest open-air flea market in Italy by footprint and vendor count.
Porta Portese
Held every Sunday from approximately 6:00 to 14:00 in the Trastevere neighbourhood, Porta Portese stretches from Porta Portese gate along Via Portuense and adjacent streets. The market has operated continuously since 1945, originally as a trade in goods and materials displaced by the war economy. Clothing currently constitutes a substantial share of its stock — estimates from municipal counts suggest several hundred dedicated clothing vendors on a typical Sunday.
The range spans genuinely worn second-hand items at very low prices (€1–€5 for basic items), curated vintage with recognisable brand labels at €20–€100, and new-old-stock goods of uncertain provenance. Navigation requires time; the market is not organised by category.
The main access points are Trastevere station (Roma–Lido line) and Tram 8 from Largo di Torre Argentina.
Mercato di Piazza Vittorio
An established neighbourhood market in the Esquilino district, held Monday through Saturday, that includes a small but consistent section of secondhand clothing alongside food and household goods. Prices are generally lower than Porta Portese; the stock is less curated but more frequently refreshed.
Milan
Milan's secondhand market is characterised by a higher proportion of fixed-location shops relative to open-air markets, and by generally higher prices than other Italian cities.
Mercatone dell'Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande
Held on the last Sunday of each month along the Naviglio Grande canal. The market is primarily antiques and decorative objects, but clothing — particularly vintage and pre-owned designer — is consistently present. Prices reflect the market's positioning as an upscale antique fair rather than a general flea market.
Fixed-location used clothing shops (Zona Porta Genova)
The area around Porta Genova station in Milan's Navigli district has historically had the highest concentration of negozi dell'usato in the city. Individual shop stock and quality vary; the area repays walking rather than targeting specific addresses, as turnover among individual shops is significant.
Vinted.it
The Lithuanian peer-to-peer resale platform has significant penetration in Italy. As of 2025, Vinted reported several million Italian users. The platform is particularly strong for women's clothing in sizes 38–46 (Italian sizing). Prices on Vinted for non-designer items are typically higher than open-air markets but lower than vintage boutiques, with the advantage of search functionality and buyer protection.
Naples
Naples has a dense informal secondhand market embedded in the city's broader outdoor commerce culture.
Mercatino di Antignano
Located in the Vomero hill district, this daily market (closed Sundays) includes a significant clothing section alongside fresh produce. Practical clothing — workwear, outerwear, basic separates — appears at lower price points than comparable venues in Rome and Milan. The market caters primarily to local buyers rather than visitors.
Via Sant'Anna dei Lombardi and surrounding streets
The area around Piazza Municipio and the Via Toledo axis supports several fixed-location secondhand clothing dealers. These are not tourist-facing businesses; negotiation is expected and assumed.
Turin
Turin's secondhand market benefits from the city's industrial heritage and its historically high density of skilled garment workers.
Balon
Turin's Balon market, held every Saturday in the Borgo Dora neighbourhood, is one of the oldest continuously operating flea markets in northern Italy. A larger version, the Gran Balon, takes place on the second Sunday of each month. Clothing — particularly workwear, outerwear, and vintage Italian sportswear — is well represented. The Gran Balon attracts dealers from across the Piedmont region.
Florence
Mercato delle Cascine
Held every Tuesday along the Arno river in the Cascine park, this is Florence's largest general market and includes a section of secondhand and surplus clothing. The market is primarily used by Florentine residents rather than visitors to the city and prices reflect this. Size ranges are wide and the condition of individual items varies considerably.
Mercato di Piazza dei Ciompi
A small permanent antique and flea market in the Santa Croce neighbourhood. Clothing is present but secondary to furniture and decorative objects. Prices are higher than Cascine; the stock is more curated and the turnover slower.
Bologna
Mercatino dell'Usato in Piazza VIII Agosto
The monthly flea market in Piazza VIII Agosto is one of the better-organised open-air secondhand markets in Emilia-Romagna. The market runs on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month and includes dedicated clothing vendors alongside household and decorative items. Bologna's student population generates consistent supply of clothing in younger adult sizes.
Online secondhand in Italy
Beyond Vinted, the classified advertising platform Subito.it (operated by Adevinta) carries a large volume of secondhand clothing listings, particularly for items that are too large or fragile to ship easily — outerwear, shoes, and occasion garments. Subito facilitates local collection, which eliminates shipping costs and allows physical inspection before purchase.
The pan-European platform Depop has a smaller but active Italian user base, concentrated among younger sellers (under 30) and typically focused on curated vintage and contemporary streetwear.
For what to look for when buying at these markets, see How to Build a Thrift Wardrobe in Italy. For modifying garments after purchase, see Upcycling Guide: Giving Old Clothes New Life.
Last updated: May 1, 2026. Sources: municipal market authorities, ISTAT, direct observation 2023–2026.