Experience Italian market culture - between everyday life, enjoyment and encounters
Italy without a visit to the market?
Hard to imagine. Markets are as much a part of everyday life here as an espresso in the morning. They are lively, smell of ripe fruit, fresh bread and herbs – and tell you more about the country and its people than any travel guide. Hardly any other country in Europe has so many weekly markets, farmers’ markets, flower markets and antique markets.
Especially in the south, away from the big tourist crowds, markets are a real window into authentic Italian life. And it is precisely this Italy that you can discover in Cilento – for example during a stay at the A’ Cràpa Mangia estate.
Markets in Italy: lively, diverse and present everywhere
Whether you live in a big city or a small village, there is a market almost everywhere in Italy at least once a week. They are usually centrally located, in a piazza or along the main street – you can hardly miss them. The offer also varies depending on the size of the town: In small villages there are often only a few stalls, in larger towns there can easily be 50 to 100 or more.
At Italian weekly markets you will find much more than just food. In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, sausage, meat, fish and regional specialties, you can also find clothing, leather goods, household items, beach towels and souvenirs. This is particularly handy on vacation – whether you are looking for something for the beach or a special souvenir. Hungry or thirsty? No problem. Street food stalls are almost always included.
Markets in Cilento: regional, relaxed and personal
What makes Italian markets special is the quality of the produce. Many products come directly from local farmers and are fresher than anything you’ll find in the supermarket. Olives, lemons, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, salami, olive oil or wine – you can taste the origin and craftsmanship here.
A visit to the market is a real highlight for self-caterers. If you are staying in a vacation home or apartment, you can stock up on fresh ingredients and enjoy a relaxed vacation. In Cilento, where A’ Cràpa Mangia is located, the markets are pleasantly manageable. Here, it’s less about quantity and more about exchange. A few words with the trader, a taste here, a smile there – that’s how closeness is created.
Our insider tips for the weekly market in Santa Maria di Castellabate
If you are traveling in Cilento or staying with us at A’ Cràpa Mangia, you should definitely visit the weekly market in Santa Maria di Castellabate. Here you can discover regional specialties of the best quality – and meet people who sell their products with heart and passion.
Our favorite stalls:
Ana was born in Argentina and sells delicious cheese specialties such as scamorza, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and other regional cheeses at her small stall – accompanied by fine cold meats.
For the freshest fruit and vegetables at the market, we recommend Giacomo, who greets you with a broad smile whatever the weather. He sells popular Italian leafy vegetables that are still little known abroad, such as cime di rapa or puntarelle – be sure to try them!
Ana
Giacomo
And then there are Salvatore and Maria, true originals of the market. Never at a loss for a saying or a compliment, they sell delicacies such as nuts, olives, figs, spices and sweets – perfect for a picnic by the sea or as a souvenir from Cilento.
Salvatore
Mary
This market is not just a shopping destination, but an experience: here you can experience Italian life, hospitality and the joy of good food at first hand – a little piece of Cilento to take home with you.
Why a visit to the market in Italy is so special
In Italy, a market is never just a place to shop. It is a meeting place, a stage and a communication space. This is where news is exchanged, recipes are discussed and everyday stories are told. Between shouts, laughter and the clinking of coins, you can sense how much this market culture is part of the Italian identity.
Markets are therefore particularly valuable for travelers: they enable encounters, provide insights into everyday life and allow you to experience Italy unadulterated. And it is precisely these moments that you can enjoy in Cilento – far away from the mass tourism of the Amalfi Coast.
Arrive, immerse yourself, stay
If you don’t just want to visit Italy, but really experience it, then these are the moments that stay with you: a visit to the market, a conversation, the smell of fresh fruit in your pocket.
A’ Cràpa Mangia is the perfect starting point. Quietly located in Cilento, close to markets, villages and real Italian life. Book your apartment and be inspired by the unspoiled charm of Cilento.