Weekly markets in Imperia and the surrounding area: a guide to summer shopping at the markets along the coast and in the hinterland
Exploring the weekly markets of the Riviera di Ponente during the summer season allows you to experience the region’s agricultural produce and craftsmanship at first hand. Far removed from the commercial routes of large-scale retailers, these markets offer the chance to discover local produce and the gastronomic specialities of the province of Imperia. A detailed map of the local markets will guide you to the most authentic stalls, where producers from the hinterland bring the fruits of their labour every day.
The main weekly markets on the Imperia coast
The Imperia coast is home to some of the largest and most historic markets in western Liguria. Each market has its own distinct character, linked to the urban and commercial history of the various towns.
Imperia Oneglia: Wednesday and Saturday mornings
The weekly market in Oneglia takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the central areas around Piazza Goito and the neighbouring streets. It is one of the markets most frequented by residents for their food shopping. The section dedicated to local farmers is the real highlight: this is where growers from the Impero Valley, the Prino Valley and the Albenga plain gather to sell fruit and vegetables harvested in the early hours of the morning.
Imperia Porto Maurizio: Thursday mornings
On Thursday mornings, the market moves to Porto Maurizio, winding its way along the historic Via Cascione, much of which has recently been pedestrianised. This market has a more intimate atmosphere than the one in Oneglia, perfect for a stroll in the shade of the nineteenth-century arcades. As well as food stalls, there is a good selection of stalls selling clothing, home textiles and haberdashery.
Sanremo: Tuesday and Saturday mornings
In Piazza Eroi Sanremesi, a short distance from the historic centre of the ‘City of Flowers’, a large market is held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Alongside the section dedicated to general goods, the adjacent covered Mercato Annonario (open daily from Monday to Saturday) is a must-visit for anyone looking for local cheeses, cured meats, fresh herbs and cut flowers grown on the hills around Sanremo.
Ventimiglia: the Friday market
On Fridays, Ventimiglia hosts one of Europe’s largest markets, which stretches along the seafront and through the streets of the town centre. Given its proximity to the French border, it attracts large crowds all year round, but in summer it’s advisable to get there very early. As well as leather goods and clothing, the nearby Mercato Coperto offers a vast selection of Ligurian and Piedmontese specialities.
What to buy at the markets in summer: the finest fruit and vegetables
Summer is the season of greatest variety for agriculture in western Liguria. At the stalls of small-scale farmers, you can find unique vegetable varieties, grown on the terraced fields of the hinterland:
- The ‘Cuor di Bue’ tomato: characterised by its large size, irregular shape and ribbed skin, it has firm flesh, almost devoid of water and seeds. At summer markets, it is sold at various stages of ripeness; locals prefer it when the ridges are still slightly green, ideal for eating raw with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- The ‘Trombetta’ courgette: typical of the Ponente region, it owes its name to its elongated, twisted shape, which ends in a bulge. Compared to ordinary courgettes, it has an extremely firm flesh and a sweet, delicate flavour reminiscent of hazelnuts. It is eaten raw in thin slices, stir-fried or as the main ingredient in Ligurian savoury tarts.
- Vessalico Garlic: grown in the upper Arroscia Valley, it is a Slow Food Presidium known for its intense aroma yet is extremely easy to digest. It is sold at summer markets packed in traditional braids (known as ‘reste’), which ensure the bulbs keep perfectly for several months.
- Genoese Basil PDO: at summer markets, it is sold in fresh bunches, with the roots still wrapped in damp paper. It is recognisable by its small to medium-sized, convex leaves and a fragrance free from any hint of menthol, which is essential for making fresh pesto in a mortar.
Local crafts and olive wood artefacts
At the weekly markets along the coast and at some seasonal markets in the hilltop villages – such as those held periodically in Dolcedo on summer Sundays – there is also a place for olive wood crafts. The pruning and harvesting of Taggiasca olive trees provide a hard, veined and durable raw material, ideal for creating kitchen utensils:
- Chopping boards and mortars: carved directly from sections of the trunk, they retain the wood’s natural grain and are treated exclusively with food-grade oil to preserve their shine and water resistance.
- Spoons and spatulas: handmade, they do not absorb food odours and withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
- Printed textiles: specialist stalls offer tablecloths and tea towels in linen or unbleached cotton, featuring prints that evoke traditional Ligurian and Provençal motifs, a testament to the historic cultural and commercial ties between the two sides of the border.
Davide’s Tip: If you decide to visit the weekly open-air markets in July and August, the summer heat can quickly become noticeable from the early hours of the morning. My advice is to arrive no later than 8.30 am. At this time, the farmers’ stalls are still fully stocked with the finest early produce, the temperatures are bearable, and you’ll find parking much more easily, as many central streets are closed to traffic to allow the stalls to be set up. Always carry reusable canvas bags and small change with you: local small-scale producers prefer these to make giving change easier during peak hours.