Weekly Local Markets – Tailored Puglia App

Weekly local markets in Puglia offer a glimpse into traditional life, with each town hosting a market once a week.

These markets offer a variety of local products, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, and regional specialties like “burrata” and “mozzarella” cheeses. Beyond food, there are stalls selling clothing and household items. Markets are usually open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Visiting these markets is a great experience, even if you’re not planning to buy anything, especially for food enthusiasts who love exploring local culinary offerings. For those on self-catering holidays, markets are an ideal place to buy fresh ingredients at lower prices than supermarkets, often with higher quality and freshness. Locals not only shop at these markets but also socialize, often building trust-based relationships with their preferred vendors over time.

For visitors, it can be challenging to know which stall to choose, but these markets are the best places to find fresh and affordable produce. If you prefer dining out instead of cooking, there are also guides to the best restaurants in Puglia.

Touch the food: yes or no?

At some stalls, sellers won’t allow you to touch the items, while at others, you’ll be given bags to choose your produce. The latter lets you pick what you prefer, but consider how many hands have touched the items you’re taking home.

Too many questions?

Sellers may ask how you plan to use the products (frying, boiling, etc.) to help you choose the best item for your purpose or based on when you plan to eat it.

Check the queue!

A long queue doesn’t always mean better quality—it might just be due to affordability or the trust of regular customers in the vendor.

A source of inspiration

Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, walking through the market can inspire you and help you discover what is local, seasonal, or commonly used in the area’s restaurants.

Don’t go too late

Markets usually end around noon, so going early ensures a better selection and fresher products, especially in the summer.

You can say “no”

Sellers may try to round up quantities, but you’re not obligated to agree. Feel free to say no.

Ask if you can tast

You can ask to “assaggiare” (taste) products before buying, and sometimes sellers will offer samples on their own.

Useful Terms for Apulian Markets

– Etto: 100 grams.
– Busta/Sacchetto: Bag.
– Mazzo: Bunch (for vegetables).
– Cestino: Basket (for fruit).
– Pezzo: Piece (for fruit/vegetables).

Below are the opening days of the main weekly markets in Puglia.

Mondays:

Andria – Viale Gramsci (near by the Villa Comunale)

Vieste – Lungomare Europa

Lecce – Viale dello Stadio

Cisternino – Via Dante Alighieri and Regina Margherita

Tuesdays:

Monopoli – Piazza Falcone e Borsellino, Via Palmiro Togliatti, Via Benedetto Croce, ViaTrieste, Via Pisonio

Noci – Piazza G. Garibaldi

Wednesdays:

Martina Franca – from Via Giulio Recupero to Piazza D’Angiò

Putignano – C.so Umberto I