Fera 'O Luni (Monday Fair)
Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia, Catania, Italy, 95100
In the heart of Catania’s Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia lies one of Sicily’s oldest outdoor public markets, which pulses with activity daily—rain or shine (or the punishing Sicilian heat)—into the early afternoon. A feast for the senses, Fera ‘O Luni is where Catanians hunt for fresh produce, fish, and cheap clothing and housewares—and where tourists seek out local color.
The basics
There’s no secret to visiting Fera ‘O Luni—arrive in Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia around 7am when the market opens, and spend a morning or longer browsing the stalls. While it's not centrally located, you can walk to the market from Catania’s historic center in about 20 minutes. For more local context and a guided shopping experience, book street food and market tours that stop in Fera ‘O Luni and, sometimes, Catania’s famous fish market.
Things to know before you go
Many vendors welcome requests for samples—if you ask nicely.
In Italian markets, fruits and vegetables are usually sold by the kilogram. Typically, you can ask for a few hundred grams or half a “kilo” at most.
Bring your own shopping bag to help reduce waste.
The market lies in front of Basilica della Madonna del Carmine—step inside to see Carmelite stained-glass windows.
Although the market is named after Monday (lunedi in Italian), it’s held daily.
How to get there
The Fera ‘O Luni Market is held daily in Piazza Carlo Alberto di Savoia, a sizable public square about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) north of Catania’s historic center, as the crow flies. You can walk or drive to the market, but Catania’s rough traffic can be difficult to navigate for newcomers. If you’re visiting on your own, it’s best to take the Catania Metro (Metropolitana di Catania). Stesicoro is the nearest station.
When to get there
The market is open daily from roughly 7am to 2pm, but it’s best to arrive well before 2pm to see most of the action. If you’re visiting Catania when it's hotter —particularly in July and August—it’s best to visit as early in the morning as possible to avoid the worst of the grueling Mezzogiorno heat.
How to shop in Sicily’s street markets
Shopping in a Sicilian street market is much different from a visit to your neighborhood supermarket. Vendors sell most food items by the kilogram (al kilo) in intervals of 100 grams (un etto). There are more than 2 pounds in a kilogram, and you will likely never require a full kilo of anything. If you’re unsure how many kilos or etti are needed, mention how many people you need to feed. You can always haggle over prices.
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