Just a stone’s throw from Piazza Navona, the Campo de’ Fiori is one of the most picturesque squares in Rome. The program includes it’s lovely bars and restaurants as well as its historic architecture have made it a must-see for any visitor exploring Rome!
Follow the guide!
💡 The Captain’s tip 💡
🧐 Want to know more about the history of Rome? Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city (in English). It’s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!
💤 Are you looking for a hotel in Rome? Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Rome? Advice & recommendations
🏛 Are you planning your stay in Rome? Check out Captain Ulysses’ detailed article on the best things to do in the city: A Guide to Rome
👶 Planning a family adventure to Rome? Discover all of the Captain’s top tips in the article: Exploring Rome with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities.
Brief history of Campo de’ Fiori
In ancient Rome, the Campo de’ Fiori was a vast meadow stretching between the Tiber and Pompey’s Theatre. The area remained a pasture until the 15th century, hence its name: Campo de’ Fiori, “field of flowers” in English.
Why? The Tiber is a capricious river and floods are frequent. Until the Renaissance, Roman builders were careful not to exploit this flood zone.
But in the 15th century, Pope Calixtus III had the Campo de Fiori paved and rehabilitated the surrounding area: the rione (=district) Parione. Numerous buildings (inns, shops, workshops…) were then built around the square, which became a meeting place for the Romans. A horse market was held on the Campo de’ Fiori twice a week.

But the Campo de’ Fiori was also the scene of many public executions. It was here that in 1600 the monk and philosopher Giordano Bruno – a proponent of the theory of heliocentrism in the wake of Copernicus’ work – was executed for heresy. In 1889, the sculptor Ettore Ferrari erected a commemorative statue on the exact spot where Giordano Bruno was burned alive almost three centuries earlier.
Since 1869, the square has been home to a fruit and vegetable market every weekday morning except on Sundays. In the afternoon, the market stalls give way to countless café terraces.

Visiting the Campo de’ Fiori
The market of Campo de’ Fiori
Attention, foodies and gourmet lovers! The market of Campo de’ Fiori is a must-see for any visitor exploring the Italian capital.
with Fruit and vegetables, herbs, olive oil, spices, pasta, fresh fish, meat, poultry and all kinds of local products.
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or a flat, this is a great place to shop. But beware, some stalls are tourist traps. The Captain’s advice: follow the locals and avoid the flashy stalls!
A final word of warning: watch out for pickpockets and keep an eye on your valuables!

The statue of Giordano Bruno
Erected on the exact spot where the Dominican monk was burned alive, the statue of Giordano Bruno has stood in the Campo de’ Fiori since 1889, although the Vatican has worked hard to have it removed from the famous square.
Facing the residence of the popes, the statue has become a symbol of freedom of expression.
The base of the statue features the following inscription: A BRUNO – IL SECOLO DA LUI DIVINATO – QUI DOVE IL ROGO ARSE (“To Bruno – the century he foretold – here where the fire burned”).

Dolce Vita at the Campo de’ Fiori
Every afternoon, countless café terraces replace the market stalls. The square is known for its many cafés and restaurants – including the ancient Taverna della Vacca – where Romans and tourists alike meet for a coffee, a glass of wine or a tasty meal.
The surroundings of Campo de’ Fiori
In the Middle Ages, the area around Campo de’ Fiori was the haunt of Roman craftsmen, as evidenced by the names of the streets in the area: Via dei Balestrari (street of the crossbow makers), Via dei Baullari (street of the coffee makers), Via dei Cappellari (street of the hat makers), Via dei Chiavari (street of the locksmiths) and Via dei Giubbonari (street of the tailors).
Even today, the streets around Campo de’ Fiori are full of craft shops. Via dei Giubbonari in particular is a shopper’s delight!
Access
Campo de’ Fiori is located halfway between Palazzo Farnese and Piazza Navona. The nearest bus stop is C.So Vittorio Emanuele/Navona (lines 46, 62, 64, 916, 916F, n46, n98 and n904).
The market is held every morning from Monday to Saturday.
💡FYI 💡
Unlimited access to public transport is included in the Omnia Card and Roma Pass.
👉 More info: Omnia Card / Roma Pass
👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in Rome!
👉 Looking for a hotel in Rome?
👉 Looking for tips and recommendations? Here are all the Captain’s suggestions!
🛏️ Accommodation : to book your accommodation in Rome, Captain Ulysses warmly recommends Booking:
– the best hostels
– the best affordable hotels
– the best mid-range hotels
– the best high-end hotels
🎟️ Activities: as for booking visits and tourist activities, Captain Ulysses recommends three websites: GetYourGuide , Tiqets and Civitatis. Guided tours, cruises, skip-the-line tickets, tourist activities… there’s plenty to choose from!
🎫 Citypass: if you are staying in Rome for several days, it may be worth investing in the Roma Pass or the Omnia Card . As well as entry to some of the capital’s most iconic sites, these passes include access to public transport.
🚐 Transfers: if you want to arrive in Rome serenely, you can book your transfer from the airport to the city centre in advance. A car will be waiting to take you to your accommodation in the city. For more information: transfers in Rome.
🚌 Local transport: Rome has a comprehensive public transport system: metro, bus and tram. Access to public transport is included in the Roma Pass and the Omnia Card. If you wish, you can also opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour which stops at all the top tourist attractions in Rome (audio guide included).
✈️ Flights and trains: to book your flights to Rome, Captain Ulysses warmly recommends Skyscanner. You’ll be able to compare countless offers to find the best deal. If your dates are flexible, you can also compare prices over several months to find the cheapest flights possible.
For flights as well as trains and buses, the Captain recommends Omio.
Credits
Andy Montgomery | Stephanie Kraus | Frank Schmidtke | Francesca Soria
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