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Rome offers wide-ranging shopping experiences, but we think that best of
Rome's shopping opportunities can be found in independent stores and
boutiques lining the narrow lanes scattered throughout the city.
We have found our most enjoyable shops, those we consider undiscovered
treasures, while walking between Rome's magnificent attractions. Of course, Rome also offers
brand-name, luxury stores that are always fun to shop.
 If you are looking for quality leather goods (shoes, handbags, belts),
unique jewelry, or authentic Italian lingerie, stores in Rome offer a wide
selection of these signature products.
The best area for shopping in Rome can be found in a triangular
shaped zone with its base running near Via dei Condotti between the Piazza
di Spagna (at the Spanish Steps) and Via del Corso that runs along the Via
del Corso and Via dei Babuino up to the Piazza del Popolo. Our map shows
major shopping streets in this area – click anywhere on the map to see
a tinted outline highlighting this area.
The majority of the shops in the list below offer women's fashion.
We have added identifiers to the stores whose names may be unfamiliar to
you. We have arranged the list by major shopping streets and list the
main stores that you will find along their extents. Look, touch, feel,
wander and have a wonderful time exploring the best shops in Rome.
On Via Borgognona
 - Fendi,
Versace, Tanino Crisci (leather),
Massimiliano Seromoneta (men's clothing), Moschino (women's), Brighenti
Boutique (women's),
Roberto Cavalli (men's and women's fashion).
On Via dei Condotti
- Armani, Cartier, Bulgari, Dior, Ferragamo, Gucci, La Perla
(lingerie),
Sogo Prada, Louis Vuitton, A.
Testoni (men's), Valentino (women's), Blunauta (women's), as well as the Antico Caffe, one
of Rome's famous coffee bars..
On Via del Corso
- Benetton, Fendi, Zara and a variety of mid-level
shops, plus the La Rinascente department store.
On Piazza di Spagna
-
D&G, Missoni, Krizia (women's fashion), Dior, Giorgio Sermoneta (leather gloves), Blunauta, Sergio
Rossi (shoes) and more.
On Via dei Babuino
- Channel, Tiffany, Valentino
(women's fashion), Matassi (jewelry), Jil Sander (women's fashion) and Tad (
designer household goods and more), Sandro Ferrone (women's fashion), as well as art and
antiques towards the Piazza del Popolo and to the east along Via Margutta.
Take Via Margutta only if you are looking for art and antiques, although you
will find some specialty jewelry here.
On Via Frattina
- Max
Mara, Flavio Castellani (women's fashion), Cesare Paciotti (shoes), Patrizia Pepe
(women's fashion), Tru Trussadi (leather goods), Frey Wille (jewelry),
Stefanel (women's fashion), Andrea Fabiani (shoes), Marella (women's
fashion), Fonari and Fonari (luxury household goods), Martini
(Gioiellleri - jewelry), Tusseda (lingerie) and other
boutique clothing stores.
A couple of shopping tips are in order. Although major stores will
be open during the day and into the early evening, smaller shops may keep a
schedule that runs from 9am to 1pm and then reopen from 3:30 to 7 or 7:30pm.
August is the month when all of Italy seems to go on vacation and you may
find many of the smaller shops and boutiques closed for a few weeks during
August (usually near the start of the month).
If you want to find bargains, the best shops, consider hiring a local
personal shopper to work up an itinerary that would reflect your shopping
choices. Many hotels can recommend these services. Just Google a
phrase like "personal shopping advisors + Rome" for possible assistance.
There are several street markets in Rome. It is our opinion that none of them offer good
value, although finding out what's available and the cost is often half the
fun. Campo di
Fiori is Rome's leading outdoor market and its oldest. It is focused
on food and flowers although other items can be found here. It is open in
the early mornings on weekdays and the actions drops off after 11am.
Campo di Fiore is a noted haven for pick pockets and "bag grabbers" so be forewarned. In
addition, read through our section on
Safety
and Security for additional tips on safety during travel.
There is a flea market on Sundays in the Trastevere neighborhood near
Porta Portese, but it is
mostly filled with low quality items and not of much interest to serious
shoppers.
Just one more note that might be of interest. According to Italian
Law (Law 80 of May 14, 2005), anyone caught buying counterfeit goods (for
example, DVD’s, CD’s, watches, purses, bags, belts, sunglasses, etc.) is
subject to a fine of no less than EUR 1,000. Police in major Italian cities
enforce this law to varying degrees. Travelers are advised to purchase
products only from stores and other licensed retailers to avoid unknowingly
buying counterfeit and illegal merchandise.
Next - Return to our
Rome Travel Guide Home Page
Or -
Return to Best Places to Visit in Italy
If you need information about another travel destination, try
our
Destination Guide Index
or Googling ThereArePlaces.
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