Rome Shopping Guide
If shopping is an important part of your trips, you will not be disappointed in Rome. In the Italian capital you will find a great selection of common items up to the finest international designer outlets.
Gastronomy
Via Condotti, the most glamorous shopping district
Rome souvenirs
Limoncello Shop
Very few travellers would dare to say that they have been to Rome without having bought pasta. You will find pasta of all kinds, smells and flavours all over the city, both in supermarkets and in speciality stores. The most extravagant varieties can cost up to €3 for a 500 gram bag.
Other important products, especially as gifts, are bottles of limoncello, oils and vinegars. If you like Parmesan cheese, they are significantly better and also cheaper in Rome than in other countries.
If you want to save money you will be able to find all of these products in any supermarket, although you could not say that they are abundant in the city.
Fashion
The Italian love of fashion is well known and the fact is that, although it is not Milan, Rome has some of the best designer stores.
If you do not have a limited budget you will find the main boutiques in the Via del Corso and in the neighbourhood of the Piazza di Spagna, where the Via dei Condotti ends. In this street you will find designer stores such as Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari or Armani. The famous Via Veneto also offers the same standard.
If what you are looking for is an imitation bag or other product, the number of people who sell copies along the street will surprise you. Buying a "Gucci" bag for €10 will help your budget.
Art and antiques
The majority of art and antique shops are found in the Via del Babuino, on the street going to the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza del Popolo. The parallel street, the Via Margutta, is also worth looking at.
Souvenirs and gifts
In Rome you will find many souvenir shops as well as dozens of street stalls in the most important tourist spots. If you know how to bargain well, you will be able to obtain figurines and other souvenirs at very interesting prices.
Shopping centres
Unlike in the majority of the European cities, you will not find many shopping centres in Rome. The closest you will get is the Galleria Alberto Sordi, located in the Via del Corso near the Piazza Colonna. It opens every day from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Street markets
Lovers of street purchases will find diverse street markets in Rome:
- Porta Portese Market: It only opens Sunday mornings and is located in the streets close to Trastevere Railway Station. It is a traditional street market.
- Mercato dei Fiori: It opens in the mornings and mainly sells flowers and vegetables. It is located in the Campo dei Fiori and is a very colourful market.
- Piazza Fontanella Borghese Market: It opens every morning except Sundays and sells books and antiques. It is near the Piazza di Spagna.
- Via Sannio Market: Five minutes on the Giovanni metro will bring you to this open market, which is open on weekdays until dinner time. It mainly sells clothing.
