Popular areas for shopping in Rome

A quick overview of the popular areas for shopping in Rome.  This is one city that manages to combine small individual shops with the ultimate fashion houses and a scattering of high street megastores so there is something for every visitor to enjoy.

The most interesting shops can usually be found off the beaten track so keep your eyes open when exploring some of the sights of Rome. Tailors shops, classic leather workers, street markets and gorgeous antique shops make for some interesting browsing. Great value souvenirs include local leather goods especially Italian shoes; designer handbags, handmade paper, art prints, kitchenware and small antiques. Wines, freshly pressed olive oil, coffee beans and cheeses also make great gifts, provided they do not contravene strict customs restrictions when being imported.

The Trident area is where several small streets intersect and are home to the couture houses such as Chanel, Fendi and Louis Vuitton on Via del Corso and Via del Babuino. Via dei Condotti has Gucci, Prada, Armani and Versace but prices remain high on their exclusive products.

Window Shopping on Via Cola di Rienzo

For the serious window-shopper, stroll along the Via Cola di Rienzo, a wide boulevard with ample cafés and boutiques and the fascinating food specialty shop, Castroni.

Smaller boutiques in Rome can be found in the neighborhood of Monti and include cashmere, arty jewelry and stylish accents for the home. The streets around the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon are also worth browsing the boutiques. Trastevere is traditionally the area to find good tailors and ethnic or club-oriented shops.

More familiar high street retailers such as Zara, Benetton and Diesel are on the jam-packed Via del Corso along with bookshops and music stores. The Art Deco Galleria Alberto Sordi is actually a small shopping mall and is across the road from La Rinascente, one of Rome’s few department stores.  Update:   There’s no longer the La Rinascente.  You will find a Zara in it’s place.

Quality antiques can be found in abundance along the Via dei Coronari which has everything from Italian furniture to paintings. Antique fairs are held here during May and October. Bargain hunters may also enjoy the Sunday street market at Porta Portese where antique treasures are mixed with some real junk!

In tourist areas most shops are open continuously from 9.30am to about 7.30pm, although family-run small businesses may close for lunch from 1-3pm. Many shops close on Sunday and Monday, and still during August some businesses close for the month, allowing the owners to escape the city heat and head for the coast for a vacation.