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The 15 best places to go shopping in Rome

It's not a Rome trip without a bit of shopping. Be the envy of your friends back home with our guide to the best

B etween the endless things to do and multiple bowls of pasta you’ll devour on your trip to Rome , you might as well go shopping. Luckily for you, Rome takes shopping very seriously indeed. 

At first glance, you might just expect pricey designer boutiques and jewellers, but you’ll be able to source a ton of vintage and bargain finds too. And if you’re only interested in a spot of window shopping? This is the place. Rome’s best shopping streets are a beauty. Here’s where to go shopping in the Eternal City. 

RECOMMENDED: 🏛️ The best  attractions in Rome 🍝 The best  restaurants in Rome 🏘️ The best  Airbnbs in Rome 🏨 The best  hotels in Rome

This guide was recently updated by Natalie Aldern , a writer based in Rome.  At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines . 

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Where to go shopping in Rome

1.  Monti

If you’re going to start anywhere with your shopping, start here, in Monti. This is the place for strolling through cobbled streets, and dipping into vintage shops and little boutiques. One of the hippest neighborhoods in the city, Monti is filled with independent clothing brands, interior decor shops and quaint, Instagrammable eateries. Pulp Vintage, Humana, Pifebo and Blue Goose are all popular spots for one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Stroll down Via del Boschetto to shop for sartorial styles at Kokoro, global furnishings at Estremi and leather handbags at Sufir. This is the best place to nab a few bits from up-and-coming fashion designers no one has heard of back home.

2.  La Rinascente

La Rinascente, Italy’s iconic department store, has sold luxury goods, fashion and accessories since 1865. It has two locations in Rome: one in Piazza Fiume (near Villa Borghese) and a more central location along Via del Tritone (a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps). You’ll find international designer brands, local artisans, cosmetics, home design, dining and more. La Rinascente isn’t just a shopping destination: it’s a cultural hub where modernity means Italian heritage. At the location on Via del Tritone, you should head below ground to floor -1 to see remnants of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct that dates back to 19BC, and head upstairs to Maio Restaurant & Rooftop for mesmerizing views of the city skyline.

3.  Spanish Steps

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If you think that your trip to Rome simply won’t be complete without splurging on a real Fendi purse, a bauble from Gucci or a wallet from Prada, look no further than the swanky streets fanning out from Piazza di Spagna, or the Spanish Steps. A dizzying amount of credit card debt gets run up on Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, Via del Babuino and Via Frattina because the big players are all here. From Bulgari and Max Mara to Ferragmo and Zegna, the choices are limitless. You'll also find a few local brands squeezed in here, like Il Bisonte which sells leather goods, and plenty of eyeglass shops and perfume boutiques as well. Popular international stores like COS and & Other Stories are located nearby on Via Borgognona.

4.  Via del Governo Vecchio

This pretty street weaves through the Centro Storico, right near Piazza Navona. There are some one-off boutiques and jewellery stores, but the real draws are the vintage finds: several of Rome’s best resale shops are a few doors down from one another. As you leave Piazza Navona, head into Piazza di Pasquino to begin your stroll down this street. Kolby and Wools Boutique sell contemporary menswear, while Silvia and Arlette focus on womenswear. A few of Rome's most popular eateries are located on this street as well for a perfect lunch pause: enjoy thin-crust Roman pizzas at Da Baffetto or classic pastas at Da Tonino. 

5.  Porta Portese

Spending a slow Sunday morning meandering Porta Portese, while guided by whimsy rather than a strict shopping list, is something of a Roman tradition. The weekly flea market is the largest in the city and takes place regardless of the weather. Among the hundreds of stalls erected on the edge of Trastevere you can find new and antique books, furniture, deadstock linens, bins of clothes, handmade accessories, as well as mass-produced baubles. Some sellers have posted prices, but bargaining is both recommended and expected. 

6.  Via dei Coronari

Once upon a time, it was the tradition in Rome – and most everywhere in Italy – for similar stores, studios, and vendors to be clustered on one street. The tradition still holds on Via dei Coronari, a street lined with antique dealers. It’s the place to go for vintage prints and maps, the odd antique Roman bust (or a still-quite-old reproduction), a little piece of estate jewellery or a Biedermeier bedroom set to ship home. A few favorite spots include Essenzialmente Laura for artisanal perfumes, Marta Ray for buttery soft leather ballet flats and handbags, and Lisa Corti for colourful textiles. 

7.  Via del Corso

The name-brand storefronts along Via del Corso include the usual global logos like H&M, Zara and Gap alongside well-known Italian brands like Benetton, Kiko and Intimissimi. This isn’t the best place for a made-in-Rome souvenir, but if you need a pair of jeans, new shoes or just want to shop familiar names, you’ll find them here. If you need assistance with your digital device, be sure to pop into the new Apple store which recently opened in a grand 19th century featuring vaulted ceilings, frescoes and marbled staircases.

8.  Via dell’Oca

A tiny bijoux street tucked away behind Piazza del Popolo, Via dell’Oca has some of Italy's most coveted contemporary artisans and upscale designer boutiques in Rome. You'll find Lucia Odescalchi's avant-garde jewellery atelier next to Patrizia Fabri's dreamy hat workshop which sells dozens of styles for every season and occasion. Hip clothing boutiques include Artisanal Cornucopia, Laura Urbinati and Atelier Bomba — all household names with in-the-know locals. Eau d'Italie, a fragrance brand launched by Le Sirenuse in Positano, also has a shopfront here.

9.  Trastevere

The jumble of streets wedged between Via Garibaldi and Viale Trastevere holds a real treasure trove of one-of-a-kind stores selling gifts, shoes, clothes and oddities. And getting lost during the treasure hunt is half the fun. Don’t miss  18 MQ Vintage Store  for good quality, pre-owned clothes   and  Polvere di Tempo  for antique watches, clocks, sundials, globes and maps. This area is best in the later afternoon when you can hit a cosy bar for an  aperitivo  after your shopping spree.

10.  Via della Scrofa

One of the prettiest streets in Rome, Via della Scrofa has a great mix of dining options, furniture stores and chic boutiques. This is a top area to shop for your pals back home (or just yourself). Container16 Rome is the place to pick up funky kitchen tools, tableware and food books for the gastronomes in your life; Co.Ro. Jewels sells thoughtful jewellery designs inspired by the architecture of Rome; Sirni produces quality leather goods you'll use for decades to come, and Spazioespanso stocks original fashion and accessories for women.

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14 Best Places for Shopping in Rome

By Erica Firpo

When it comes to shopping in Rome, the city has everything; the streets are lined with storefronts of every kind and flavor. But luxe international brands and affordable, fast-fashion stores dominate the landscape, so finding those unforgettable, one-of-a-kind boutiques is an adventure. You'll have to traverse neighborhoods and meander down side streets to find that meticulous leather artisan, the incredible contemporary concept store or one-of-a-kind jewelry designer all hidden in plain sight. Step into these shops and you'll find more than just a beautiful gift, you'll find stories from people who live and love in Rome. And the footwork will be worth it—step into one of these artisans' shops and you'll have a chance to see the real Rome.

Salumeria Volpetti Arrow

Salumeria Volpetti is fabulously stocked neighborhood delicatessen with its namesake meats. Gourmet cheeses, meat, wines, olives, pastas, and pates from all over Italy, as well as some great non-Italian finds. You'll see locals doing their regular prosciutto-and-bread runs, and you won't soon forget the smell: Volpetti has a divine and very savory aroma. Befriend the staff—they know everything about everything, and they'll even let you taste before purchase.

Chez Dédé Arrow

Chez Dédé is an incredible, one-of-a-kind, independent boutique that's also a gallery and atelier. The vibe is funky, rebellious, and retro all at once. Here, designer Daria Reina and artist Andrea Ferolla create luxurious silk scarves, bags, homewares, and limited-edition drawings. There's also a curated selection of chic finds from other brands, including Assouline books, decoupage by John Derian, vintage fragrances by Astier de Villatte, and clothing from an assortment of emerging designers.

L’Archivio di Monserrato Arrow

Soledad Twombly, the designer whose work can be found at L'Archivio di Monserrato, is best known for her custom-designed dresses and textiles, along with her collection of hand-selected antique tea sets, Syrian robes, and Tibetan vases. Visitors will be overcome by the feeling of warmth the moment you walk in—it's as if you were always meant to be here. Make sure to ask to see Twombly's personal favorites, and to try on one of the custom-made coats.

Artisanal Cornucopia Arrow

Artisanal Cornucopia sells a well-curated collection of fashion and design pieces by creators that do good by the shop's name. Expect emerging artists you don't know yet, as well as stars as large and renowned as Aquazzura. Make sure to spend some time chatting with owner Elif Sallorenzo; she's down to earth, and full of great advice—about fashion and Rome in general. And be sure to try on a Benedetta Bruzziches bag—it makes a great souvenir.

Jessica Chapel

Emily Pennington

Charlie Hobbs

Kaitlin Menza

Castroni Arrow

Castroni is the largest of a family-run local chain of historic emporia selling dry goods, coffee, and gourmet foods. This is where Romans come for their speciality items, from hard-to-find American, Japanese, and British products to traditional and small-batch Italian cookies. There's an incredible selection of pricey caviar, but for something a bit more budget conscious, the front counter has a selection of by-the-kilo traditional Italian candies, from licorice to sugary confections.

Maison Halaby Arrow

Maison Halaby, designer Gilbert Halaby's eclectic atelier and gallery, is a wünderkammer of everything handcrafted by the designer himself: scarves, paintings, tea sets, journals, and, most importantly, one-of-a-kind leather hand bags. The shop is a favorite among fashion-industry types who want something entirely unique, so you'll be in stylish company as you browse. If Halaby likes you, you'll be able to sit down for tea and become his friend for life. Otherwise, be warned, you won't get through the door.

La Tradizione Arrow

La Tradizione is a family-owned food emporium like no other. It's loaded with everything you love about Italy—wine, cheese, meats, pasta, sweets, and more—and it's always busy. Here's where you will find very particular regional Italian specialities: fresh ricotta from Roma, yes; tortellini from Bologna, yes; Tiella from Gaetta, yes; bubbles from Lombardia, yes. When you see something that's particularly hard to find elsewhere, just go for it—it may not come back in stock anytime soon.

Delfina Delettrez Arrow

In jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez's flagship store, the vibe is steampunk-mod thanks to a vintage apothecary boiserie. You'll find all of the brand's irreverent designs, including earrings, cuffs, hair clips, rings, and necklaces, as well as some limited-edition pieces. If you're looking for a souvenir that goes beyond the norm—and adds a little funk into your collection—don't leave without snagging something emblazoned with the brand's signature eye-shaped logo, like the Marry Me Eyes and Lips ring, featuring diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.

Le Gallinelle Arrow

Le Gallinelle, practically a Rome landmark, is a temple to creative, custom-made clothing by designer Wilma Silvestri, whose creations are like hand-stitched, wearable works of art. Tempting though it may be to buy an entirely new wardrobe, if you're looking for one piece make it a printed, three-quarters-length spring skirt—it's something you can wear with anything and anywhere. Silvestri's work over more than 30 years has cultivated a loyal fandom among Rome's old-school hipsters.

Re[f]use Arrow

As its curiously punctuated name suggests, Re[f]use is a one-of-a kind accessories and interiors boutique that's full of quirks and surprises. With fabulous cuffs made from recycled beer cans, armchairs from street signs, handbags from fabric remnants, the shop is all about sustainable fashion made with upcycled objects, waste material, and recycled fabrics. You'll also see plenty of pieces by Ilaria Venturini Fendi—yes, that Fendi.

Antica Cartotecnica Arrow

Antica Cartotecnica, a yesteryear boutique dedicated to the art of writing, is particular about what it stocks: Montblancs and Lamys hang out with vintage Italian pencils, the shop's own custom-made diaries, and other writing-craft delights. Make sure to inspect every cabinet: Antica Cartotecnica is also an unofficial museum that celebrates the history of writing. It's enough to make you want to put away the laptop and sharpen up that old-fashioned cursive.

FG Albertelli Roma Arrow

FG Albertelli Roma is a traditional Neapolitan tailor with a chic, decidedly contemporary style. The shop creates beautiful made-to-measure men's suits, jackets, dress shirts, and ties, as well as its own line of ready-to-wear jersey T-shirts, sweaters, leather and canvas bags, hats and scarves, and fabulous cufflinks— a collaboration with jewelry designer Salini. If you can't afford a whole new wardrobe, just go for a custom-fitted spring overcoat or a personalized dress shirt.

Dario Alfonsi Arrow

Dario Alfonsi is a one-of-a-kind leather craft workshop and boutique where you'll find handcrafted chairs, belts, handbags, as well as restored design pieces. The man behind the magic, for whom the shop is named, is an artisan who expresses himself with his hands—be sure to ask him about his dyeing techniques and about the history of the building. Your fellow shoppers are probably also worth a chat—they'll be a super-stylish, design-conscious bunch on the hunt for pieces to upgrade their living room.

Co.Ro. Jewels Arrow

Co.Ro. Jewels is a tiny atelier and boutique specializing in contemporary jewelry design. Owners Costanza De Cecco and Giulia Giannini create handcrafted art jewelry pieces inspired by architecture, travel, Italy, and more, and the vibe is young, creative, and original. Make it a point to ask for De Cecco and Giannini and find out what projects and collaborations they have coming up, and don't leave without picking up one of the more affordable items, like the Little Beam rose gold ring.

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17 Best Shopping Streets to Visit in Rome

Thanks to the Italian capital’s gigantic size, shopping in Rome is always a fun experience. There are countless shopping streets in Rome, each with its unique draw and personality. The range of options may feel overwhelming, though, so I’ll help you pick your favorite ones.

Bookmark your favorite shops so that, depending on your preferences and budget, you won’t miss any of the fantastic deals or upscale items next time you visit. And get ready for that rush of excitement only a good shopping splurge can make us feel!

Table of Contents

Top shopping streets in Rome

1. via dei condotti.

Via dei Condotti had to top our list not only for being the most luxurious of all shopping streets in Rome but also for its monumental perspective leading up to the Spanish Steps and the Church of Trinità dei Monti perched on top.

From Prada to Gucci and from Dior to Hermès, each of your favorite luxury brands, Italian and international, has a flagship boutique on Via Condotti.

This is a premium spot for jewelry shopping as well, as Bulgari, Cartier, Damiani, Tiffany’s, and Montblanc are all located here too.

2. Via del Corso

Running for a mile through the heart of downtown, Via del Corso is by all accounts the most important shopping street in Rome. There’s hardly anything you won’t find on the street, from books to toys, from lingerie to gelato, and from perfumes to sportswear.

Household names of the retailer world make it a point to open a location here, among which Adidas, Apple, Diesel, Foot Locker, Guess, Havaianas, Levi’s, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Sephora, Swatch, Vans — just to mention a few. Fast-fashion titans like H&M, Zara, and Mango wouldn’t of course be left out.

What’s more, Via del Corso, which has ancient origins, is lined with landmarks from all eras of Roman history, including late-Renaissance masterpieces like Palazzo Chigi, the official seat of the Italian government. 

3. Via dei Coronari

Leading from Piazza Navona toward Ponte Sant’Angelo and the Mausoleum of Hadrian on the other side of the Tiber, Via dei Coronari was long Rome’s no. 1 secondhand hub.

Those shops were eventually upgraded into antique dealers, many of which are there to this day. Recently, however, clothing and gift shops have been popping up along Via dei Coronari as well. Leather goods are another common sight along the street.

When you stroll through Via dei Coronari, make sure you swing by Gelateria del Teatro and savor one of the tastiest gelatos in the capital.

4. Via Frattina

The couture brands that didn’t find room on Via dei Condotti, such as Boss, are a mere two blocks south on Via Frattina and the adjacent Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina. Some, like Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Max Mara, are on both. 

In other news, Via Condotti’s underrated cousin is the place to go if you want to discover exclusive designers that have yet to go mainstream, such as Patrizia Pepe, and to people-watch at an outdoor table of one of its inviting cafes. 

5. Via del Governo Vecchio

Winding through the southern end of Piazza Navona all the way to the tiny Piazza del’Orologio, Via del Governo Vecchio makes up for its modest size with a quintessentially Roman ambiance.

Vintage items are the street’s main merchandise — here you’ll retrieve both record players and clothes from the 1960s a couple of feet from one another.

There’s also Altroquando, a bookstore specializing in cinema, and a dozen one-of-a-kind shops all along it. Since it still flies under the radar of most travelers, Via del Governo Vecchio makes for a leisurely stroll in downtown Rome — which is always a precious experience.

6. Via Borgognona

Running between Via Condotti and Via Frattina, Via Borgognona makes up with the other two the main luxury shopping hub in Rome.

The narrow, virtually car-free street features beloved, if lesser known Italian brands like Zegna, Marina Rinaldi, Loro Piana, Sportmax, and Malo.

7. Via Vittorio Veneto

Despite being only a shadow of its former self, Via Veneto remains one of the most suggestive streets in the Eternal City.

Winding uphill from Piazza Barberini to Porta Pinciana and Villa Borghese, Via Veneto was the epicenter of Roman nightlife in the golden age between the late 50s and the early 60s and it is shown prominently on Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

While a bunch of cafes still line Via Veneto, several are actually tourist traps that seek to take advantage of the street’s everlasting fame. Some classics, like Harry’s Bar, withstood the passage of time, and a few recent additions like Ristorante Cadorin are welcome surprises. 

As for shopping proper, Via Veneto has gift shops and elegant boutiques worth a couple of pitstops along the way.

8. Galleria Alberto Sordi

Galleria Alberto Sordi definitely dwarfs all other shopping malls in Rome, both because it’s stunning and because it’s located on Via del Corso in the heart of the historic core.

At the hundred-year-old arcade, you can shop for toys, clothes, and accessories, or simply sit in the cafes to escape the city’s hustle and bustle under the gallery’s stained-glass ceilings. 

9. Via del Babuino

Linking Piazza del Popolo to Piazza di Spagna, Via del Babuino owes its name to the 16th-century statue pictured above, which Romans dubbed “the baboon” due to its scarce beauty, so to speak.

A tad fancier than Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta, with which it forms a trident leading up to Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino is home to boutiques of brands like Chanel, Emporio Armani, REDValentino, Tiffany’s, Moschino, Etro, and Kenzo, as well as furniture and art shops.

10. Porta Portese

Standing majestically to the south of Trastevere, Porta Portese is further away from the city center than all the other shopping spots on our list. You can ride tram line 3 or 8 from downtown or walk from Trastevere to reach it. 

A visit to the adjacent Via Portuense is worth it for a simple reason: it has been hosting the largest flea market in Rome every Sunday morning for almost 80 years.

Locals and visitors alike flock to Porta Portese to hunt for clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry, luggage, decor items, handicrafts, and everything in between. 

Not everyone enjoys combing through the stalls, yet that’s an ultimately Roman experience worth trying out at least once. By the way, if you find something you like, don’t forget to haggle!

11. Via dei Giubbonari

Via dei Giubbonari links the busy Campo de’ Fiori with the quiet Piazza Cairoli and is another hidden gem in the heart of Rome. 

Here you’ll have the chance to shop for clothing and accessories at Intimissimi and Timberland locations or at lesser-known boutiques, which are quite affordable on average.

If you have the time, sit back to sip on an espresso at the lovely Largo dei Librai, a tiny triangular square nestled in Via dei Giubbonari. 

12. Via Margutta

Pocket-sized Via Margutta is a Roman open secret, as it can only be accessed through Via del Babuino. Home to edgy art galleries and trendy restaurants, this is also a great place to buy antiques, jewels, frames, and carpets. 

Given it’s quiet and well-located, Via Margutta can make a prime address for your accommodation in Rome as well. 

13. Via di Campo Marzio

Running parallel to Via del Corso, Via di Campo Marzio winds through the area between the Pantheon and the Mausoleum of Augustus.

This has been one of the city’s main business hubs from ancient times. Today, it features fancy boutiques and antique and homeware shops.

To the north of the charming Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina, Via di Campo Marzio becomes Via del Leoncino, which runs for a few blocks before ending on the side of Basilica dei Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso.

In the surroundings, you should stop by Palazzo Montecitorio, which houses Italy’s House of Representatives, and by Giolitti, one of the finest gelato shops in town.

14. Via del Pellegrino

Via del Pellegrino was historically called Via degli Orafi (i.e. “Goldsmith Street”), which referenced the jewelry shops that once dominated it. Those early businesses were eventually replaced by more modern ones, but many are still devoted to goldwork. 

Along the street, you’ll come across several other shops specializing in handmade items like homeware and furniture, besides clothing and accessories from local designers. 

Stylish bistros like Barnum Cafè, Reserva Restaurante, and Maccaroni complete Via del Pellegrino’s eclectic mix and give the street the aura of a hidden gem.

15. Via del Boschetto

Via del Boschetto is the main shopping area in Monti, a hilly district squeezed between the Colosseum, Trajan’s Market, and the Quirinal Palace. 

This is Rome’s hippest corner and features designer studios, art galleries, and trendy clothing shops. Though not as budget-friendly as the largest shopping streets in Rome, items here are far less pricey than on Via Condotti and its surroundings.

Drop by on a Saturday to hunt for vintage clothes and accessories at Mercato Monti, the capital’s best thrift market. Cafes are yet another of the street’s strong points. 

16. Via Urbana

Together with Via del Boschetto, with which it forms a T, Via Urbana is the main shopping street in the region between Termini train station and the Roman Forum.

This is the perfect spot to shop without crowds bothering you; they will have flocked to Via Condotti and Via del Corso instead.

On Via Urbana, you’ll get to purchase antiques, furniture, handicrafts, and cool clothes you won’t see anywhere else in Rome .

Come back after dark to enjoy a night out outdoors and pub crawl around the street’s laidback cocktail bars.

17. Via Cola di Rienzo

While the surroundings of the Vatican are predominantly residential, Via Cola di Rienzo concentrates the bulk of businesses in the area. 

It links Piazza Risorgimento, which stands less than 2,000 feet from the entrance of the Vatican Museums, to the Tiber and Piazza del Popolo through Regina Margherita Bridge.

Highlights along the street include Benetton, Coin (a high-end department store), Intimissimi (Italy’s most popular lingerie brand), Pandora, Sephora, Swatch, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara Home.

Via Cola di Rienzo is also famous for Mercato dell’Unità, a historic produce market where you can get amazing deals on fresh pasta and cold cuts.

The Eternal City was the first capital of Italian fashion. It’s no wonder, then, that a number of shopping streets in Rome have kept the gilded glamor of the olden days and are home to iconic boutiques such as the century-old Bulgari on Via Condotti.

So shopping in Rome can be just as upscale as in Milan if you know where to look. Yet the capital boasts plenty of affordable options too, like Via del Corso and the Porta Portese flea market. Regardless of your taste, your suitcase will definitely be bursting at the seams when you fly home!

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The Best Rome Shopping Guide - Trust My Experience!

By Elyssa Bernard

January 1, 2023

Looking for the best Rome Shopping Guide? You've come to the right place!

Living in Rome means shopping in Rome. I have shopped till I dropped. And then some! 

My Shopping Guide for Rome is the product of years of browsing, roaming, hunting, discovering and shopping the best that Rome has to offer.

Rome Shopping Guide - Everything you need to know

Based on all my years helping visitors (hotel guests, friends, family) with their shopping needs and questions, and doing oh so much research on this topic, here is my list of what you should know about shopping in Rome:

• Which areas or neighbourhoods of Rome are good for shopping ?
• Where can I buy shoes in Rome ? 
• What are some local brands in Rome?
• What kinds of souvenirs can I buy in Rome ? And where?
• How do I get the tax back when I shop in Rome ?
• When do things go on sale in Rome ?
• What are shop hours in Rome ?
• Where are the vintage shops in Rome ?
• How can I get to the outlets in Rome?
• Here's some crucial info you should know, that you probably didn't know you should know. Don't shop in Rome without reading this !

Rome Shopping Guide - Where to Shop

Like any Rome resident, I have my favourite local shops I frequent in my neighbourhood.

But most of the time when I really want to "go shopping", I head for the Rome neighbourhoods where some of the best concentration of shops can be found.

But, they all have very different kinds of shopping:

Spanish Steps - Piazza di Spagna

The area around the Spanish Steps has the highest concentration of shops in the capital.

There are not only the high-end brands such as Gucci, Prada and Armani , but some even more local brands, such as Fausto Santini .

There are even smaller, less expensive shops in the area.

So there is really something for everyone.

And yes, this is really where Romans come to shop. They like good brands, and they like to be see and be seen (who doesn't?) 

Click here to go to my page about Rome Shopping Guide to  Shopping Near the Spanish Steps , where I have lots more details about what the different streets have, and good places for stopping for a break between purchases!

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

Behind Piazza Navona - via del Governo Vecchio and via dei Coronari

Piazza Navona is one of my favorite places to visit in Rome , and arguably one of the most beautiful.

There are a few shops and restaurants right on the piazza itself, but the best shopping in the area is on two of the streets leading away from here.

Just behind the Brazilian Embassy on Piazza Navona is via del Governo Vecchio , one of my favourite shopping streets for fun boutiques plus great ambiance .

If you walk down this street, you will find plenty of places to stop for a snack or drink, lots of little one-off boutiques, and especially, lots of vintage shops .

When you get to the very end, come back up via dei Coronari .

This used to be known as the street of the antiquari , or antique dealers.

Sadly, that market has died out quite a lot, and there are very few of these original dealers left. But there are lots of fun shops and eateries there too. 

Meandering behind piazza Navona on both or either of these streets is a great way to spend a half or even whole day shopping in Rome.

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Monti - via del Boschetto and via Urbana

When it comes to local, cute neighbourhood shopping in Rome , the Monti neighbourhood is the darling among Rome shopping aficionados.

There are no big chain shops here, and since the area is literally one of the oldest in Rome (going back 2000 years), it has a very old-world, charming feel about it. 

You'll find little cobblestone streets, interesting café's and bistros, and plenty of fun little boutiques.

It is also, along with via dei Coronari (behind Piazza Navona), one of the original streets where all the antique dealers were in Rome (once upon a time.) There are still plenty of these dealers left, and their shops are speckled throughout, mixed alongside the newer and more modern shops.

The best streets for shopping in Monti are via del Boschetto, via dei Serpenti, via Urbana and via Panisperna. 

Love browsing vintage and second-hand stores?

Monti is home to some of Rome's best vintage shops and markets - visit my page here for my recommendations!

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

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By the Vatican - via Cola di Rienzo and Prati

Via Cola di Rienzo is a long, wide shopping street that runs between the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo (more or less.)

You will find some bigger brand names, including Tiffany's and the Coin department store.

You'll also find some smaller local shops.

But if you venture past this street into the more residential part of the Prati neighbourhood, you will come across lots of very cute and even innovate shops.

This area includes streets running parallel to via Cola di Rienzo, such as via dei Gracchi and via degli Scipioni, but also the little cross streets. 

Prati is a kind of upscale residential area of Rome, but also one full of accountants' and lawyers' offices, and the buildings are quite grand, so it's also pleasant to wander this neighbourhood and see a different side of Rome.

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Rome Shopping Guide - When Are the Sales

In all of Italy, sales (called  Saldi  in Italian) are held twice a year, and that's it: Once in winter and once in summer .

The exact date depends on the region.

All shops in a given region must begin and end their sales on the same day. 

In Rome,  summer sales  begin usually the first Saturday of July . They go through most of August .

In Rome,  winter sales  begin usually the first Saturday in January . They go through most of February .

Rome Shopping Guide HINT!

How to get a head start on the sales :

If you are here just a few days before the sales officially begin, you may find that some shops will be willing to offer you the sale price if you ask.

But it has to be just before the sales start, and it cannot be a major brand such as Max Mara or Prada, who very strictly follow the rules.

Rome Shopping Guide - What are Rome Shop Hours?

Traditional Italian shop hours go like this: Monday mornings, shops are closed.

They open around 3-4pm, and close around 7-8pm.

Tuesday-Friday, shops are open in the mornings, around 9:30 or 10, until about 1, then close for "siesta", then reopen around 3 or 4, closing again around 7-8pm.

Saturday mornings shops are open from about 10-1.

Then they close again until Monday afternoon.

So in general, shops are closed for "lunch", or from about 1-3/4pm, and from Saturday afternoon until Monday afternoon.

This is still pretty true for small boutiques, and shops in local neighbourhoods.

Globalisation is hitting even Rome, and certainly the shopping zone around Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps).

In this area, most shops stay open through lunch, and all day Saturday.

You will, however, find about half the shops closed on Sundays and on Monday mornings. Some traditions die hard.

Major shopping days in other countries are not shopping days here.

In Italy, a holiday is not a reason to shop.

It's a reason for the shop-keepers and workers to take a holiday.

The day after Christmas is a holiday in Italy.

Shops are closed. New Years Day , shops are closed.

Easter Monday is another big holiday . Shops are closed.

And May 1, the European "Labor Day" holiday , shops are closed. 

Rome Shopping Guide Hint!

Where to Shop on a Major Holiday

If you need to shop on a major holiday when almost everything really is closed (Christmas Day, August 15, Easter Sunday), you can count on the shopping gallery in Termini Train station .

The station is of course open 365 days a year, and is full of shops, many of which are also open, even on those holidays when the rest of Rome is shuttered.

And lately, I'm seeing shops open on Christmas Day, New Years' Day, and Easter Monday in the more trafficked tourist areas of Rome such as around the Trevi Fountain, via dei Giubbonari, via del Governo Vecchio, and via dei Coronari.

Rome Shopping Guide - Where to Buy Shoes in Rome

The best concentration of shopping in general is around the Spanish Steps.

This includes shoe shopping.

Aside from the well-known brands of Prada, Gucci, Tods and Fratelli Rossetti, you will also find more special and local brands such as Fausto Santini (shoes made of soft leather that fit like gloves.)

Less-expensive but stylish and well-made shoes by Spanish brands Geox and Camper are also a good option.

There are Geox and Camper shops all around Rome, including the main shopping sections like the Spanish Steps and Cola di Rienzo.

Want my Rome shopping guide to my favorite shoe boutiques? Here ya go:

• Scarpe Diem - their motto is "useless but beautiful shoes". Indeed. Behind piazza Navona, on Via di Parione 40.
• Fausto Santini on via Frattina - chic, particular, super well made with gorgeous leather. And they have the most wonderful bags, too.
• The Fausto Santini Outlet (oh yes!) - actually run by the original, Giacomo Santini, Fausto Santini's father. Near the Monti neighbourhood, on Via Cavour 103. Photo above.
• Mencucci boutique - right next door to the Santini outlet. Also sells clothes.
• L'Autre Chose - near the Pantheon. They make beautiful clothes too but my faves are their shoes and bags. Their shoes are fabulous and stylish, yet comfortable, and last forever. Piazza Campo Marzio 9-11.

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Rome Shopping Guide - rules to know!

Shopping in Rome (and in other parts of Italy) can be different than what you might be used to. Things to keep in mind so you don't stress while shopping here:

• Italy is less of a customer-service oriented economy than in some other cultures (in particular many Anglo-Saxon countries). Don't be put off by what may seem disinterested, inattentive, or even what might seem rude behavior on the part of sales staff . Ask for help if you need it. Sometimes you will find very helpful and friendly staff. Just not always.
• On the other hand, in some old-fashioned shops , much of the merchandise is not on display and you will have to ask for what you want. This can also be off-putting if you prefer to browse at your own pace. But don't worry if you ask for someone to show you something and then you don't want to buy it. It's routine for them.
• In shops like the one I described above, where you have to ask to see something, you might not be allowed to try it on . This goes for sweaters you could stretch out, blouses you could stain with lipstick, and some lingerie. Yes I know, how can you buy something without trying it on? I usually don't. And this is slowly dying out as larger stores and department stores do allow people to try on everything. Just know you might come across this.
• Exchanges and returns - brace yourself. It can be difficult to return or even exchange something in Rome (and other parts of Italy.) Out and out returns where you get your money back are almost non-existent. The way fiscal policy is run here makes it very difficult for a shop to justify a cash outlay, and often, a return on a credit card can be a Byzantine process involving a fax and several days of waiting. So if you can return something, it will most likely be for a credit in the same shop, i.e. and exchange. Also, if a shop even allows exchanges/returns, it must be within a very short time frame, in its original packaging and unused . So just be careful when buying things in Rome, knowing that it's unlikely you will be able to return it.

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• Shopping In Rome: 18 Places In 2024 That Will Delight The Shopaholic In You!

10 Jan 2023

Imagine yourself strolling in the popular cobbled streets of Rome with shopping bags from high-street brands in one hand and your favorite drink in another, while you enjoy the city’s sumptuous beauty. Sounds like quite a heavenly & dreamy experience, right? Well, the city of ruins is truly a heaven for Shopaholics and shopping in Rome will let you have this experience for real! Home to top-notch brands, high-street stores, vintage shops, and more, the city has got the best of everything for everyone. So, if you’re planning a trip to Europe, keep this Rome shopping guide handy as it won’t just help you discover the best places to shop in Rome but also unveil the quintessential shopping secrets in Rome!

18 Top-Notch Places For Shopping In Rome

Since the city has got innumerable famous shopping streets as well as malls, here’s a list of the best places to shop in Rome that would definitely offer you a soul-satisfying experience when you’d be shopping in Rome, Italy . Take a look:

• Via Dei Condotti – Branded Italian leather bags
• Via Del Corso – Elegant Dresses
• La Rinascente – For Branded Cosmetics
• Via Cola Di Rienzo – For Street Shopping
• Via Dei Coronari – For Vintage Articles
• Via Del Governo Vecchio – For Souvenirs
• Via Del Boschetto – For Handicraft items
• Via Margutta – For Art Galleries
• Castel Romano – For Designer Outlets
• Via Frattina – For Italian Leather Shoes
• Via dei Giubbonari – For Leather Shoes And Boots
• Chez Dede – For Bags, Designer Scarves, Vintage Fragrances
• L’Archivio Di Monserrato – For Antiques, Designer Dresses, Robes
• Maison Halaby – For Designer Leather Bags
• Artisanal Cornucopia – For Artsy Clothes
• Castroni – For Coffee Lovers
• Le Gallinelle – For Old School Homies
• Re[f]use –  For Recycled Items

1. Via Dei Condotti: For Branded Italian Leather Bags

Image Source

For the best experience of shopping in Rome, Italy , head out to the popular Via Dei Condotti. This street is well-known for the best designer outlet shopping in Rome and features top-notch brands like Gucci, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and more, that would not only treat the shopaholic within you but also leave you in awe.

Location: Via Condotti, 00187 Rome, Italy Best For: Branded Italian leather bags

Must Read: 10 Best Indian Restaurants In Rome That Offer The Most Authentic & Delicious Delicacies

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2. Via Del Corso: For Elegant Dresses

Looking for the most popular spot for shopping in Rome, Italy ? One of the longest streets in the city, this is the best place to be if you wish to go for dress shopping in Rome . Offering high-street Roman stores and international brands like H&M, Zara and more, Via Del Corso is one shopping place you just cannot miss on your Rome trip!

Location: Via del Corso, Rome, Italy Best For: Elegant Dresses

Suggested Read: Rome Received Its First Snowfall In 6 Years, And Boy, Are The Pictures Amazing!

3. La Rinascente: For Branded Cosmetics

Irrespective of how many streets you explore, your Rome holiday would stay incomplete without luxury shopping in Rome at some of the finest brands in a shopping malls in Rome, Italy. La Rinascente is home to this multi-brand luxury store which houses everything from cosmetics to home decor, and offers all of it under one roof.

Location: Via del Tritone 61, Via Dei Due Macelli 23, 00187 Rome, Italy Best For: Branded Cosmetics

Suggested Read: Summer In Rome: A Guide To The Best Summertime Experiences

4. Via Cola Di Rienzo: For Street Shopping

If you are planning to visit Rome and want to shop somewhere away from the hustle & bustle of the city, Cola Di Rienzo is your place. The most popular street amongst the locals, it offers a mix of international and Italian brands. Make sure you visit this place if you wish to enjoy affordable shopping in Rome .

Location: Via Cola di Rienzo, Prati, 00192 Rome, Italy Best For: Street shopping

Suggested Read: Rome Is Finally Getting Its Own Beach And We’re Packing Already!

5. Via Dei Coronari: For Vintage Articles

One of the oldest and yet the finest streets in Rome, Via Dei Coronari is known for selling exemplary antiques and is must visit in the Rome shopping guide . If you are going out for shopping in Rome on a budget , this is the best place for you! It houses vintage shops that would take you back to the old Roman times.

Location: Navona, Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori Best For: Vintage articles

Suggested Read: 7 Places To Visit Near Rome To Spice Up Your Italy Vacation

6. Via Del Governo Vecchio: For Souvenirs

This cobbled street is located just behind the beautiful Piazza Navona and is known for being home to high-quality Italian brands. From good quality leather to extraordinary souvenirs, you would find everything here that you won’t find anywhere else. Just don’t forget to check out the vintage shops! We believe we have answered your question, where to go shopping in Rome for a luxurious experience. 

Location: 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best For: Souvenirs

Suggested Read: 10 Must-See Tourist Places In Rome: Flipping Through The Pages Of Roman History

7. Via Del Boschetto: For Handicraft items

Situated in the beautiful neighborhood of Monti, this street is popular for its artisanal shops. While it has various handicraft boutiques, Kokoro is a one-stop shop that sells such colorful handcrafted materials that you would not want to leave empty-handed! It is everyone’s go-to place for luxury shopping in Rome .

Location: 00184 Roma RM, Italy Best For: Handicraft items

Suggested Read: 12 Things To Do In Rome: Voyage To This Historic City For A Memorable Vacation

8. Via Margutta: For Art Galleries

A beautiful small street marked by the presence of hanging plants, art galleries , and small shops, Via Margutta is the place that would offer you the most blissful shopping experience. It is everyone’s go-to place for affordable shopping in Rome . Also, if you plan to go shopping in Rome on Sunday , this is undoubtedly the best place to visit and pamper the art lover within!

Location: Centro Storico, Via Margutta, 00187 Rome, Italy Best For: Art Galleries

Suggested Read: 20 Romantic Things To Do In Rome With Your Amore!

9. Castel Romano: For Designer Outlets

For the best outlet shopping in Rome , reach out to the Castel Romano outlet which offers famous designer brands like Michael Kors, Roberto Cavalli, Nike, and more at 30 to 70% off throughout the year. Also, it has a beautiful setting surrounded by cafes & restaurants that would enhance your shopping experience! It is everyone’s go-to place for best shopping in Rome .

Location: Via del Ponte di Piscina Cupa, 64, 00128 Castel Romano RM, Italy Best For: Designer Outlets

Suggested Read: 3 Best Places For Skydiving In Rome For An Ultra Adventurous Experience

10. Via Frattina: For Italian Leather Shoes

Home to the most famous stores like Fausto Santini, Andrea Fabini, and more, this street is known for the best shoe shopping in Rome . It is situated near the popular Spanish Steps and is also one of the most-visited places for shopping in Rome . Just don’t forget to get a ‘Made in Italy’ pair of shoes for yourself while you’d be here! It is the best place for shopping in Rome Italy .

Location: 00187 Roma RM, Italy Best For: Italian leather shoes

Suggested Read: Rome Nightlife: 10 Best Places To Let Your Hair Down In This Ancient City

11. Via dei Giubbonari: For Leather Shoes And Boots

Located in the middle of the Jewish Ghetto and the Campo de’Fiori, this place is one of the best places to go for cheap shopping in Rome . Lined up with small shoe shops and affordable clothing boutiques, this is an absolute paradise for the people who want to indulge in some endless shopping. This place is known for the chains of small businesses and also famous for being one of the best shopping areas in Rome . 

Location: Near Campo de’ Fiori Best Known For: Leather shoes and boots

Suggested Read: You’re Missing The Chance To See The Famous Cobblestone Streets Of Rome For The Last Time!

12. Chez Dede: For Bags, Designer Scarves, Vintage Fragrances

The Chez Dede is one of its own kind of independent boutique which is also a gallery and atelier. Featuring a funky and retro vibe, this place is mostly visited by people who are looking for some designer scarves and many more which are designed by Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla. One can also find things like bags and homewares which are chic. There are things available from other brands which include Assouline books and vintage fragrances. People looking for the best shops in Rome can visit this one once.

Location: Via di Monserrato, 35, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best Known For: Bags, Designer scarves, Vintage fragrances

Suggested Read: 8 Day Trips From Rome To Take To Savour The Timeless Charm Of Italy!

13. L’Archivio Di Monserrato: For Antiques, Designer Dresses, Robes

This boutique is owned by the designer Soledad Twombly who is famous in the fashion industry for her custom-designed dresses and textiles. This place has some of the amazing collection of designer dresses, antique tea sets, Syrian robes and also Tibetan vases which are worth spending a penny. This boutique also stands out to be one of the best shopping places in Rome . 

Location: Via di Monserrato, 150, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best Known For: Antiques, Designer dresses, Robes

Suggested Read: Rome In June: A Guide To Witness The City Beaming With Joy

14. Maison Halaby: For Designer Leather Bags

Adding to the list of antique galleries stands the Maison Halaby which is owned by designer Gilbert Halaby. Inside the shop one can find all kinds of handcrafted things like scarves, paintings, tea sets, and journals. Alongside that there are leather hand bags which are just out of the latest fashion closet. If you’re thinking where to go for shopping in Rome , this is one of the best shops to enjoy a shopping spree.

Location: Via di Monserrato, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best Known For: Designer leather bags

Suggested Read: Everything You Need To Know About The Colosseum Before You Embark On A Trip To Rome

15. Artisanal Cornucopia: For Artsy Clothes

When you are done with shopping at the markets, you can head to the famous boutiques in Rome ‘because they are worth every visit. For the latest designer fashion, try Artisanal Cornucopia. It is one of the best places for shopping in Rome . You will find artists checking out the items there and you can have a nice convo with the owner while shopping there who could suggest you about good clothes and other stuff.

Location: Via dell’Oca, 38/A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best for: Designer clothes and bags

Suggested Read: Vatican Museums: An Abode To Witness The Artistic Heritage Of Rome

16. Castroni: For Coffee Lovers

Is Rome good for shopping ? Well, that is not even a question to ask because it is known for its shopping haven across the world. Apart from clothes and accessories, if you want to buy other things like gourmet, coffee and more then Rome has a very famous and ancient shop called Castroni. You will find a huge crowd here buying Italian, American, British cookies that you might not find anywhere else. It is definitely a treat for those who love something different.

Location: Via Cola di Rienzo, 196/198, 00192 Roma RM, Italy Best for: Coffee, cookies

Suggested Read: 9 Best Cottages In Rome Where One Can Stay And Experience A Blissful Vacation!

17. Le Gallinelle: For Old School Homies

If you are an old school and headed for Rome shopping , then there can be no more perfect place than Le Gallinelle for you. The shop is owned by the famous designer Wilma Silvestri who has been rocking old school for the past 30 years. You will come across hand woven, embroidered, printed clothes that will compel you to buy it all.

Location: Via Panisperna, 60, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Best for: Old school clothes

Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Rome: A Guide To The Capital City’s Most Romantic Experiences

18. Re[f]use: For Recycled Items

Still thinking where to shop in Rome ? Refuse is the other name for everything quirky. Run by the famous Fendi, the shop uses such things to make clothes and accessories that you would not even have dreamt of to be used so like beer cans, remnants of fabric and waste materials. You can buy handbags of recycled objects and flaunt it to your friends!

Location: Via della Fontanella di Borghese, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy Best for: Clothes and accessories made from waste materials

Suggested Read: Rome Travel – The Eternal City To Travel To Once In Your Lifetime

Tips For Shopping In Rome

1. While many stores in Rome are closed on Monday mornings, especially the smaller ones, some of the stores remain closed for a few hours in the afternoon as well. So, make sure you check with the locals and pick the right time for shopping. 2. Getting a change in Italy is quite difficult. So, try to keep the exact change with you if plan to pay in cash while shopping there. 3. The international brands like Prada, Gucci, and more sell selective items to non-European citizens on which VAT can be claimed by the customer. So, make sure you carry your passport and ask the sales assistant for help to fill out the required form at the time of making the purchase. 4. If you are looking for local Italian artifacts and jewelry on your Rome trip, head to Via Del Boschetto as it’s the best place in the city to buy accessories. 5. Last but not least, try and make a list of things to buy in order to have an easy & convenient shopping experience.

Further Read: 8 Beautiful Villas In Rome To Indulge In A Royal Experience On Your Next Vacay!

Your shopping experience in Rome will not be an ordinary one as the city offers stunning things to buy which will excite your soul even more! So, plan your Italy trip with TravelTriangle right away, and head out on the most unique shopping spree.

Go beyond the obvious spots for shopping in Rome and stay on the look out for haute couture stores, antique shops, and bargain outlets. Watch our Rome travel video to see what we mean. Are you prepared to have your mind blown in Rome?

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping In Rome

What is famous in Italy for shopping?

Italy is famous for buying cheese, Italian leather bags and Italian leather shoes.

What time do the shops close in Rome?

The shops in Rome close around 8 PM.

Is there a Primark in Rome?

No, currently there is no Primark store in Rome.

What is the main shopping street in Rome?

Via del Corso is the main shopping street in Rome.

Via Cola di Rienzo is the main shopping street in Rome. It is considered as the best place for shopping all over Italy.

What should I buy in Rome?

You should buy handicrafts and art pieces in Rome.

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Where to Shop in Rome: Guide to the Best Shopping Streets

Written by: Kate Zusmann

Discover an insider guide to the best shopping streets in Rome. You can choose among shopping areas with famous local and international brands, luxury fashion houses, flea markets, or vintage shops with unique souvenirs and accessories.

Here’s the list of the best shopping streets in Rome:

Via del Corso – Most Famous Shopping Street

Via del Corso is Rome’s most famous shopping street, located right near the Piazza Venezia . Every day, thousands of tourists explore a wide variety of boutiques with local and international brands. The street is long, and at its end is ancient Piazza del Popolo with Villa Borghese behind the square. Undoubtedly, spending the whole day on Via del Corso is easy, especially during sales seasons. Popular brands such as Zara , H&M , and Bershka are located there. Moreover, bars, restaurants, and gelaterias are situated on the street.

See a list of the best hotels near Piazza del Popolo .

Via dei Condotti – L uxury Fashion Brands

Via dei Condotti is famous for its luxury fashion brands . The most prestigious international and Italian fashion houses are Prada , Dior , Dolce & Gabbana , Gucci , and others. The street is located near the Spanish Steps and is a perfect choice if you are interested in new season collections of the most popular brands or luxury gifts.

Via Vittorio Veneto – A uthentic Italian Boutiques

Via Vittorio Veneto is famous for bars, hotels, and shops. Many fashions and authentic Italian boutiques offer a wide selection of stylish clothes, souvenirs, and accessories. Moreover, it is a great spot where to buy handmade clothing.

Read also about the Top 25 Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rome .

Via del Boschetto – Local Boutiques with H andmade Items

Via del Boschetto in the Monti area offers many local boutiques with handmade items . The Rione Monti is known for its artisan and ateliers where you can buy handcrafted accessories, jewelry, and vintage clothing.

Fix price transfer from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome

Eliodoro store has an excellent choice of handcrafted jewelries

Via Borgognona – Famous Italian Brands

Via Borgognona is located parallel to the famous Via dei Condotti. It makes sense to visit this street if you are looking for famous Italian brands like Emilio Pucci or Moschino. The area is popular among tourists, and boutiques provide a wide selection of clothes according to the latest fashion trends.

Via del Governo Vecchio – S hops with Vintage Items

Via del Governo is famous for its shops with vintage items . There are bookshops, accessories, and leather clothing boutiques. It is an unforgettable experience, and you will have a chance to buy unique souvenirs of handmade items for great prices.

Via Cola di Rienzo – shopping near the Vatican City

Via Cola di Rienzo in the Prati neighborhood near the Vatican City has a similar assortment of boutiques as on Via del Corso. The street is beautiful and spacious. Its feature is that there are several times fewer tourists than on shopping streets near the Spanish Steps and Piazza Venezia . You will find boutiques as MaxMara , LiuJo, Tezenis, Stefanel, and many others on Via Cola di Rienzo.

Famous Coin Excelsior shopping center with the best fashion, beauty, and homeware brands located on Via Cola di Rienzo

Flea Markets

There are several outdoor markets, flea markets, and spots to buy antiques in the Eternal City.

Porta Portese – Rome’s Biggest Flea Market

Porta Portese works every Sunday from 7 am until 1 pm and is Rome’s biggest flea market. You can find everything there: antique housewares, jewelry, posters, furniture, secondhand clothing, stickers, and many other things. The flea market is located at the south end of the Trastevere district.

Flea Market on Via Sannio

The flea market is right near the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano . There are clothing, accessories, and vintage items. It works in the mornings from Monday to Saturday.

Antique Sellers

There are several streets in Rome where you can find antique items.

Via del Babuino

Via del Babuino is located near the Spanish Steps and offers stores with antique furniture, accessories, and paintings.

If you love shopping and fashion, be sure to check out the Castel Romano Outlet .

Useful Questions/Answers About Shopping in Rome

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Sales Seasons

Sales (Italian: saldi) are held twice a year: in winter and summer. The exact date of sales always depends on the region. All the shops begin sales on the same day.

• Summer sales in Rome: from the first Saturday of July until the end of August
• Winter sales in Rome: from the first Saturday in January until almost the end of February

The capital of the most fashionable country in the world offers many shopping streets with a great variety of stores. The choice of the area depends on your preferences. Undoubtedly, you will stay satisfied with the shopping in Rome.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

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Where to Shop in Rome

Rome Shopping Guide: From Fashions to Flea Markets

Stella Levantesi / TripSavvy

Shopping in Rome is fantastic, no matter if you are searching for haute couture, antiques, or a bargain. Following are a few ideas on where to shop in Italy's capital.

Shopping for High Fashion

Some of the biggest names in Italian fashion—Fendi, Valentino, Bulgari—hail from Rome and you will find their flagship stores, as well as boutiques by Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Gucci, and many others along the grid of streets near the Spanish Steps.

Via Condotti is Rome's main drag for haute couture and "aspirational" window shopping, though you'll also find high fashion beckoning from the boutiques on Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via Sistina, and Via Bocca de Leone.

Chain Stores and Mainstream Shopping

If you want to shop where regular Romans shop, there are several good places to go.

Via del Corso, and the streets that radiate from it, is the most obvious shopping area. The mile-long street which runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo has all manner of shops, including the Ferrari flagship store, numerous shoe stores, popular fashion brands like Diesel and Benetton, and department stores (Rinascente, COIN).

Another area popular with Romans is Via Cola di Rienzo in the Prati neighborhood. This long street north of the Vatican has a similar assortment of stores to those on Via del Corso but has far fewer tourists crowding the sidewalks.

Outdoor Flea Markets and Antiques

There are several good outdoor markets, flea markets, and places to buy antiques in Rome. Porta Portese, which operates on Sundays from 7 am until 1 pm, is the most important flea market in Rome and is one of the largest flea markets in Europe.

At Porta Portese, you'll find everything from antique housewares to secondhand clothing and music to original art, jewelry, posters, furniture, etc. Porta Portese is located at the south end of the Trastevere neighborhood .

Another flea market to try is the one at Via Sannio located just a few blocks south of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. This market sells mostly clothing and accessories, including designer knock-offs. It operates in the mornings Monday through Saturday.

Tip: It is technically illegal to buy and sell counterfeit items, including designer knock-offs. In fact, the purchase of knock-off wares could mean hefty fines for both the seller and buyer.

While you can find many good antiques in Rome's flea markets, there are several streets and districts that are known for their antique sellers. Via del Babuino, near the haute couture shops around the Spanish Steps, is renowned for its antiques, particularly antique furniture and paintings.

An incredibly picturesque street on which to do your antique shopping is Via Giulia, a street which runs almost parallel to the Tiber just west of Campo de' Fiori . You will also find a handful of antique dealers on the warren of streets at the curve of the Tiber between the Via Giulia and Via del Governo Vecchio.

One of the easiest ways to approach this antique district is by starting at Castel Sant'Angelo and walking south on the lovely Ponte Sant'Angelo (Angels' Bridge).

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The best shopping in Rome: an insider guide to Rome’s best shopping streets

I love shopping in Rome. The city is generous with shops for all budget, shapes and taste and retail therapy opportunities are easy to find

The city has several shopping streets with clusters of shops and some of them are close to Rome main attractions , making it easy to add a shopping afternoon to a sightseeing morning.

In this article, I am going to share my favorite shopping addresses in the city so you can bring home amazing Italian fashion, a special gift or maybe a bite of Rome’s most delicious food.

Best shopping in Rome: streets vs shopping malls

The first thing to do when planning an afternoon of shopping in Rome is to know what to expect.

In is important to know that Rome tends to have high street shopping opportunities more than shopping malls and large department stores.

Shopping malls and shopping centers in Rome do exist but they tend to be outside of the center and they do not often offer the local shops and Italian brands or the unique find you may be looking for. 

In Rome shopping centers you often have the international brands (H&M, Gap etc) as well as local ones (like Benetton) and while they can be an excellent place to get a bargain, especially at sales time, if you prefer window shopping and a more unique shopping experience, shopping streets are a better choice 

The best shopping streets in Rome

Via del corso – rome city center high street.

A guide to the best shopping in Rome can only start with via del Corso, the large central street that runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo.

Via del Corso Is a beautiful road with a large concentration of shops, sitting beside each other along the whole length of the street, which is significant!

You can think of via del Corso as Rome’s high street: here you have all the international chains (Zara H&M, Diesel etc) but you also have smaller shops and brands that are unique in Italy and the occasional leather shop and family run boutique.

Via del Corso is a solid clothes shopping option if you want a bit of everything: just be mindful that it can be really busy, especially on Saturday afternoon, when the crowds of tourists and local teenagers make it burst at its seams.

Head here mid week or at opening time so you can also see nearby Trevi fountain without the crowds!

Via dei Condotti – best for designer shopping in Rome

Designer shopping in Rome happens in Via Condotti, the elegant road connecting Via del Corso (above) with Piazza di Spagna (Spanish steps).

Here, and in the streets nearby such as Via del Babuino and Via Belsiana, you have all the high end designer shops and you will find Bulgari, Chanel, Prada, Max Mara and all the best fashion brands.

Via Condotti is worth visiting as one of the best shopping streets in Rome but also happens to have a historical cafe worth noting: the Antico Caffe’ Greco, the perfect place for an upscale coffee while luxury shopping in the center.

Via Cola di Rienzo – best Rome shopping near the Vatican (clothing and food)

Closer to the Vatican lies Via Cola di Rienzo, another wonderful shopping street in Rome with a mix of shops to suit most budgets.

Here you have high street shops and international chains but also local shops and boutiques. This is traditionally a more local shopping street and has a good selection of shoe shops too, which other areas lack.

This is a fantastic street for shopping both for clothing and food thanks to the famous gourmet foods shop Castroni, which has been selling delicacies to Romans and tourists alike for decades and never disappoints!

Via Cola di Rienzo and nearby Via Ottaviano departs for just outside Vatican city and they are perfect to visit after a long morning in St Peter and its museums.

Via Urbana and Via del Boschetto – best vintage shopping in Rome

If you are looking to go vintage shopping in Rome, then head to Monti and in particular via Urbana and Via del Boschetto, two great streets for retails but also for charm ( Santa Prassede , one of my favorite hidden gems in Rome is here).

Here you find small and pretty shops for clothes and accessories and at the weekends Mercato Monti, a favorite place for vintage lovers and market goers.

Monti is a wonderful area to visit if you are looking for a unique piece such as vintage sunglasses, accessories or to-die-for bags

Via del Governo Vecchio – one of a kind shops in Rome city center

Located near Piazza Navona, Via del Governo Vecchio is another lovely shopping streets in Rome with small boutiques and some vintage shops that are great for one of a kind type of finds or a special gift.

This is also a street with some lovely food so it is easy to plan a stop here in between a visit to Piazza Navona and dinner in Cul de sac, one of my favorite restaurants in Rome ! 

Via dei Giubbonari – great shopping near campo de’ Fiori (clothing and food)

Via dei Giubbonari departs from Campo de’ Fiori and is one of the first places I go to when shopping in Rome.

Here you have several clothing shops, some local, some with known international brands (Birkenstock , Superdry etc), and you also have one of the most famous food shops in Rome, Roscioli which while not cheap, surely packs a punch in term of quality of their food. (They have two shops beside each other, one is the deli and one their bar/cafe)

Via dei Coronari

If you are looking for antique dealers and design shops, another street not to miss is Via dei Coronari.

Close to Piazza Navona and Campo de’ fiori , this is a street full of charm and as well as shopping opportunities and it also has one of the best gelaterie in Rome , gelateria del Teatro!

Rome department stores

As well as small shops, Rome has some department stores offering a good selection of brands and more local fashion names.

La Rinascente

La Rinascente is one of the oldest and best known department stores in Rome and has several shops in different parts of Rome.

Their flagship store is on Via del Tritone and it is worth a visit both for shopping opportunities and something special or actually 2 special things! The rooftop terrace and the view over a Roman aqueduct, passing just below the store!

In La Rinascente you will find all you expect from a large departments stores including perfumery and cosmetics, women fashion, men clothing and children clothing / toys

Another excellent department store in Rome is Coin, a large shop with a good selection of brands at a variety of price points.

A little like La Rinascente above, in Coin you will find a good cosmetics session, accessories and men and women’s fashion.

Termini Forum

The forum below Rome Termini station is not a department store but it offers such a variety of shops it is worth mentioning it here as it can be a good go-to place if you are short on time and want many shopping options all under one roof (it is also a good place for shopping in case it rains!)

Here you find a bit of everything, from Coin (see above) to international shops such as Lush, Nike, Mango, Intimissimi and more. 

I hope you enjoyed this overview of the best shopping in Rome. Safe travels!

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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Best Shopping in Rome

LAST UPDATED BY Maria Pasquale May 20, 2022

Visitors with some retail therapy on their minds will find comfort in knowing that there is a never-ending selection of boutiques and stores in Rome  to meet all your shopping needs. This carefully selected list covers everything from food and specialty shops to clothing, shoes and accessories.

You'll find just about all that you're after in the historical center. Via del Corso is the main shopping street featuring all your Italian and international high street fashion brands and department store La Rinascente just off the main thoroughfare. For high-end fashion from Italian fashion houses like Armani and Prada to international Hermes or Louis Vuitton head to Via Condotti, right by the Spanish Steps and surrounding streets of Via del Babuino, Via Sistina and Via Borgognona.

The Made in Italy brand made famous the world over can still be found, but venture towards small boutiques instead of large Italian chains. And before, during or after your trip, visit stylish online boutique  Issimo  for bespoke lifestyle pieces, home decor or to update your Roman Holiday wardrobe with their vast selection of Italian fashion staples. 

For many Italian and local made items from clothing to leather and shoes, Via del Governo Vecchio and Via dei Coronari (Piazza Navona area) or Via Giubbonari (Campo de Fiori area) will satisfy. You can find a bargain all year round but January and July are your big end of season sales months. So whatever it is you're on the hunt for, this 10Best list is your starting point. Buon shopping!

Davide Cenci

Open in 1926, Davide Cenci is a high-end specialty clothing store where the most affluent of Romans shop. Here one can find a wide range of Italian brand names in cashmere, silk, men's tailored suits, sophisticated women's skirts and trousers. This classy outlet caters for men, women and children and stocks brands like Giorgio Armani, Versace, Burberry, Hogan, Lacoste and Tods. The store located in the heart of the Centro Storico also features leather boots and shoes and children's clothing. Walk in, even just to check out the stylish minimalist fit-out design. BUS: 116, 80, 492, 53, 52. METRO: Spagna.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Davide Cenci is renowned for its style, class and quality designer brands.

Maria's expert tip : One can find some pretty good bargains here during Rome's summer sales in July and winter sales in January.

Read more about Davide Cenci →

Tucked away on a discreet cobblestone street in the historical center right behind the Pantheon is one of the most sophisticated hat boutiques in all of Rome. The store, Borsalino has been around since 1857 and the stylish fedoras and Panama hats have been donned by stars such as Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn and even James Dean - just to name few. Not only are these unique, dashing hats made with the most intricate of detail, they are still created with techniques and machines that are over 100 years old. A piece of shopping history in a modern day Rome. BUS: 116, 80, 492, 52, 53. METRO: Spagna, Flaminio

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Borsalino is one of few stores in Rome steeped in history and still producing quality Italian made goods.

Maria's expert tip : The hat store has two other locations in Rome: one near the Trevi fountain and the other at Piazza del Popolo.

Read more about Borsalino →

Many would say this is the best of all the men's tailors in Italy. For over 50 years, Brioni has provided his fine line of custom and pre-made suits for such celebrities as Clarke Gable and James Bond. Men who don suits by Brioni are flawlessly dressed in ultimate style. There is a capsule women's collection in the Rome flagship store too. The store continues to offer a customised personal shopping experience where shoppers can be measured for the suit of their choice which is generally tailored in a few days. It's the ultimate in style and service in menswear. Metro: Barberini.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : An iconic Italian store and the ultimate in men's style and fashion.

Maria's expert tip : Take advantage of the made-to-measure custom design service.

Read more about Brioni →

Unique international ingredients from floor to ceiling. If you want to make that interesting recipe that calls for special ingredients from an unusual place in the Mediterranean or anywhere in the world for that matter, this is the place to find it. Castroni has a wide selection of specialty and international products. Knowns as the place where many expats in Rome head to for a home feel, it is also well freqented by locals and tourists looking for unique or hard to find food items. They also feature Italian products and everything from biscuits, tea, chocolate, spices and more. BUS to Piazza del Risorgimento, METRO: Ottaviano - San Pietro

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Covering all your gourmet needs while in town and for a taste of Rome to take home.

Maria's expert tip : There are now Castroni stores located across the city, including a very central outpost on Via Nazionale. See the website for a full store listing.

Read more about Castroni →

Like La Rinascente, COIN is an upscale department store located in the Prati area right by the Vatican. The store is actually located on one of Rome's famous shopping streets in Rome on Via Cola di Rienzo. The store has several floors featuring homeware, bedding, men's and women's clothing, children's clothing, shoes and accessories and perfume and make-up. The store boasts a wide range of Italian and international high street designer brands. COIN has two other locations: one in the San Giovanni neighborhood and a smaller installment which is conveniently located within Rome's central train station, Termini. BUS: 492, 81. METRO: Ottaviano, Lepanto.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Coin department store has all the family's shopping needs covered from clothing to shoes to homeware.

Maria's expert tip : The locations at Termini and Via Cola di Rienzo also feature the famous cosmetics brand MAC.

Read more about Coin →

Mercato Monti

Held every weekend in the area of Monti, this "urban" market is a good place to go shopping if you're looking for a unique gift for someone special, or even for yourself! At Mercato Monti you can find young and old handmade designers who create and sell notebooks, vintage and handmade clothes, jewelry, vintage sunglasses and much more. The artisans sell their products so shopping here gives you a chance to talk to them, making for a more personal shopping experience. Even if there's little chance to take a piece home, make sure you take time to admire the vintage furniture, often expertly restored. METRO: Cavour BUS: 75, 117

Recommended for Best Shopping because : A weekend showcase of eclectic and independent Italian designers under the one roof.

Maria's expert tip : Get there early - it gets quite busy later in the day!

Read more about Mercato Monti →

Famed Italian turned global chain Eataly, touched down in Rome about a year ago. The giant gourmet food store opened up its Rome location in the former air terminal at Ostiense station right alongside Italy's newest and fastest (and private) railway Italo. The Italian culinary complex is the chains biggest store to date. It covers over 17,000 meters of space and is spread out over 4 floors. At the food market, one can shop from over 14,000 different 'Made in Italy' products to choose from and if you're here to eat, it features more than 23 restaurants and snack bars. There are tasting stands where one can sample some of the finest Roman and Italian delicacies while crossing off items on your shopping list. Eataly is like a foodie wonderland and certainly worth a visit during your trip.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : This is Rome's one-stop-shop for eating, buying and learning about Italian food.

Maria's expert tip : Eataly host a wide variety of food and learning initiatives. Visit the website prior to your visit to see if any food events or promotions are taking place.

Read more about Eataly →

La Rinascente

Big American-style department stores never really existed in Rome - until now. The Italian brand gallery, La Rinascente has moved location and this new, designer store is multi-level and will impress the fussiest of luxury shoppers. Located in the heart of Rome, between the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain on Via del Tritone, it features 6 floors (across 14,000 square meters) and sells clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty products and household items. Among many more, you'll find brands like Gucci, Fendi, Michael Kors, Swarovski, Tod's, Stone Island and Lacoste. The new flagship store has brought the first Alexander McQueen to Rome and sells quality, top of the line children's clothing and personal shopping service is available on request. There are a rooftop terrace and a gourmet food court too. METRO: Spagna, Barberini

Recommended for Best Shopping because : The new Rinascente is a well trusted Italian brand of department stores and centrally located, is perfect to meet your shopping needs.

Maria's expert tip : Visit at lunch time and enjoy the diverse offering at the 6th-floor designer food court.

Read more about La Rinascente →

Castel Romano Designer Outlets

Castel Romano is the leading designer outlet complex located a short distance from both Civitavecchia and Rome. From Civitavecchia it's about an 1.5 hour drive away and many local tour operators offer day trip tours with a coach service that meets cruise ships arriving into the port. The outlets feature premium stores for designer wear, formal, casual and sporting wear, cosmetics, accessories, leather goods, shoes, swimwear and home-ware. Just some of the leading brands include Burberry, Guess, Diesel, Swarovski, Calvin Klein, Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo. There are also restaurants and bars on site. Transport: Visit the website for information about shuttle times from the center of Rome.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Just 30 minutes from Rome, Castel Romano has all your shopping needs covered.

Maria's expert tip : Visit the outlets' website before you go and sign up for their Privilege Club. It's free and entitles to you all sorts of offers and discounts.

Read more about Castel Romano Designer Outlets →

Founded by Italian lifestyle and luxury hotel guru Marie Louise Sciò, ISSIMO is a chic online boutique with all things Made in Italy . It's the stylish digital extension of the Pellicano world, the iconic hotel group with properties in Monte Argentario ( Il Pellicano ), Lazio coast ( La Posta Vecchia ) and Ischia ( Mezzatorre ). In short, Sciò's dream connects lovers of Italy with its highly skilled artisans, creators and designers. As such, here you can indulge in items you'll find at any of her hotels - from the recognizable striped beach towels to homewares and even the bespoke tiles that adorn their walls and floors. The ISSIMO site and e-store is a playground of style, la dolce vita distilled if you like. And more than that, it's a place where Italy stories are told and travel tips are shared. Get lost in the universe of ISSIMO - you might never want to leave! Purchase luxurious Italian items from clothing to shoes, gourmet food boxes, books and beauty products. And the ultimate gift item that will have you traveling through Italy from anywhere in the world: ISSIMO's customized 'Italian Road Trip' Monopoly featuring stops you can visit on your very own Roman and Italy vacation.

Recommended for Best Shopping because : Your one-stop-shop for chic, luxurious Made in Italy items from anywhere in the world.

Maria's expert tip : For tips and Italian travel inspiration, explore the site beyond your shop.

Read more about ISSIMO →

Born to Italian parents, Maria always knew Rome was her destiny, although she was raised in Melbourne.

An award winning food and travel writer, in addition to 10Best USA Today she also...   More About Maria

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Maria says, Don't leave Rome without a walk around Trastevere! Get rid of your map and lose yourself in the cobblestone streets - they will enchant you.

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Where to go shopping in Rome

By Charlotte Davey and Andrea Whittle

This gilt-edged city is a stealth fashion capital, more extravagant than Milan and more laidback than Paris . Today the big players are found in frescoed flagships and gem-filled curiosity stores sit alongside quirky flea-market dens.

On-point powerhouses

Although many brands are synonymous with Italian style, few have a truly Roman soul. Founded here in 1925, Fendi is intrinsic to the city. Its headquarters occupy the famous Palazzo della Civiltà building, which was built under Mussolini for a world fair that would never happen and is now nicknamed colosseo quadrato , or the Square Colosseum. The ground floor is taken up by an exhibition area, café and vending machine stocked with fun, branded Fendi kit such as notebooks, badges and the label’s own Rome guidebook. The flagship store on Largo Carlo Goldoni (pictured) is another burrow of surprises, with rooms dedicated to jewellery, menswear, children’s toys, and shelf upon shelf of the perennially desirable Baguette bags, while upstairs is the maison’s first hotel, plus spaces for private shopping. Another label with strong links to the city is Tod’s , which is becoming part of the literal fabric of this place – it is funding the restoration of the Colosseum. Others include Valentino , which has both its atelier and couture school in the capital, as well as Dolce & Gabbana , whose gilded Piazza di Spagna boutique is a love letter to the Eternal City with gold mosaics, cathedral-like wall inscriptions and a Sistine Chapel fresco ceiling projection.

Eclectic homeware

Gallery and lifestyle store Chez Dédé (pictured) , the brainchild of creative directors Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla, opened in 2015 on via di Monserrato, the city’s unofficial bohemian quarter. Within this fantastical lair of mustard velvet curtains and curiosities in bell jars, there is a wide range of smart gifts, including tableware by Astier de Villatte, French candles, paperbacks and limited-edition drawings. Along the river at textile emporium Lisa Corti , florid nature-inspired prints cover everything in sight, from tablecloths and quilts to armchairs, nightwear and piles of assorted cushions. And interior designer Umberto Mantineo pairs his own line of modernist ceramics with vintage items – original Fornasetti plates and restored antique dining chairs – in his studio showroom on via dei Banchi Vecchi.

Luxe collectibles

In 1905, Sotirio Bulgari, founder of the eponymous jewellery house, opened what could be called the world’s first concept store, the Old Curiosity Shop (pictured) , selling ancient artefacts, clothing, perfume bottles, buckles and buttons – and, of course, gems. The century that followed would cast Bulgari as one of the premier jewellery houses, but it never forgot its curio roots, with signature collections today still incorporating Roman coins and other charms. Last year the brand launched the New Curiosity Shop , modelled on Renaissance-era curiosity cabinets, where collections are divided into man-made and natural objects. The store itself is split in half, with two street entrances like a twin-door cuckoo clock and a line along the floor separating day and night, light and dark. Exclusive pieces have been created for the boutique, including Parentesi bracelets in pink gold with jade inlay and a limited-edition Serpenti watch.

Flea-market finds

In a converted garage in Monteverde, Silvana Fantino collects and refurbishes vintage pieces for Binario 4 . Together with her daughter she started selling their wares, – previously the highlight of Porta Portese flea market – in their own space a few years ago, although it feels like it’s been here for ages. Danish mid-century tables, Seventies Italian lounge chairs and chic fringed lamps are stacked from floor to ceiling, with records, posters and other smaller treasures squirrelled away inside drawers and behind desks.

Pictured: Roman rooftops

Retro threads

One of the first second-hand shops to open in Rome, Moll Flanders , in the now-hip Monti district, has gained a cult following for its mix of vintage clothing and accessories for men and women, as well as pre-loved pieces from labels such as Sandro and Ann Demeulemeester. Just around the corner is Pulp , a curated store with mint-condition Manolo Blahniks and Eighties skirt suits. Fabio Piccioni is the place to go for heirloom jewellery, and if you’re up for a bit of digging, Omero e Cecilia (sometimes listed as Dafano Omero) is the best of the handful of vintage shops on via del Governo Vecchio. The place feels like a cave, and the dressing room doubles as coffee station, but it has an unbeatable selection of jackets, knitwear and silk cocktail dresses.

Pictured: San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane church

Visiting Arion Esposizioni’s all-white rooms, designed by Firouz Galdo, feels more like entering a spaceship than a bookstore. Located in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, the largest interdisciplinary exhibition hall in the city, this shop is a far cry from your typical space of musty stacks. It contains volumes devoted to art, film, design and photography, with coffee-table tomes, hard-to-find editions and niche style titles displayed like artworks. There’s also a children’s section for introducing the little ones to the work of Magritte and Frida Kahlo.

Pictured: books at Chez Dédé

Contemporary jewels

The tiny Percossi Papi workshop behind the Pantheon is like a jewellery box in itself. Beyond its ivy-draped exterior, walls are lined with mismatched sun-and-moon earrings, celestial sapphire rings, and necklaces with carved enamel and beads of topaz and aquamarine, all influenced by Rome’s baroque history. Jeweller and geologist Fabio Salini makes modern pieces from unusual materials – chunky cuff bracelets with black carbon straps and amethyst buckles, strings of turquoise on straw rope – and though his atelier is by appointment only, it is well worth the trip. Meanwhile, Giorgio Armani launches its first-ever fine-jewellery collection this year with three distinct lines, including Si, an architectural range in black onyx with black diamonds.

Pictured: Display at the Fendi flagship store

Statement clothing

Argentine designer and stylist Soledad Twombly was a pioneer when she started her one-of-a-kind collection, Sole, in 1993. Now based on via di Monserrato, her atelier stocks textile-heavy dresses and embroidered velvet box jackets, as well as Tibetan crockery and Syrian fabrics from her travels. Fashion and accessories store LOL , on via Urbana, has chunky knits, vintage teapots and haberdashery-jewellery sitting alongside emerging brands such as Mes Demoiselles, Kudetà and Liviana Conti. Atelier Bomba is the go-to address for sharp tailoring, with shirts, dresses and jackets in every fabric made to measure. Next door, the founder’s son, Michele Am Russo, creates a limited, much sought-after menswear line.

Pictured: Bag at Chez Dédé

Marti Buckley

Jessica Puckett

Abigail Malbon

Foodie gifts

Sometimes the best souvenirs are the ones that won’t survive the next dinner party. Volpetti is the place to pick up every conceivable variety of cured meats and cheeses, plus bottles of wine, olive oil and vinegar. Another local favourite is Castroni , a retro-chic grocer with pretty tins of biscuits, jars of olives and piles of beautifully wrapped sweets. Keen home chefs head to Vio’s Cooking , where Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga teaches classes for those in search of Italy’s culinary secrets, but her shop also sells food-inspired plates and colourful glassware.

Pictured: Chez Dédé

Local know-how

Delfina Delettrez Fendi

The design-dynasty scion and sculptural fine-jewellery creator

‘Trattoria al Moro has the best tartufo and is so close to the Trevi fountain that you can almost hear the water. And Trattoria Settimio is like eating at your grandma’s. But make sure you introduce yourself – if they don’t know you, they won’t let you in!’

‘Re(f)Use makes amazing accessories and furniture from reclaimed materials. I also like to shop at clerical stores such as Bianchetti – I get nuns’ gowns resized to wear as dresses.’

‘A fun area to explore is Quartiere Coppedè, known as the fantasy district. It’s an unexpected part of the city, with a mix of baroque, Art Nouveau and medieval architecture, where Seventies horror director Dario Argento shot two movies.’

‘My favourite museum is Casa di Giorgio de Chirico. Not many people know that the artist’s home is open to the public. I also go to Gavin Brown’s gallery, which is housed in a small deconsecrated church.’

Address: 24 via di Monserrato Telephone: +39 06 68 13 41 05 website: delfinadelettrez.com

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Like this? Now read: Things to do in Rome, Italy

The 10 best restaurants in Rome

Rome's coolest foodie neighbourhood

Mirror, books and decorative plates at Chez Dédé

Chez Dédé window

Shopping in Rome: The Streets to Know

Those ready to revel in Rome exclusive boutiques will find Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Ermanno Scervino, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Chanel, Tiffany, Bulgari, and so many others. Practically all the streets near the Spanish Steps ( Piazza di Spagna ), including the charming Via del Babbuino that leads to Piazza del Popolo , are dedicated to high fashion and haute couture.

Piazza di Spagna

Piazza del Popolo

Those looking to window-shop rather than buy should traverse this district anyway, noting the window displays and monuments, and maybe even taking coffee in one of a few of Rome's oldest cafes, particularly Antico Caffè Greco . If pricey is not your thing, trendy on a budget is the name of the game on the main thoroughfare of Via del Corso , which also hosts the Galleria Alberto Sordi or Galleria Colonna . Shoppers will like the mix of high and low here (think Guess and Pinko), and can browse through chains like Zara, H& M and Italian department store La Rinascente.

Antico Caffè Greco

Via del Corso

Gallery Column Museum and Pinacoteca

Be sure to check out the neighborhood aorund Campo de Fiori , where Via dei Giubbonari and Via del del Governo Vecchio are lined with a mix of small but locally well-known Roman designers, cult and international underground brands, and some secondhand stores. Via del Boschetto, then, in the super boho chic Monti district , is tops for vintage lovers. Devotees of small, indipendent designers will also appreciate Monti for its original finds, whether in its quaint and cool shops or in the Sunday consignment market .

Campo de' Fiori

Rione Monti

If you find yourself in Prati, just north of the Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica , check out Via Cola di Rienzo and Via Ottaviano. Otherwise, Via Appia Nuova is a huge (mostly low-end fashion bargains) shopping street neighboring the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli

Finally, the certified style set into more than merely purchasing might be interested in Rome's historic fashion events and places. Italy's Capital launched the career of Valentino Garavani of course, and the city honored Maison Valentino with a retrospective on his haute couture collections at the Ara Pacis in 2007. In celebration of the designer's 45th anniversary, " Valentino a Roma: 45 Years of Style" was an exposition of over 300 dresses and archive material. Armani held a similar affair with its Armani Day on October 24, 2013, setting up a fashion show of the Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Privè lines in the EUR district's Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro, more commonly known as the " Square colosseum. "

Museo dell'Ara Pacis

Finally, the historic Fendi family chose the neoclassical structure in Largo Goldoni as its headquarters and boutique in 2005. The seven-floor Palazzo Fendi is an icon in itself, and a big draw at Christmas for its annual lights and decorations (the lights forming a belt that wraps around the building are an enormous hit every year).

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A Guide to Shopping in Rome | Best Things to Buy, Malls, Souvenirs & More

Picture yourself taking in the lavish grandeur of Rome as you wander the city's well-known cobblestone alleys holding a drink of your choice in one hand and shopping bags in the other. Shopping in Rome can be precisely as delightful as this scenario sounds. Read on to know everything about shopping in Rome.

Best Things to Buy in Rome

Accessories

For those who wish to indulge themselves with the most luxurious products from all the well-known Italian designers, shopping in Rome is a must. Well-known brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Trussardi are all up for grabs in Rome.

Where to buy:

• Via Dei Condotti - Find on map
• Via Borgognona - Find on map

Along with apparel, Italian footwear design is distinctive, especially when paired with expertly chosen dresses, suits, or denim. It goes without saying that Roman footwear is well-known and highly regarded throughout the world.

• Piazza di Spagna - Find on map
• Alaro SRL - Find on map
• Footwear Campo Marzio - Find on map

Bags and Wallets

Both luxury brands and more affordable but equally stylish alternatives can be found in Rome. Although the majority of individuals would claim that handbags are the most crucial accessory to get in Rome, scarves, belts, and hats are also fantastic choices.

• Galleria Alberto Sordi - Find on map
• Coccinelle - Find on map
• PuntoPelle - Find on map

Luxury items

There are many high-end items by well-known brands to choose from in Rome, as well as more affordable but equally stunning works of local artisans. Italian fine jewelry has a long history and has always been associated with the Italian stylish look.

• Co.Ro.Jewels - Find on map
• Via del Corso - Find on map

There are numerous stores in Rome that provide cutting-edge home furnishings, including contemporary glasses and decanters, uncommonly shaped silverware and plates, tablecloths and bowls, and amusing and colorful items.

• Piazza del Fico - Find on map
• Satur - Merulana - Find on map
• Blanc Mariclo Rome - Find on map

Cheesemaking traditions date back to very ancient Italian eating customs, and today Rome produces a huge variety of cheeses, from the globally popular Mozzarella to Sardinia's Pecorino to the northern Gorgonzola.

• Antica Caciara - Find on map
• Beppe and His Cheeses - Find on map
• Limata Formaggeria & Salumeria Italiana - Find on map

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How to Plan an Unforgettable Trip to Rome, According to Local Experts

Whether your tastes swing towards art and architecture, high-end shopping and dining, or browsing markets and munching on street food, it’s an exciting time to visit Rome.

Elizabeth Heath is a writer and editor living on a hill in Umbria, from where she writes about travel in Italy, the rest of Europe, and farther afield.

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Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

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For me, the Eternal City is eternally fabulous. No matter how crowded it gets, how dysfunctional its current government is, or how many bad pizzas there are in ratio to good ones, Rome remains. It’s persisted and resisted for more than 2,775 years, and even at this ripe old age, Rome is still evolving. 

It’s an exciting time to visit Rome, and even for people who live there, the flurry of post-pandemic activity in the travel sector has been dizzying. “Archaeological sites that have been fenced-off for years are now accessible to visitors, there’s a host of innovative new tour options, and I can barely keep up with the number of absolutely stunning luxury hotels that have opened ,” says Travel + Leisure contributor and Rome resident Laura Itzkowitz, who also writes about Rome in her newsletter, The New Roman Times . “It’s a delight to see so much investment in the city and so many new ways to experience it.” 

No matter how you decide to see the city or whether your tastes swing towards art and architecture, high-end shopping and dining, or browsing markets and munching on street food, Rome gives you options. We asked Itzkowitz and some other Rome travel experts to weigh in on their favorite places and experiences to recommend in eternal Rome.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Swoon over the cityscape. Few things are as romantic as Rome at night from a vantage point like the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola or the Capitoline Hill.
• See marble turn to flesh. At the Galleria Borghese, Bernini’s lifelike sculptures are a gazillion times more impressive than what you remember from art history class. 
• Do the Full Monty of Italian dining. Bring your appetite and go big, with antipasto, pasta, main course, and dessert at a homey trat like Da Enzo da 29.  
• Get up early. At least once during your stay, request an early wake-up call to discover a deserted city. ArcheoRoma can lead the way. 
• Shop at a market. If you don’t buy produce, trinkets, or street food at a real Roman market like Testaccio or Campo de’ Fiore, have you been to Rome? 

Courtesy of Bettoja Hotels

Palazzo Vilòn

If there’s one thing our experts agree on, it’s that Palazzo Vilòn luxury apartment is the most sumptuous new address in Rome. Nicole Bono, luxury travel and events planner with Bono Events International says, “When they open the doors for you, your jaw will drop.” Gary Portuesi, a T+L Top Travel Advisor with Authentic Explorations , says that at Vilòn, “you get to live like a Roman aristocrat in an intimate palazzo in the best neighborhood.”

Singer Palace

“I'm in love with the Singer Palace these days,” says Bono of this 19th-century beauty in the former Singer sewing machine headquarters. “It's family-owned, and that is felt with every single detail in this property. You're truly cuddled from the moment you walk in the door till your last Spritz before you leave.”

Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel

T+L readers’ favorite hotel in Rome is also a hit with Portuesi, who raves about its “with its unique and secluded Mediterranean tiered secret garden walking distance from the Spanish Steps, Fontana di Trevi and Piazza del Popolo.” The hotel’s Stravinskij Bar remains one of Rome’s most elegant locales for a cocktail.  

Hotel Mediterraneo

Every time I exit Termini Station, I sigh with comfort at the sight of this trusty four-star in a fascist-era Art Deco building. Stepping through the doors feels like stepping back in time, in a good way, with old-school service, a delightful lobby bar, and humongous suites, some with skyline views of Rome.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Basilica di San Clemente

For a real sense of how Rome’s history is layered like a lasagna, head to this church near the Colosseum — or rather, underneath it. An atmospheric archaeological area beneath the not-too-shabby 12th-century church holds an even earlier Christian church, which lies on top of a pagan altar and an ancient Roman apartment building.  

ArcheoRunning

If you’re a runner, join archaeologist, guide, and running enthusiast Isabella Calidonna on an early morning jogging tour through Rome's truly magical empty streets. (Trust me, it’s okay if you run slowly.) If you’re not a runner, don’t sweat it — she’ll be happy to do the same informative tour at a walking pace. 

Via del Governo Vecchio

Spend a late afternoon vintage shopping on my favorite street in Rome , then stick around for an aperitivo, followed by pizza and gelato. If that trifecta of Roman drinking and eating isn’t enough, this splendid street near Piazza Navona has a buzzy but manageable bar-hopping scene. 

Largo Argentina

Want to stand at the very site (or very near it, anyway) where Julius Caesar lost his life? Long visible only from street level and best known as a cat sanctuary among picturesque ruins, the archaeological area at Largo Argentina site is now open to the public, thanks to funding from Bulgari . The Curia of Pompeo, where Caesar got shivved, stands near the ruins of four ancient temples.

Galleria Borghese

Reserve your tickets in advance and prepare to be overwhelmed by the beauty here, both of the ornate salons of this noble palace turned art museum, and the amazing works inside, including Bernini’s spellbinding "Rape of Proserpine" and several Caravaggio paintings.

Testaccio Market

This sprawling covered market in the working-class Testaccio neighborhood offers an authentic slice of Roman daily life. Even if you’re not shopping for clothing, produce or fresh fish, stop for some of Rome’s best street food, especially a suppli at Food Box or a drippy panino at Modri e Vai. 

Itzkowitz is a fan of this artisan jeweler in Monti and even had owner Antonio design a pair of custom earrings for her wedding. If you don’t have time for a made-to-order bauble, the shop has many original designs, many of which feature colorful gemstones.

Essenzialmente Laura

For a real only-in-Rome gift or souvenir, Portuesi refers friends and clients to the perfumery of Laura Bosetti Tonatto, who’s made custom scents for celebrities, royals, and aristocrats, including Queen Elizabeth II. “You can create your own perfect perfume or find the scent you love,” he says. 

La Bottega del Marmoraro

It’s hard to imagine a store like this anywhere else — a tiny workshop on pretty Via Margutta where stone carver Sandro Fiorentino tinks away at marble plaques by hand. “I love to bring out-of-town visitors here,” says Itzkowitz. “Prices start at around 15 euros, which means you can find an affordable, handmade souvenir.”

Courtesy of Hassler Hotel

Fontana dell'Acqua Paola

Some of the best things in Rome are free, including the views from this monumental fountain high on the Janiculum hill. It’s one of T+L’s top underrated things to do in Rome . Fans of the Oscar-winning film “Rome, the Great Beauty” will recognize this majestic spot.

This classy bar offers great cocktails and light bites with a sublime view. “A table there in the stunning Piazza di Pietra,” says Bono, “with the incredible Roman columns all lit up is truly magical, and it feels like it's just there for you."

Hassler Hotel 7th Floor Terrace

The recipe for an unforgettable Roman evening: Start with panoramic city views from atop the Spanish Steps, stir in a specialty cocktail, garnish with some elevated aperitivo fare, and drink it all in at one of our favorite family-run hotels in Italy and one of the absolute best in Rome.

Da Enzo da 29

Despite its near-legendary status and the long lines for a table (Enzo doesn’t take reservations), Itzkowitz says a meal here is “worth the wait and lives up to the hype — every time.” She’s a fan of the handmade tonarelli cacio e pepe but says that the food here is consistently good across the menu. 

Trattoria Da Cesare Al Pellegrino

This new-in-2023 sister property of a neighborhood favorite in residential Monteverde brings hearty, traditional Roman pasta and meat dishes to the centro storico. “Run, don't walk,” says Bono, “because this city location is super charming, and tourists haven't found it yet.”

Pro Loco Pinciano

Portuesi says you’ll feel like a local at this super-casual pizza and pasta joint just outside the city walls, where the emphasis is on ingredients and wines sourced from the surrounding region on Lazio. Charcuterie platters are delicious and abundant here. 

L'Antica Pesa

Regularly named one of the best restaurants in Rome, this Trastevere culinary landmark is, per Portuesi, “a standard and consistent classic” and worth crossing the river for. Head here for a special dinner or when you’re ready to go big (before going home, maybe?) and order an appetizer, pasta (primo), meat, and dessert for the full Italian dining experience.

You’ve heard all the warnings about visiting in high summer, but if that’s the only time you have to visit, Itzkowitz says to do as the Romans do: rest in your cool hotel room in the afternoon and venture out again in the early evening. Bono agrees that summer can be...sticky but adds, “Those summer sunsets on a rooftop with an Aperol spritz certainly make for that 'Dolce Vita moment' we all crave.”

Portuesi recommends November, as it’s still relatively warm and the crowds have thinned out; January, when sale season starts; or April and October. “Tourists might still be there, but the colors of spring and autumn are amazing, and temperatures are on the warm side.” I love visiting in January or February when the crowds are much more manageable, and if you’re lucky, you can catch some lovely, crisp, sunny days.

Most visitors fly into Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino Airport (FCO). From there, you can take a 30-minute non-stop train to Termini, the central station, and take a taxi, Metro, bus, or tram to your accommodation. A cab from FCO to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls costs 50 euros. Ride-sharing services other than Uber Black are not available in Rome. 

Rome’s historic center is primarily flat and highly walkable. Many visitors take the Metro to reach the Vatican Museums, then walk back into the city from there (or take a cab from St. Peter’s Square). 

Buses and Metro, both run by ATAC , are also reliable ways to get around, though depending on the distance, walking may be faster. Note that taxis in Rome cannot be hailed on the street. Instead, they wait at taxi stands or ranks generally located near tourist areas. 

I strongly recommend against renting a car in Rome, as traffic and parking are a mess and the centro is a maze of one-way streets, many of which are pedestrian-only. If you pick up a car in Rome for a more extended tour in Italy, make sure you have your route mapped out in advance — and nerves of steel. 

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Where and what to shop in Rome?

On a holiday in Rome there are plenty of attractions to see and several museums and historical buildings to discover. Rome is the capital city of Italy and it is among the most visited cities in the whole world and in Europe as well. The historical city has a lot of programs and activities during the whole year and every year thousands and millions of tourists come to Rome for vacations. In the city apart from the ancient buildings and attractions there are several restaurants, bars, pubs and shops worth visiting. Keep on reading to find out where to shop in Rome, but not only where to shop, but what you should be buying when you have reached the store.

Castroni (Via Cola di Rienzo, 196)

Castroni is a lovely speciality store in the heart of Rome. Castroni sells a wide selection of various chocolates and sweets and the store is specialised in traditional Italian sweets but you can buy freshly made sandwiches as well. The Castroni also sells all kind of Italian wines, coffees and other gifts for a fair price. The price is a little higher than in other sweet shops but the quality of the products are extremely good. There are lots of Castroni stores around in Rome, but above you can see the address of one of them.

Franchi (Via Cola di Rienzo, 200/204)

Franchi is a gourmet grocery store near to Castroni. Franchi sells a wide selection of dried mushrooms, pramigiano cheese and other specialties as well. At Franchi you can also have lunch. At the store there are only a few tables and there are no chairs so you have to eat standing at the tables or you can take your lunch away. The service at Franchi is friendly and quick. It is highly recommended to everyone.

Coin (P.le Appio, 7)

Coin is a department store in Rome. There are plenty of Coins in the city but the one at Piazzale Appio is the best. There are a wide range of clothing stores and all kind of stores where you can buy various women cosmetics. At Coin you can find all the well known brands such as Guess and Desigual. It is a perfect place for shopping for a fair price and the staff is helpful. In the basement there is a big supermarket.

Via del Corso

Via del Corso is located in the heart of Rome. It is a nice street for shopping where you can find all the designer and luxury stores, there are countless clothing stores and you can also find some restaurants and bars around as well. It is definitely not the cheapest place to do your shopping. The Via del Corso is really close to the Trevi Fountain . It is one of the most popular spots in Rome for shopping and it is always really crowded full of with tourists.

If you want to know more where and what you can see in the city and where to stay during a holiday check the following site for more information on the programs in the city. If you want to read a similar article to find out what you should buy while in Krakow in Poland, visit the Krakow Guide and get wiser.

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Rome was called the “ Eternal City ” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing . Exploring the city center by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the “glory that was Rome”.

Rome Travel Guide

• General Information
• Things to do
• Getting to Rome
• Public Transport
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Why visit Rome?  

With its unparalleled history, Rome is the third most visited city in Europe and the fourteenth worldwide. It attracts visitors from all over the world who are impatient to discover the city’s impressive monuments and archaeological sites ; not to mention its renowned cuisine and its lively atmosphere.

When exploring the Colosseum , visitors will easily imagine how the gladiators fought for their lives in the arena, cheered by the crowd. In the Circus Maximus , travelers will picture the chariots crashing into each other in order to be first in the race, and in the Roman Forum visualize what the Roman public life was like.

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If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, we suggest visiting our search engine , where you’ll find all types of hotels, hostels, and apartments with the best rates guaranteed . You can get up to a 75% discount and pay once you get to your destination.

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top activities

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour Skip the endless queues for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel—explore the most iconic landmarks in the Vatican City accompanied by an expert guide .

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums + St Peter's Basilica On this tour, you'll get access to the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning, avoiding all the crowds . We'll also visit  St Peter's Basilica .

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour Travel back in time to Ancient Rome and discover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this guided tour with priority access !

Colosseum Tour + Gladiator's Entrance When in Rome, don’t miss the eternal Colosseum! Access the arena through the Gladiator’s Gate, the entrance used by the ancient Roman fighters.

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour Discover the extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures housed in the Borghese Gallery , one of Rome's must-see art museums .

Florence & Pisa Day Trip Discover two incredible jewels in Tuscany on our Florence & Pisa Day Trip from Rome. You'll see the Duomo , the Ponte Vecchio and the Leaning Tower .

Pompeii & Naples Day Trip Set off on a full day trip and discover the ruins of Pompeii , followed by a panoramic tour of Naples , one of the world's oldest constantly populated cities.

Rome Night Tour On this night tour of Rome ,   we'll visit the most iconic piazzas , streets and monuments of the Italian capital when the city comes to life at dusk.

Rome Fiumicino Airport Shuttle Bus Are you travelling to Rome? Book this shuttle bus between Fiumicino Airport and Rome so you can get into the city centre comfortably and quickly.

Italian Pasta & Tiramisu Workshop If you love Italian cuisine, then don't miss out on this  Italian Pasta and Tiramisu Workshop . You'll learn how to make some staple Italian dishes!

Day Trip to Venice by High Speed Train Experience a day trip from Rome to Venice on a high-speed train and explore its beautiful canals and historic centre at your own pace.

Audience With Pope Francis An audience with Pope Francis is a unique spiritual experience . Your guide will take care of everything, so you can go relaxed.

Castel Sant'Angelo Tour + Terrace Access A refuge for popes and an ancient Roman mausoleum , Castel Sant'Angelo harbours great secrets. On this guided tour we'll unveil its most hidden mysteries.

Rome Ciampino Airport Shuttle Bus With this shuttle service between Ciampino Airport and Rome, you'll be in the centre of the Italian capital in less than an hour. The eternal city awaits you!

Rome Electric Tuk Tuk Tour Explore the Eternal City through an eco-conscious lens with our electric tuk tuk tour of Rome  and roam the Italian capital's streets in a zero-emission vehicle!

St Peter's Basilica Guided Tour + Dome Climb Enjoy the best views of Rome by climbing the 320 steps leading up to the dome of St. Peter's . We'll also visit the interior of the Basilica!

Set off on a day trip from Rome across the Italian countryside to discover the birthplace of St Francis  in the charming town of Assisi .

Rome Sightseeing Cruise on the Tiber River Take a sightseeing cruise along the Tiber River and enjoy spectacular 360º views of Rome from the water. You can hop on and off as many times as you want!

This tourist bus is the perfect way to discover Rome . You can choose different routes with numerous stops and hop on and off as many times as you want!

Trastevere Food Tour Feast your eyes and stomach during a 3-hour food tour in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most bohemian neighborhoods and sample the delicious Italian gastronomy.

Private Walking Tour of Rome Explore the Eternal City's most iconic sights accompanied by an expert guide just for you and your partner, family or friends.  Discover the best of Rome !

Basilicas Tour and Secret Underground Catacombs Discover some of the most symbolic sites in Christian history: the Catacombs and two of the world's most important Basilicas on this tour of the Eternal City.

Papal Audience & Vatican Museums Tour Enjoy this unique experience of the Holy See with this combination tour which includes an  audience with Pope Francis and a visit to the Vatican Museums .

Roam the underbelly of Rome on this tour of its underground system . Walk  the Appian Way and Caffarella and   dive into the lesser-known side of the Eternal City !

Trevi Fountain and its Underground World On this  tour of the Trevi Fountain and its underground world , we'll reveal the hidden treasures and history of the most  fountain in Rome . 

Ponza Island Day Trip Enjoy a  day trip from Rome to Ponza Island . Cruise along the waters, feel the breeze in your hair and cool off with a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea!

Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Day Trip Visit the two treasures of Tivoli on this day trip: Hadrian's Villa, Roman Emperor's retreat, and Villa d'Este, a Renaissance mansion with magnificent gardens.

Tuk Tuk Tour around Rome Tour Rome in the most comfortable way on this tuk tuk tour. We'll explore its seven hills and learn tons of historical fun facts about the eternal city.

OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card The OMNIA Card is a sightseeing pass that includes priority access to Rome’s main attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City .

Palazzo Santa Chiara Opera Concert Treat yourself to a unique experience during your stay in Rome when you attend a fantastic opera concert at the Palazzo Santa Chiara .

Castel Sant'Angelo Ticket + Audio Guide Explore the intriguing history of Castel Sant'Angelo with this admission ticket + audio guide. Uncover the mysteries of one of Rome's most cryptic monuments !

Rome Mysteries & Legends Free Tour Wandering ghosts and enigmas in Caravaggio's works ... Discover the hidden side of the city with this free tour of Rome's mysteries and legends.

Baths of Caracalla & Circus Maximus Guided Tour Go back in time on this walking tour of the Bath of Caracalla, the most luxurious thermae of the Roman Empire . Then marvel at the remains of the Circus Maximus.

Rome Pub Crawl Are you ready to discover the vibrant nightlife of the Italian capital ? Join us on this pub crawl through Rome and experience it for yourself!

Free Walking Tour of Rome The city of the Caesars, of Baroque and, of course, The Eternal City. Discover Rome with this free walking tour of the Italian capital .

Italian Pizza Workshop Visit Rome and enjoy a delicious pizza made with your own hands . Try this Italian Pizza Workshop and learn how to make one of the country's most famous dishes.

Rome Photo Tour Discover the most Instagrammable locations in the Italian capital and show off your trip with this Rome Photo Tour.  Benvenuti a Roma !

Rome Hard Rock Cafe Come to the Rome Hard Rock Cafe and enjoy an exquisite menu of American food in an emblematic place where the rhythm of rock is felt in every corner. 

Welcome to Rome Tickets Immerse yourself in Rome's thrilling history when you buy a ticket for the fascinating Welcome to Rome multimedia experience .

The impressive dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa has fascinated the whole world for centuries. Discover it with this guided tour of Ancient Rome .

St. Peter's Basilica Tickets: Dome Access + Audioguide Secure your ticket to St. Peter's Basilica for an experience that includes access to its magnificent dome and a self-guided tour with an English audio guide .

Mostra di Leonardo Ticket Discover some of the most amazing inventions by the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci with this ticket to the Mostra di Leonardo museum.

The Three Tenors Concert The church of  St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome opens its doors to you to offer you the show The Three Tenors. Enjoy an unforgettable opera concerto.

Rome Catacombs Tour & Appian Way Visit the catacombs of Rome with an expert English-speaking guide during a 3-hour half day-trip, also discovering the fascinating Villa di Massenzio.

Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Discover the legacy of the Imperial City on a guided tour of Ostia Antica, an ancient harbor town only 30 km from Rome. Travel back in time with this tour!

La Traviata with Ballet Entrance Ticket Enjoy one of the most famous operas of all time in the magical setting of the St Paul's Within the Walls Church with this La Traviata Ballet Entrance Ticket.

Capitoline Museum Guided Tour Marvel at one of Rome’s most important museums , the Capitoline Museums, followed by a visit to Piazza del Campidoglio on top of the Capitoline Hill.

Visit the largest Roman amphitheater in the world on this guided tour of the Colosseum. An absolute must if you're in the Italian capital!

Capri Day Trip Like the writers and artists before you, you'll fall in love with Capri on this unmissable tour. Discover the island's myths, legends and Blue Grotto .

Rome Bike Tour Tour the Italian capital on two wheels whilst you enjoy an electric bike tour of the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and much more .

Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer Discover Rome from a privileged perspective as you relax with this Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer. You'll see symbolic places such as the Umberto I Bridge.

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Tour Enjoy a walking guided tour of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto and soak up the neighborhood’s bohemian atmosphere with numerous landmarks to visit.

Rome Squares and Fountains Guided Tour Set off on a walking guided tour of Rome and discover some of its iconic landmarks, such as the Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona .

Wine Tasting in Rome Italy is world-renowned for its tradition of wine-making. Indulge your senses on this wine tasting tour of Rome with an expert sommelier!

Rome Fascist History Tour discover the architecture designed in Rome at the time of Benito Mussolini's fascist dictatorship with this Rome Fascist History Tour.

Go City: Rome Explorer Pass The Go City: Roma Explorer Pass  tourist card gives you access to the  main attractions in the Italian capital, such as the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.

Janiculum, Trastevere and Jewish Quarter Guided Tour On this fascinating tour of the Gianicolo , Trastevere and   the Jewish Quarter  in Rome, we'll gain a truly unique perspective of the Italian capital.

Rome: Angels and Demons, the Illuminati Adventure Quest Impersonate Robert Langdon himself for a day in this puzzle hunt in Rome: Angels and Demons , the Illuminati Hunt. The best way to explore the city!

Bioparco di Roma Ticket With your ticket to the Bioparco of Rome you will discover this zoo located in the heart of the city, inside Villa Borghese, an ideal plan for families!

Entrance to IKONO Rome Looking for a unique plan in the Italian capital? With a ticket to IKONO Rome , you'll get to explore this creative space and become a part of the art!

Rome Street Art Tour Discover secrets and the most interesting glimpses throughout the most colourful district with this Rome Street Art Tour. Explore the captivating capital city!

Lake Albano Kayak Tour If you're in Rome and want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city , join us on this kayak tour on Lake Albano .

Roma World Entrance Ticket Don't miss out on your ticket to Roma World , a theme park in which you'll travel back in time to the ancient and powerful Roman Empire .

Private Photoshoot outside of the Colosseum Remember your trip to Rome forever with this private photoshoot outside the Colosseum - we'll make sure you look your best beside the iconic monument!

Cinecittà World Ticket With this entrance ticket to Cinecittà World you can visit real film sets and travel to the imaginary worlds of movies and TV series .

Ischia 5-Day Tour Are you in Rome? Join us to visit the most beautiful islands in the Napolitan archipelago  on this  5-day tour of Ischia . You'll love it!

Roma World Ticket + Roma on Fire Show With this ticket to Roma World, you'll be able to enjoy a visit to this amazing theme park about the Roman Empire  on the outskirts of the Italian capital.

Private Tuk-Tuk Tour of Rome Would you like to see the Eternal City in the most comfortable way ? On this private tuk-tuk tour of Rome , we'll tour the capital of Italy in an exclusive group.

Capri + Pompeii Day Trip Pompeii and Capri  are two must-see stops in Campania. Discover their history and beauty on this day trip from Rome . Don't miss out!

Aqua World Ticket Do you want to combat the heat in Rome ? With this ticket to Aqua World, you'll have a blast at the swimming pools and slides at  Cinecittà World

Naples to Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Relax in southern Italy with this Naples to Capri Tour lasting 2/3 days. Discover Pompeii's incredible history, Sorrento's cuisine and Capri's beauty .

Florence Excursion by High Speed Train Known as the "City of Art", Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. On this day trip, we'll tour its historic centre and the Uffizi Gallery.

5 Day Tour: The Best of Italy The best of Italy in just 5 days! Asisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice and Montepulciano  are the cities we take in on the tour.

Colosseum Guided Night Visit Visit one of Rome's most iconic monuments all lit up at the most magical time of day on our  Colosseum Guided Night Visit at dusk .

Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Day Trip From Pope Alexander VII to Benedict XVI , numerous popes have spent the holidays at the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo . Explore its links with the Vatican!

The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi With this classical music concert, you'll experience all Four Seasons of the famous Antonio Vivaldi . An unforgettable concert in an incomparable setting!

Vatican Museums Private Tour Step into the legacy of the Italian city-state on this Vatican Private Tour. Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with just your family or friends!

Colosseum Private Tour Discover the World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World with this  Colosseum Private Tour . Explore the Roman site with an exclusive guide.

Day Trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti On this tour to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti , we'll discover the beautiful region of Tuscany - including medieval towns, and a visit to a wine cellar!

Rome Layover Tour Take advantage of your time at Rome airport to explore the Italian capital with this Rome Layover Tour. You'll discover the charm of the beautiful Eternal City.

Rome Private Day Trips Explore the beautiful Italian cities of Naples, Pompeii, Ostia or Assisi with these Rome Private Day Trips. You'll have an exclusive guide just for your group.

Pompeii & Minori Tour: 3 Days Discover the impressive ruins of Pompeii , explore the Almafi Coast  & enjoy 2 nights in Minori on this incredible 3-day tour.

Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Be captivated by the glamour of the Italian island with this Capri Tour lasting 2 or 3 days. Explore the fascinating Mediterranean cave, the Blue Grotto.

Rome Private Tour with Driver Fall in love with Rome with this private tour with driver. Choose your route, and enjoy a comfortable tour solely for you and your travel companions.

Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Ticket Discover the green lung of Vatican City on this tour of its gardens. You'll also visit the Sistine Chapel and take a self-guided tour of the Vatican Museums.

The most complete guide of Rome

This guide has been written by travelers like yourself and it's designed to help you plan your stay in Rome, so that you get the most out of the city as possible, whether you're staying for 2 days or a month. Find out what the top attractions  and the best places to eat are, which museums are worthwhile, and where to stay in Rome. If you’re traveling on a budget, we have also an article on how to save money while visiting this fascinating city, and the daily costs , so that you're prepared before getting to Italy.

The information provided in this guide was updated in  January 2023 . If you find a mistake or would like to make a suggestion, please do not hesitate to  contact us .

Our travel guides

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• where to stay
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Plan Your Trip to Rome: Best of Rome Tourism

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Where to stay

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Travelers' pro tips or experiencing rome.

Restaurants near major tourist destinations often have a fixed-price, or tourist menu. It's better to avoid those restaurants and find a restaurant further away from the tourist attraction for higher quality meals.

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Dress as you want but always take an extra piece of clothes to gain access to churches and museums.

You won't need to know a word of Italian to enjoy your trip. However, learning a few key words and phrases will be fun, helpful, and sometimes make you a little more appreciated.

Rome is an unforgettable city. From its beautiful buildings that have withstood time itself to the majestic, graceful, Mediterannean Pines. It's a living museum of history and art like nowhere else in the world.

Rome is one of the most beautiful,photogenic cities in the world. A mixture of modernity and tradition. The more you visit the more you love to go back.

It breathes history and art at every step you take and behind every corner there's a surprise.

What is the best way to get there?

Rome is served by the Leonardo da Vinci–(Fiumicino) International Airport.

Stazione Termini is the main railway station in Rome with regular train services to all major Italian cities, as well as daily international services to Munich, Geneva, and Vienna.

Do I need a visa?

Italy is part of the Schengen Area with many other European countries. This means tourists from certain countries don’t require a visa for trips less than 90 days — as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.

Find more information about the Schengen Visa and what countries are exempt  here .

When is the best time to visit?

Late fall to early spring (October to April): Avoid Rome in July and August unless you can handle heat and humidity with temperatures reaching high 80s°F (26.6°C). Spring and fall offer perfect conditions with temperatures 60 - 70 °F ( 15.5 - 21°C), but the trade-off is peak crowds and prices.

Instead, visit during the off-season months of October through April, when you’ll trade shorter opening hours for fewer crowds. Winter is crisp, but nothing a light coat can’t handle.

Uber Jump offers electric bike hire through its bike-share app .

The Rome Metro, run by ATAC, operates 3 lines which run from about 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. On Fridays and Saturdays service ends later, at about 1:30 a.m.

When the Metro is closed, a night bus service operates with lines that follow the same routes and stop at the same stations as the Metro.

For more information about the network and fares,  see here .

Rome’s public bus service, run by ATAC, operates services from about 5.30 a.m. to midnight daily. The city’s night bus service runs from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Licensed, metered cabs are white with a “TAXI” sign on their roofs. The symbol of Rome City Council is also clearly visible on the front doors.

You can hail a taxi from the street but it is recommended to go to one of the city’s many taxi stands or call to book.

For more information about fares, who to call and where to find a taxi stand,  see here .

ridesharing

Uber is available in Rome on your smartphone.

On the ground

What is the timezone.

Central European Standard Time

What are the voltage/plug types?

The standard voltage in Italy is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Wall outlets typically accommodate plugs with two or three round pins.

What is the currency?

Are atms readily accessible, are credit cards widely accepted, how much do i tip.

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy, however, a tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.

Are there local customs I should know?

The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.

Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.

Rome is full of churches and places of worship, so dress neatly and respectfully — cover bare shoulders and refrain from wearing short skirts or shorts when sightseeing.

Meals should be savoured and enjoyed, not eaten on the go while walking.

Italians take their coffee culture seriously. Milk-based coffee beverages are considered breakfast, so don’t order them after 11 a.m. — stick to espressos instead. Coffee is also meant to be enjoyed as a digestive after a meal.

Learning a few basic Italian phrases will go a long way as a sign of respect.

• Hotel Artemide
• Hotel Colosseum
• Hotel Barocco
• Singer Palace Hotel
• The Hoxton Rome
• Osteria da Fortunata - Pellegrino
• Bono Bottega Nostrana - San Pietro
• Pinsitaly Trevi
• La Fata Ignorante - Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
• Trevi Fountain
• Galleria Borghese
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
• Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
• Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour
• Self Guided Tour Colosseum Skip the Line Ticket
• Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group

When is the best time to go to Rome?

Jun 21, 2023 • 6 min read

Plan the perfect time for your trip to Rome with this seasonal guide © Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia / Getty Images

Experiencing the best of Rome  isn’t just a question of what to see or who to travel with, but when to plan your trip.

The great thing is that Rome is always open for business, so you could come any time of the year and you’ll find a city full of warmth and activity. Time it just right, and you could also avoid the endless queues and frustrations.

From crowds to climate, here's what to expect through the year in Rome.

Spring and fall are magical times to visit Rome 

When in doubt, aim for the shoulder seasons. Italy tends to awaken from its winter slumber for the Easter holidays, and while it isn’t the beginning of the tourist season yet it is the time when Italians begin to take long weekends to enjoy the country. As such, it’s also one of the best times to catch great deals on flights and accommodation.

Visiting Rome in the spring means taking part in those first giant bursts of life that creep into the city, from flowers and trees blooming to the first sunny days with overflowing terraces where time stops mattering. You might well run the risk of hitting a rainy day here and there but once the clouds part and life resumes, the sun tends to shine even brighter. 

Post summer is so famously celebrated in Rome that there is a specific, ancient term for it: Ottobrata Romana (“Roman October”). Dating back to the traditional harvest period, early fall was the time when Romans would leave the city to imbibe in freshly crushed grapes in the gentle sunshine and crisp air that accompanied the end of summer heat. These days, Romans still rejoice but do it more in the form of long walks through the city and extended aperitivi sessions that soak up every ray of crisp sunshine. If you’re looking for a time to enjoy Rome the way it should be, late spring and early fall are it.

Summertime in Rome is hot and busy

There’s no bad time to visit Rome, per se, but the city is notoriously crowded in the summer and, if you visit during those sultry months of June to September, your experience will inevitably be colored by it. And to be fair, it’s not only foreign tourists that are doing the crowding: scores of students march on the capital in their organized school trips, swarming the most famous sites in the way that only disinterested teenagers can do (a universal condition). Additionally, there are concerts and festivals and all manner of delightful (and enormous) gatherings around the city, many of which are scheduled during the summer months. This can bring 50,000 people or more to a central location like the Circo Massimo or Terme di Caracalla , which means even more buses and crowds on top of the buses and crowds that are already there.

Plus, it’s hot. Let me repeat myself to just emphasize how hot it is: it’s so hot. It's blindingly and oppressively warm from noon until about 6pm in Rome in the summer. Consequently, every human who has to not only be outside but also function in some way as part of society is going to be perilously short on patience, from the taxi driver to the tour guide to the gelato shop owner who would really like to be anywhere else out of the heat. As you inch closer to the sacred Ferragosto holidays on August 15, Italians will be ever more anxious to get out of town and escape the cauldron. If you want your interactions to be more than transactions when you come to Italy, it helps to keep this in mind. Moreover, prices on just about everything tend to increase with the temperature so be prepared to pay a premium if you choose a summer stint in Rome.

But, want to see a magic trick? All you need to do is go about three or four streets away from most of the major tourist attractions in Rome, and *poof*, crowds disappear. This is the great thing about many of the most popular places in Italy, for those of us willing to dig a little deeper: massive crowds tend to cluster around the most popular sites, and many of those are in the tightest corners. The Trevi Fountain is in a little piazza and to get there you need to take a route through narrow streets; the Pantheon predates pretty much all of the real estate around it, so it is unsurprisingly a tight squeeze. And while the Colosseum may have been built for lions and gladiators, it’s no match for tour buses and Instagram. So if you do find yourself in the city during those summer months, know that there are many options for less hectic travel, and tons of quieter  neighborhoods all around Rome that are well worth a visit.

Avoid crowds by heading to Rome in January or February

No matter what time of year you visit, you'll never have Rome all to yourself. There will always be traffic jams and some giant delegation in town that clogs the streets with dignitaries and their entourages. You’ll always have rush hour on the metro or bus , and bustling throngs in and out of the major train stations. Life is happening all the time in Rome, but if you’re here during the post-Christmas holidays, you’ll find a more muted city where your budget stretches significantly further than other times of the year. January and February are ideal times for museum lovers to wander without lines and for foodies to make every reservation they’d never get otherwise. 

No matter the time of year, bring a scarf 

The weather is not a subject for small talk in Italy as it is in many other places. People talk about it with a reverence reserved for gods, and if you spend any amount of time interacting with Italians they will inevitably have some advice for you pertaining to it. The weather in Rome is by and large very pleasant: it's a Mediterranean climate with sunny days and cooler nights that rarely get below freezing, and rainy periods that can hit from November to March or April. The summer is hot during the day but tends to cool down a bit at night, although like any city it will still tend towards the stuffy and humid. 

However, and if there is one thing that any of us should learn about Italy, it is this: wear a scarf. Italians have been locked in an eternal battle against the colpa di aria , crudely translated to a "stiff breeze". It could strike at any time, be it the crisp mornings in January (wear a scarf) or the overly air-conditioned restaurant in mid-August (wear a scarf). It may hit in the middle of an Easter walk through St Peter’s Square (wear a scarf) or in an evening stroll through Ostiense (wear a scarf). The answer to very nearly every question pertaining to the weather in Italy is wear a scarf or at the very least, have a scarf handy. It may seem silly at first but I promise that once you get used to it, you’ll wonder how you ever did otherwise. And hey, in the worst case scenario, you’ll look pretty good on your Roman holiday . 

This article was first published Mar 17, 2021 and updated Jun 21, 2023.

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