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In Rome, shopping is an art form. Perhaps it’s the fashionably bespectacled commuter wearing Giorgio Armani as he deftly zips through traffic on his Vespa, or all those Anita Ekberg, Audrey Hepburn, and Julia Roberts films that make us long to be Roman for a day. But with limited time and no Hollywood studio backing you, the trick is to find what you’re looking for and still not miss out on the city’s museums and monuments—and, of course, leave yourself plenty of euros to enjoy the rest of your trip.
Since you may be pressed for time, knowing how and where to put your best fashion foot forward is crucial. Luckily for shop-till-you-droppers, you can still fit your shopping sprees in between sights. A visit to the Trevi Fountain means not only reliving the movie classic Three Coins in a Fountain, but puts you within striking distance of some of the city's best shopping. Pose for a picture-perfect snapshot at Piazza di Spagna, as you keep your eye on that delicious handbag in the window at Dolce & Gabbana.
There may be no city that takes shopping quite as seriously as Rome, and no district more worthy of your time than Piazza di Spagna, with its abundance of shops and designer powerhouses like Fendi and Armani. The best of them are clumped tightly together along the city's three primary fashion arteries: Via dei Condotti, Via Borgognona, and Via Frattina. From Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Navona and on to Campo de' Fiori, shoppers will find an explosive array of shops within walking distance of one another: a shop for fine handmade Amalfi paper looks out upon the Pantheon, while slick boutiques anchor the corners of 18th-century Piazza di Spagna. Across town in the colorful hive that is Monti, a second-generation mosaic artist creates Italian masterpieces on a street named for a pope who died before America was even discovered. Even in Trastevere, one can find one of Rome's rising shoe designers creating next-century nuovo chic shoes nestled on a side street beside one of the city’s oldest churches.
This chapter will help shopaholics choose the perfect souvenir for someone back home, find a vintage poster, choose a boutique for those molto chic Versace sandals, or rustle up some truffles. When you’re done filling your bags with memories of Mamma Roma, you can be sure of two things: that you’ll be nostalgic for Caput Mundi long after you arrive back home, and that you’ve saved a few coins to throw into that fabulous, famous fountain.
Set in a dazzling, seven-story space, Italy's best-known department store is packed top to bottom with luxury goods, from cosmetics, handbags, and accessories to ready-to-wear designer sportswear to kitchen items and housewares. Even if you're not planning on buying anything, the basement excavations of a Roman aqueduct and the roof terrace bar with its splendid view are well worth a visit. There's also a location at Piazza Fiume.
This Navona jewel, around since 1945, is crammed top to bottom with artistic, well-crafted puppets, dolls, masks, stuffed animals, and other toys for children of all ages that encourage imaginative (and low-tech) play and learning.
This modest shop is brimming with fantastic small gifts ranging from handmade ceramic volcanoes to tote bags crafted from vintage Italian silk. Assemblea finds artisans throughout the country and makes its quirky creations available in Rome, so every item featured is guaranteed to be made in Italy.
Chock-full of educational, fair-trade, and eco-friendly toys that share shelf space with retro and vintage favorites, Città del Sole is a child-friendly delight. Items are arranged by age group, and the staffers are knowledgeable in guiding you toward the perfect puzzle, gadget, or book.
Department stores aren't the norm in Italy, but Coin comes close with its large selection of upscale accessories; cosmetics; and clothing for men, women, and children. Searching for a pressure-driven espresso machine, a simpler stove-top Bialetti model, or a pizza wheel? You can find these and other high-quality, stylish housewares, too. There are 10 branches of this store around Rome, including a smaller one at Termini station.
This irreverent shop is a great bet for unexpected souvenirs—from accessories to home goods to stationery supplies—from your Roman holiday. Retro tube socks dedicated to pizza appreciation and mouth-watering puzzles featuring high-definition photos of plates of pasta are a few of the fun and funky tchotchkes on offer.
Recently relocated to a larger location, I Pinco Pallino has extraordinary clothing for boys and girls, be it a tulle petal jumper or couture maroon velvet suits. Parents will swoon over their über-fashionable lines for young ones.
For an interesting jumble of stalls hawking vintage jewelry, furniture, artwork, and other collectibles, check out this colorful flea market held on the first and third Sunday of every month (except for August). It's open from 9 am until sunset.
Taking its name from the common childhood demand “put me down,” this shop has been styling the littlest Romans for more than three decades. It's stocked with European brands to outfit children from head to toe, plus all the toys, bags, and adorable accessories a tiny tot can tote. There are two neighboring storefronts: one for ages 0–3 and the other for ages 4–14.
Dating from 1850 and adhering strictly to family recipes passed on from generation to generation, this shop makes some of Rome's finest chocolate delicacies and other sweet treats. The selection of more than 80 confections includes everything from dark-chocolate truffles to marrons glacés. The chocolates shaped like every letter of the alphabet are perennial favorites, though.
This massive covered market is an excellent place to wander thanks to its Italian, Asian, and African specialties. Many of Rome's top restaurants get their main ingredients here.
This fiercely independent bookstore with neon signs and bursting shelves stocks English-language best sellers as well as vintage postcards and used Italian books. It also regularly hosts chats with authors and has a particularly charming children's book section focused on all things Rome.
Specializing in timeless styles for the youngest Romans (ages 0–16) since 1932, Piccadilly is bursting with Liberty-print floral frocks, bloomers, scalloped collars, and dress shorts with suspenders. It's known for its special occasion–worthy clothes and impeccable tailoring.
One of the biggest flea markets in Italy welcomes shoppers in droves every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm. Treasure seekers and bargain hunters love scrounging around the hundreds of tents for new and vintage clothing and accessories, antique furniture, used books, and other odds 'n' ends. Bring your haggling skills, and cash (preferably small bills—it'll work in your favor when driving a bargain); many stallholders don't accept credit cards, and the nearest ATM is a hike.
Well-heeled moms shop for their budding fashionistas at Pure Sermoneta where you'll find garments straight off the catwalk. High-end luxury labels include Fendi, Diesel, Dior, Marni, Juicy Couture, Nolita, and Gucci, with the designer price tags to rival any adult-sized shopping spree.
This charming shop near the Piazza Campo de' Fiori sells original and whimsical handmade children's clothing. If you're looking for something truly unique, Rachele (the Swedish owner and designer) makes only two of everything for tykes up to age 12. Your children can make a statement with any of her cute pants, trapeze skirts, or rainbow-color tops.
Rome's handiest central shopping mall is this cluster of shops that stays open until 10 pm (even on Sunday), conveniently located right inside Rome's biggest train station, Stazione Termini. In a city not exactly known for its convenient shopping hours, this "shop before you hop" hub is a good spot for last-minute goodies. Stores include ever-popular chains like Mango, Moleskine, and Sephora; bookshops with good selections of English-language best sellers; a grocery store; and a well-stocked food court.
Romanesco is one of the more colorful Italian dialects and a lot gets lost in translation. This creative shop shills humorous mugs, tote bags, and magnets emblazoned with popular local phrases along with definitions not found in any dictionary.
