The eternal city of Rome is a shopping mecca. From world famous designers like Prada and Gucci on grand boulevards to independent boutiques in hip neighborhoods to busy weekend markets, there is something for every shopping taste and budget. Here is a brief guide to our favorite neighborhoods for shopping in Rome.
Tridente
This elegant area beginning at the Piazza del Popolo gets it’s name from the three main streets; via Ripetta, via Babuina and via del Corso. This is where you will find the big name designers like Valentino and Bulgari and smaller boutiques like Gente, a collection of elegant smaller designer clothing and shoes and Gallo Rome” for colorful striped socks, tights and scarves on via Frattina. Don’t miss the via grand Condotti that ends at the Spanish Steps and the many small streets that criss cross the main avenues.
Monti
Rome first neighborhood, located a stones throw form the colosseum and once home to gladiators and thieves, is now the hip place to be and it’s picturesque streets are filled with independent designers boutiques and vintage stores. We love Mikiway on via Boschetto 40 for charming jewelry and pretty ballerina flats.
via Nazionale
Starting at Piazza della Repubblica with the beautiful Fountain of the Naiads, this long straight street is filled with affordable name brand stores. This is a great street for the shoe lover as there are a number of large stores with vast selections. If you are looking for something to read on your vacation there are two large bookstore with English language books; IBS – via Nazionale 254/255 and Feltrinelli International on via V.E. Orlando 84/86. Don’t have a lot of time to shop? Head straight to Mitsukoshi on via Nazionale 259. This Japanese department store carries a perfectly edited collection of all of the big name Italian designers scarves, bags, sunglasses and some clothing. There is also a terrific tourist gift section.
More Don’t Miss Streets
via Governo Vecchio is named for the 15th century Palazzo Nardini, this street begins at the Piazza d’Orologio and continues to Piazza Pasquino. It is filled with funky vintage clothing shops and tiny jewelry shops.
In the market for antiques? Stroll the via dei Coronari, once an important pilgrimage route it is named for the shops that used to sell rosaries to the traveling faithful.
via Cola di Rienzo – Across the river near the Vatican, in the posh Prati neighborhood has name brand shops and elegant designer boutiques. Don’t miss COIN, a department store with a terrific homewares and cosmetic selection.
Markets
Porta Portese on a Sunday morning this is the place to be. From the piazza di Porta Portese to Piazza Ippolito Nievo, it’s an early start at 6:00am until 14:00. This is the biggest flea market in Rome. You will find clothes, antiques, CD’s, books you name it! It can get very crowded. Stay alert as there can be pick-pockets here.
via Sannio – A more sedate flea market experience is located just behind the Church of San Giovanni in Laterano open on Monday-Friday, 8 am –2 pm and on Saturday 8 am –5 pm. Come here for cashmere sweaters and Italian leather shoes are bargain prices. There are a few good vintage clothing stalls here as well.
Flaminia
Hop on the number 2 tram at Piazza del Popolo early on a Friday morning and head to the tony Flaminia neighborhood. This is place to find like new second hand designer goods from one of the many stalls set up on the Viale Tiziano.
Want to read more about shopping? Go here to read about outlet shopping in Italy and here for shopping in Florence.
