10 best places to shop in Rome, ranked by local shopping expert
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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!
Photo courtesy of 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Photo courtesy of Maria Pasquale
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.
Photo courtesy of Castel Romano Designer Outlet
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.
Photo courtesy of Giada Mariani
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.