Shopping Tips

Rome is a great place for shopping with designer outlets and department stores all over the city.
A cosmpolitan and thriving capital city for over 2000 years Rome provides a multiethnic mix that
is unmatched by any city in the world!
Rome is iliterally bursting at the seams with a diverse array of shopping areas
that we will mention here below. The following five areas are the most renowned shopping areas in Rome...
some are distinctly ethnic and that also shouldn't be missed, such as Piazza Vittorio and Trastevere.

Fashion

The classic window-shopping area is all around Via Condotti.
Independent designers are crowded on to Via del Governo Vecchio.

Antiques

Some of the best areas to look for antiques are Via dei Coronari, Via del Babuino and Via Giulia.

Books in English

* Anglo American Bookstore Via della Vite, 102 offers a good selection of books in English.
* Feltrinelli International - Via V. E. Orlando, 84 sells nice books in English and in other languages, including magazines and guidebooks.
* In The Lion Bookshop - Via dei Greci, 33 you can read English language books while sipping tea or coffee.

Design and Household

TAD (Via del Babuino, 155) is a concept store where you can shop while having a drink or a bite to eat. They sell not only household accessories but also eccentric designer clothes, shoes, perfumes, flowers, CDs, etc.
In the Ghetto area there is a good choice of nice things for the house at Limentani (via del Portico d'Ottavia, 47).
Another good address is Spazio Sette, a two level shop, in via dei Barbieri, 7.

Wine Shops

If you are looking for good wine and suggestions, your best choice is Trimani (Via Goito, 20).
Purchases can be shipped anywhere.
For a traditional old style enoteca, check out the wines and spirits, all sub-divided by region, at Buccone (Via di Ripetta,19), not far from Piazza del Popolo.

Gastronomy

Castroni (Via Cola di Rienzo, 196 - Via Quattro Fontane) is the most famous chain of "drogherie - torrefazioni" in Rome. Here you will find many regional gourmet specialities and imported international foods.
In the popular Testaccio area is Volpetti (Via Marmorata 47), filled with many kinds of delicious cheese, hams and salamis.
On the web you can try the Italian food experience on Esperia [www.esperya.com]

Bread

Panella (Largo Leopardi, 4) has the best choice of any kind of bread; try the Pompei.
Find the best traditional Roman specialities, visit Tricarico (Vicolo del Cinque, 35) in Trastevere.

Chocolaterie

The well known chocolate store, Godiva, has a shop just in Piazza di Spagna, 4.
Try the hand made chocolate specialities at Moriondo e Gariglio (Via Pie' di Marmo, 21) not far from the Pantheon.
Another address for chocaholics is Puyricard (Via delle Carrozze, 26)

Shopping in downtown

* Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps - Via dei Condotti. This street is one of the richest streets in Italy and one of the best streets for shopping in Rome. The via Dei Condotti sports designer stores such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and other well-heeled notables. This is also the street where the shop owners used to charge you just for walking in the door! Thankfully these days all of the shops sport a "ingresso gratuito" sign which means you can go in and have a poke around without any obligation to buy.
* Via del Corso - bustling pedestrianised street that runs from Piazza del Popolo down to Piazza Venezia. The via del corso is very popular with Romans and Tourists alike and is home to famous shops like the Ferrari flag ship store, Swarowski Crystal and of course the Messaggerie Musicali di ROMA which is a record and dvd shop open really late and 7 days a week! If it is retail therapy in Rome you are after then the via del Corso is a must! Hotels near the Grand Hotel Plaza - Via del Corso , Hotel Stendhal , Hotel Delle Nazioni , Hotel Tiziano , Hotel Raphael Rome - Piazz
* Trastevere - located just over the river Tiber the Trastevere district of Rome takes it's name from "across the Tiber" - a bohemian spirit grips Trastevere and you will take great pleasure in getting lost in it's many winding streets. See the outdoor food market in Piazza San Cosimato.... this is a great chance to watch local trasteverians buying and bargaining with local Roman vendors. The market starts about 7:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m.
* Viale Marconi and Porta Portese - viale Marconi is very good for shopping and is particulary popular with young trendy Romans. A bit away from the city centre it can be reached by talking a bus or tram from the city centre, it is about 15 minutes away from the Colosseum. Go to the Gruppo Clark department store as it is absolutely massive and the sales are unbelievable - Gruppo Clark - the Sales in Rome begin on the 13th of January and last until the end of February. The Summer sales start the first week of July and last until the end of August. Porta Portese is the famous Roman flea market which takes place every Sunday from 08:00am until about 2pm - Happy Holidays , Hotel Hiberia , Hotel Sole al Pantheon
* Piazza Vittorio - food market, mesmerizing array of fresh foods, fruits, fish, meat run by people from all over the world. Hotels near Piazza Vittorio and Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore are Hotel Mecenate Palace , Hotel Montreal , Antico Palazzo Rospigliosi
* Piazza Navona - Via del Governo Vecchio - Piazza Navona is a great place for art lovers, the surrounding streets contain lots of art galleries and antique shops, old fashioned barbers and shop keepers provide a personal touch which is often lacking in big capital cities. There is a great film and cinema shop in via del Governo vecchio which is definitely worth a browse particularly if you are a fan of Italian Cinema. Hotels in Piazza Navona include - Hotel Raphael , Navona Suites , Hotel Tiziano , Hotel Traiano and Hotel Teatro Pace