Rome Destination Guide

  Places to See in Rome

  Events & Nightlife in Rome

  Eating out in Rome

  Shopping in Rome

  5 Perfect Days in Rome
 
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Shopping
Guide to Shopping in Rome

Rome is not the shopping centre that Milan is, but it more than holds its own as a shopping destination compared to most European cities. As you'd expect fashion is big business, this is Italy after all, but all manner of upmarket gear besides clothes is sold in the city. Take note of Italy's public holidays when stores may be shut.

Where to Shop

Best Areas

In the area around Piazza di Spagna (including via Condotti, via Babuino, via Borgognona and via Frattina) the high budget shopper will find almost every famous designer they can think of. Fashion heavyweights with stores there include: Versace, Valentino, Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo and Gianfranco Ferre. Top shoe designers Sergio Rossi, Fratelli Rossetti, and Pollini are also located nearby.

Via del Corso, which runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, aims at high street fashion. Halfway down is Rinascente, one of Rome's few clothing department stores. Meanwhile affordable designer clothing is available in shops like Strada, Gruppo Clark, Trussardi and Max Mara. For a multi-boutique shopping experience under one roof, head for Roma Downtown.

Via Nazionale, running from Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza Venezia, is a more economic shopping area with a wide range of shops. It is particularly good for handbags and leather goods, and you're far more likely to pick up a bargain around here than you are around the Piazza di Spagna. Cola di Rienzo, which stems from Piazza del Risorgimento near the Vatican to the river, is where the locals tend to do their shopping. It has a wide range of stores and is generally less crowded than the more famous areas of the city. As well as a huge range of clothes shops, Rome's most famous delicatessen - Castroni - is located here.

Markets

Among the wide range of markets in Rome, Piazza San Cosimato (daily except Sunday) is notable for its range of meats, fish, cheeses and vegetables. It's an enjoyable place to look around - and if you are overcome by a desire to buy Italian food delicacies you're in the right place.

Porta Portese is a huge market that takes place in Trastevere on Sunday mornings. The market covers every street between Ponte Sublicio and Ponte Testaccio from the river up to viale Trastevere. Here you can buy anything from secondhand clothes through to antique crystal, and a browse through the stalls is a great way to spend an hour or two.

What to Buy

There is one purchase that everyone wants to bring back from any trip to Italy and that's clothing. Rome is undoubtedly one of the most fashionable cities on Earth and its shopping streets are full of world famous designer boutiques.

If you want the latest designer gear expect to pay - a lot. Your solace is that when you get home whatever you buy is likely to be unique - at least for a couple of months. The area around Piazza di Spagna is where Italian designers including Versace, Armani and Valentino have their outlets and the area is good for a browse whether you can afford to buy or not.

Look out everywhere for leather shoes, handbags and other goods. Leather is good value throughout Italy and Rome is no exception. The world's best shoemakers all have boutiques in the city although, again, designer gear won't offer much of a discount.

To complete your outfit, or just window shop some of the most expensive items you'll see on any high street, head for the via Condotti and the area around Piazza San Silvestro where Rome's best jewellery manufacturers have their stores. Bulgari and Martinelli are notable names but there is a plethora of interesting jewellers both local and international located in the same area. Several make use of ancient artefacts such as Roman coins to create distinctive jewellery.

Italian foodstuffs are always popular. Cured Italian meats will keep and are a tasty souvenir, while hard Italian cheeses such as parmesan and pecorino will be fine for taking home. Wines are another good buy with plenty of great quality Italian produce available cheaply in the city's vintners. Be aware that fresh pasta will not last very long unless it is vacuum packed, which kind of defeats the point of buying it in Rome.

Finally, if you are in the vicinity of St Peter's Cathedral, head for Galleria San Pietro to find the perfect souvenir. The shop is offering our readers an inspiring 10% discount on its extensive range of cameos, Venetian glass and Rome souvenirs.

Opening Hours

You should be aware that Rome shops generally close for an extended lunch hour of two/three hours. Shopping hours are generally 09h30-13h00 and 15h30-19h30 (mid-Oct to May) and 09h30-13h00 and 16h00-20h00 (May to mid-Oct).

There are exceptions with many shops in the city centre staying open throughout the day. Designer shops invariably close for lunch in the middle of the day throughout the year.

Tax Refund

Value added tax (IVA in Italy) of 20% is added on to the price of all consumer goods and services. Having visited Italy, non-EU tourists can apply for a tax refund on goods bought there. Most countries offering a tax refund specify a minimum amount that must be spent in a particular shop to claim a refund. In Italy, the minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is EUR154.94, spent in one store.

To reclaim tax you need to request an itemised invoice, indicating the item, price and amount of tax paid. On departure from Italy, take the items and invoice to the customs office to be stamped. Once home, send the stamped invoice to the store where you purchased the items, which will then send the refund to you.

Alternatively, you can purchase goods from shops participating in Tax-free Shopping programme (look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window). Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping cheque to the amount of tax payable. As you leave the country, customs officials will stamp your cheques. You can then claim your refund from the Tax-free Shopping desk or have it sent to you.

Note that by law in Italy when making purchases in shops, or paying restaurant and hotel bills the client must take the receipt with them.

 

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