Shopping In Rome

Although Milan is Italy's fashion capital, there is lots of great shopping to be done in Rome.  Whether you have a clear idea of what you want to buy or you just want to browse, there are tons of options.

Many will usually start looking in shops near the major landmarks like the Spanish Steps or St. Peters, as suggested in many a Rome tourist guide.  Certainly these areas are teaming with shops.  If you are into big brand names like Prada, Hermes and Dior and if you are not on a tight budget, Via Condotti, the street leading up to Piazza di Spagna is a good place to start.  These shops are always staffed with extremely helpful and multilingual individuals.  But if your budget is a little more modest, you may have better luck along Via del Corso, where you'll find Italian classics like Benetton.  There is also a small shopping mall in Rome called Galleria Alberto Sordi on Via del Corso, in front of Piazza Colonna, which is home to Zara and a multi-level Feltrinelli book shop.  Near the Vatican, you can find Via Cola di Rienzo which is lined with a variety of shops, including the department store called Coin.  There are also various street merchants that sell clothes and shoes at low prices at stands along this long street.

If you have a chance to get outside the city for some bargain hunting, there are a few outlet malls in Rome where you can often find designer goods at drastically reduced prices.

A useful tip is to avoid buying fake handbags and sunglasses from street vendors.  These items are especially easy to find around the Termini Station toward the Piazza Vittorio area (also known as Rome's Chinatown). It is a crime to buy or sell imitation items, and undercover police have fined some shoppers up to 3,000 euro for making such purchases.  So don't risk turning your vacation into a trip to the police station!

Rome also has a few famous markets that sell both new and used items. Porta Portese is one of Rome's most famous markets and can be found in any major Rome tourist guide. The outdoor flea market is near Trastevere and is open every Sunday.  There is no admission fee, and there are lots of great deals on all sorts of items.  Not to mention it's a great place to buy cheap souvenirs.  Another great market is near the church of San Giovanni along Via Sannio.  The market is open weekday mornings and you can find new garments at great low prices.

Unfortunately, for American travelers, the euro is much stronger than the dollar, so finding a good buy is also relative at the moment.

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