Don't feel bad if you find that Rome's shop windows are competing with its monuments for your attention. Just make sure there is plenty of time in your itinerary for shopping. You'll find all of the big designer names in Rome and even if your budget doesn't allow for an Armani suit, a Prada bag or a pair of Gucci loafers, you can still have fun trying them on. If you confine your expeditions to the main shopping districts, you'll find a concentration of clothing and accessories shops that, apart from the designer outlets, sell fairly tacky stuff at inflated prices. By exploring the side streets and seeking the more out-of-the-way shopping areas you will uncover a side of Rome often hidden even from its residents. Here we have tried to cover the main places to shop and things to buy, as well as the more off beat side to shopping in Rome.
There are several shopping districts in and near Rome's historical centre, many based around particular streets. The area between Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso, including Via Condotti, Via Frattina, Via delle Vite and Via Borgognona, harbours most of the main designer shops for clothing, shoes, leather goods and other accessories, with a fair sprinkling of more affordable shops. Via Nazionale, Via del Corso and Via dei Giubbonari are good streets for mid-range clothing stores, but quality can be lacking. Second-hand clothes can be found along Via del Governo Vecchio, a winding street that runs from a small square just off Piazza Navona towards the river. If you're looking for antiques or an unusual gift, try Via dei Coronari or Via del Babuino.
Across the river, near the Vatican, is an extensive shopping area. The most interesting street here is Via Cola di Rienzo, where you'll find a good selection of clothing and shoe shops, as well as some excellent fine food outlets. Trastevere, just across the river from the historical centre, offers lots of interesting little boutiques and knick-knack shops tucked away down narrow medieval streets and lanes. Rome has been slower than some of the northern Italian cities to adopt the trend towards department stores, malls and supermarkets. There is only one department store actually in the historical centre (Rinascente, on the corner of Via del Tritone and Via del Corso) but it's hardly a Harrods or Macy's. All of the large shopping malls are quite a distance from the city centre.
If you can time your visit to coincide with the sales (saldi), you'll pick up some marvellous bargains. Winter sales run from early January to mid-February and the summer sales run from July to early September. Shops usually open 9.30am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm (in winter) or 4pm to 8pm (summer), Monday to Saturday, although a small boutique might not open until 10am and afternoon hours might be shortened. There is a trend amongst larger shops and department stores towards continuous opening hours from 9.30am to 7.30pm. Many shops are closed on Monday morning. Most shops accept credit cards and many accept traveller's cheques. It's also important to remember that you are required by Italian law to ask for a ricevuta (receipt) for your purchases. Rome is without doubt one of the main centres for shopping in Italy and the numerous districts provide a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking for high fashion, antiques, furniture or home accessories, rest assured that Rome will provide you with a huge choice. You can even admire the wonderful monuments, statues and fountains as you walk downtown for shopping.
Shops are generally open :
• Monday - 15:30 to 19:30 (some shops may be open in the morning)
• Tuesday to Saturday - 09:30 / 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 19:00 / 19:30 (some shops do not close for the afternoon break) Shopping in Rome is part of the fun, no matter what your budget. If you're bent on buying, you're sure to find something that suits your fancy and your pocketbook. If you have something specific in mind, like Missoni or Benetton knitwear, Bruno Magli shoes, or Laura Biagiotti perfume, make a note of prices before you leave home, so you'll know whether you're getting a bargain by buying it in Italy. The best buys here are still leather goods of all kinds -- from gloves to bags to jackets -- and silk goods and knitwear. Boutique fashions may be slightly less expensive in Rome than in the United States.
Some worthy old prints and minor antiques can be found in the city's interesting little shops, and full-fledged collectors can rely on the prestigious reputations of some of Italy's top antiques dealers. Genuine Italian handicrafts aren't so easy to find in these days of Asian imports, but some shops stock pottery and handwoven textiles made in Italy. Designer perfumes, from Versace to Armani to Moschino, may be a little cheaper here, but don't buy them in the designer boutiques; instead, look for them in the large profumerie (perfume and cosmetics stores), where you may be able to get a discount simply by asking for the prezzo scontato (discount price).
Rome has few department stores. The classiest are the two Rinascente stores and the three main Coin stores. They have welcome desks, multilingual guides, and tax-free refund desks. They are open all day and may be open on Sunday, too. Italian sizes are not uniform, so always try on clothing before buying, and measure gift items. Children's sizes are all over the place, and though they usually go by age, they are calibrated to Italian children. Average size-per-age standards vary from one country to another. Check washing instruction labels on all garments (often in English as well as Italian), as many are not washable at all, and those that are washable may not be preshrunk. Glove sizes are universal. In any case, remember that Italian stores generally will not refund your purchases and cannot exchange goods because of limited stock.
