Rome shopping

Rome city guide - Rome activities - Rome shopping

The Romans are similar to the Parisians when they go shopping for clothes. It is better to be rather a bit too fashionable than taking the risk of not being fashionable at all. Therefore one finds predominantly classical-noble clothes, leather goods, shoes and bags in the clothes shop of Rome.

The fine designer shops, where the salesmen are particularly snobby and the price tags are missing in a discrete way, is particularly in the many branched roads, which go off the Spanish Steps. You will find the most well-known brands in the Via Condotti: Gucci, Nr. 8, Max Mara, No. 16-20, Valentino, No. 13, Louis Vuitton, Nr. 15, Salvatore Ferragamo, No. 64 and 73 and Giorgio Armani, No. 77.

Have a look at the sparkling expensive watches in the display of Bulgari, No. 10, or jewelry discrete from Damiani, No. 84. Somewhat more playful, although just as expensive clothes can be bought nearby Dolce e Gabbana at Piazza di Spagna 82/3. Fendi has a set of fashion shops next to one another in the Via Borgognona, No. 36-39, with a large selection of furs, shoes, bags and a collection tailor made clothes. Further well-known noble brands, which one finds here, are among others Gianni Versace, No. 25, Moschino, NR 32A, Calvin Klein, No. 42 and Laura Biagiotti, No. 44. There is a wide variety of lingere shops, particularly the exclusive YL Bodywear in Via del Nazareno 1c. In this area also the only recently opened department store TAD, Via Babuino 155A, which designs specialized fashion in the Ethno Look, where you can find everything from furniture and flowers to clothes and CDs; a hairdresser and a Cafe are also in the place.

Shopping for good value at reasonable prices is possible in the shopping streets in and around Via del Corso, Via del Tritone, Via Nazionale and Via Cola di Rienzo. Tourists often make good deals in July with the sales.

Shopping for antiques is particularly interesting in and around Via Margutta, Via del Babuino, Via Giulia and Via de Coronari. Markets take place in May and October. Nippes and Retro clothes are sold on the flea markets which are constantly winning in popularity by tourists and Romans. The Roman flea markets are in Via Sannio (Mo-SA, 07.30-13.00 o'clock) and in Porta Portese (so 07.30-13.00 o'clock).

Rome is full of small supermarkets and shopping centers such as the Commerciale Cinecitt Due, Viale Palmiro Togliatti 2, Tuscolana, with its 100 shops. Romans and returning tourists however prefer to do their shopping on the fruit and vegetable markets you will find in almost every Piazza. (Mo-SA, 7.30-13.00 o'clock) or go shopping in delicate food shanks. Popular luxury food to take home are Italian vinegar, truffle and olive oil among other things. With Castroni, Via Cola di Rienzo 196, tourists shop for the culinary characteristics from the different regions of Italy. The in 1821 created shop Trimani at Via Goito 20 offers an outstanding selection of Italian wines.

Small shops are frequently closed at lunch time (13.00-16.30 o'clock), large shops are open over lunch (09.00-19.30 o'clock). The opening times can be quite confusing, since many grocer's shops are closed on Thursday afternoon in the winter and on Mondays, only in the afternoon. In the summer the opening times are longer (to 20,00 o'clock), but shops are closed on Saturday afternoons and in August for at least two weeks.

The value added tax is approximately 16.7%. Foreign tourists, who do not come from an European Union country, can get it refunded, if they spend at least 155 Euro in a shop on one day. If this applies, one should ask the sales personnel for a receipt, on which the bought articles are described, and these are stamped with the tariff when leaving the European Union (no longer than 90 days after purchase date). The receipt must be sent back then to the shop such that the amount can be refunded.

The beverage prices can vary - a glass wine in the Vineria, Campo dei Fiori, depending upon quality can costs € 1.60 - € 5.20, and in a night club a Cocktail can cost € 11,-. Tourists should be aware that going out in Rome can be expensive, as beverages are often twice the price in bars as in liquor stores.

Specially cheap hotels this week!