If you’re looking for something truly special – unique, high-quality clothes and accessories – the Eternal City is the place to be.
However, shoppers are so spoiled for choice that it can be hard to know where to begin.
In this guide to luxury shopping in Rome, we’ll help you plan the perfect itinerary, from the Fendi flagship store to hidden boutiques.
Rome: shopping paradise
While Milan may be considered the fashion capital, Rome is the shopping capital of Italy.
The city center is filled with artisans’ shops specializing in leather goods – beautiful bags, jackets, and accessories that represent the best of Italian craftsmanship. Jewelry is another specialty. What’s more, many shops offer custom-made or tailored items. Shopping in Rome allows you to combine ‘Made in Italy’ quality with a personal touch.
Of course, Rome is also home to some of the biggest names in Italian fashion – Fendi’s flagship store is located in the center, as well as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Armani, Gucci, Versace, and more. Then there’s La Rinascente – a huge, high-end department store selling just about everything.
Whether you’re a serious shopper or just curious about what the city has to offer, it’s definitely worth setting aside at least a few hours to check out the stores in central Rome. After all, this is the city of La Dolce Vita – it’s synonymous with style.
There’s also a long history of upscale stores, family-run businesses, and artisans’ workshops in Rome. Discovering these unique shops is an essential part of the Roman experience.
One of the best neighborhoods in Rome for luxury shopping is the area roughly surrounding the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Not right by the monuments themselves, but in nearby streets such as Via dei Coronari and Via della Scrofa. This area is the place to hunt for small but smart boutiques, unique jewelry, and antiques. If you have time to spare, we recommend just going for a wander – half the fun is discovering places for yourself.
But if you’d like a more targeted visit, here are just a few shops to check out:
Essenzialmente Laura (Via dei Coronari 57) Unique fragrances by Laura Bosetti Tonatto, who created perfumes for Queen Elizabeth II.
Brandizzi (Via dei Coronari 12) Watch store specializing in the best vintage pieces, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
Sirni (Via delle Stelletta 33) Gorgeous artisanal leather bags and accessories.
Velasca (Via di Campo Marzio 9 and 71) Beautiful shoes. In their words: “Italian style, made to last.”
Co.Ro. Jewels (Via della Scrofa 52) Elegant jewelry inspired by Roman architecture, such as aqueduct rings and Pantheon earrings.
Moving east, you’ll soon reach Via del Corso – the main shopping street in the city center. Its length and location make it useful for orientation, but you won’t find many special shops on Via del Corso itself. So, cross over and keep heading east along Via del Tritone.
On your left, you’ll find La Rinascente – the crown jewel in Rome’s luxury shopping scene. This chain of department stores first opened in Milan in the 19th century. For more than a century, the most central branch of La Rinascente in Rome was on Via del Corso, but it’s now located in a beautifully remodeled building on Via del Tritone. Over 8 floors, La Rinascente offers everything a fashion fan could possibly want. Missoni, Valentino, Max Mara, and Miu Miu are just a few examples of the Italian brands on offer. You’ll find the big international brands here too, from Louis Vuitton to Stella McCartney. While you’re here, make you sure visit the rooftop restaurant, with a terrace offering breathtaking views over the Roman rooftops.
And don’t forget to check out the basement – there’s an ancient Roman aqueduct dating back to the 1st century BCE, which still functions today. Only in Rome can you combine clothes shopping with archaeological sightseeing…
High-fashion shopping streets near the Spanish Steps
Head north of La Rinascente and you’ll soon reach Piazza di Spagna, and the iconic Spanish Steps. This neighborhood is where you’ll find some of the most exclusive shops in Rome – high fashion and big-name designers.
For a start, there’s the Fendi flagship store (Largo Carlo Goldoni 420), occupying a magnificent 17th century palazzo. Check out the beautiful bags (and the stylish shop interior). When you come out of Fendi, you’re facing Via dei Condotti – the best street in Rome for luxury shopping. Stores include Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bulgari, and Prada. Via dei Condotti leads right into Piazza di Spagna, and a stunning view of the Spanish Steps. There are more designer shops here too – most notably, the vast Valentino flagship store. Continue north from Piazza di Spagna along Via del Babuino, where you’ll discover an impressive array of luxury shops, including Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and Miu Miu.
While you’re in the area, make sure you check out Via Margutta, which runs parallel to Via del Babuino. It’s one of the loveliest streets in Rome, home to art galleries, stylish restaurants, and shops selling jewelry, furniture, and antiques. In Rome, it always pays off to explore the side streets – especially in the historic center. For instance, tucked away on a small street is Cruciani & Bella (Via Bocca di Leone 32), a “gentleman’s boutique” that sells elegant ties, braces, and scarves.
So, take your time in this neighborhood. You never know what you might stumble across…
While some neighborhoods have a higher concentration of luxury shops than others, you can find hidden gems scattered throughout the center of Rome.
Prati (near the Vatican) is home to plenty of high-end shops and unique boutiques. To give just one example, Antica Manifattura Cappelli (Via degli Scipioni 46) sells beautiful hats designed by Patrizia Fabri. Some of the backstreets surrounding Campo de’ Fiori are also worth exploring. Via di Monserrato in particular has some lovely artisan shops, such as the colorful boutique L’Archivio di Monserrato (Via di Monserrato 150). Further down the street is Il Paralume, which sells gorgeous, truly unique lampshades.
There aren’t many luxury shops in Trastevere, but every now and then you’ll come across something special. In the picturesque piazza of Santa Cecilia is Altro Sud – an exclusive womenswear store with a great selection of Italian brands.
There are also some cute boutiques dotted around the Monti neighborhood (near the Colosseum). For stylish womenswear check out LOL (Via Urbana 89 and 92, and Piazza Madonna dei Monti 1). Nearby Moll Flanders (Via Urbana 132) sells luxury second-hand clothes for men and women.
If your time is limited – let’s say a couple of hours at the most – we recommend heading straight to La Rinascente.
Alternatively, if you want to make an afternoon of it (or even a day), here’s our suggested itinerary:
Make Fendi (Largo Carlo Goldoni) your starting point.
Explore Via dei Condotti, Piazza di Spagna, Via del Babuino, and some of the surrounding streets.
Visit La Rinascente (and perhaps stop for some refreshment on the rooftop)
Then, if you have the time and energy, head west for a relaxed wander through the streets surrounding Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Campo de’ Fiori.
Whatever your tastes (and your budget), a luxury shopping tour will be a highlight of your Roman holiday. There’s no better way to experience the stylish side of the city and to appreciate the long history of fashion and craftsmanship in Italy.
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