Rome Shopping

High fashion shopping in Rome is concentrated to two streets running parallel to each other from the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti is home to Prada, Valentino, Gucci, Armani, and Max-Mara. Over on Via Borgognona, one can find the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Laura Biagiotti, and Gai Mattiolo. Closer to Piazza Navona is Via dei Giubbonari, and its street fashion stores McQueen and Liquid. Nearby is also Via del Governo Vecchio, with its elegant vintage fashion boutiques.

When it comes to food, Rome has several attractions. Volpetti on Via Marmorata 47 in Testaccio is as close to heaven as you can get. This bustling, high paced place offers many deli options. Latini pasta from Osimo, salsiccia and spicy sandwich meats. Its speciality, however, is its cheeses, including the formaggio di fossa, matured underground. Two other delis to revel in are ancient Franchi and Castroni on Via Cola di Rienzo. Castroni offers a slightly more international selection. Campo de´ Fiori is the site of a daily food market that embodies the terms picturesque and colourful. Come early when the shadows are long and the morning is at its freshest. Another nice market, with more of a food hall atmosphere, is Mercato di Testaccio. Upmarket antiques can be found on Via dei Coronari, jewellers on Via dell'Orso and Via dei Pianellari. Via San Francesco di Sales 85 is the address for Cereria Di Giorgio, which sells all kinds of candles. The Vatican is their largest customer. In the long shopping street Via del Corso, which runs from Piazza Venezia down to Piazza del Popolo, there are shops to suit most pockets.

Chains such as Stefanel, Etam, The Group and Benetton are sandwiched between specialist boutiques. Also many shoe shops, sports shops and music stores such as Il Messaggero Musicale. Cola di Rienzo in the Prati district of the city is also lined with various reasonably priced shops. Rome does not have the department store culture of many other large cities. The Romans prefer small, intimate and familiar boutiques. In the centre there are two department store chains:

Coin
Women and men's clothes, shoes, bags, costume jewellery, perfumes, high quality kitchen and bathroom gadgets.
Address: Piazzale Appio 7

Rinascente
Slightly more exclusive, mainly clothes, shoes and perfume.
Address: Piazza Colonna, Piazza Fiume
Phone: +39 06-6797691 and +39 06-8841231

Galleria Alberto Sordi
Beautiful 19th century arcade with enormous cut glass chandeliers and a vaulted glass roof. Recently named after the very popular, now late, actor Alberto Sordi. Various shops, mainly fashion clothes, for example, Zara, but also the book shop Feltrinelli which has a wide range of guides, books in various languages, CDs, etc. Also coffee bars.
Address: Piazza Colonna 31-35