Shopping in Rome: best spots, must-buys and tips

Last Updated on March 25, 2025

I recently received an email from a girl who thanked me very much for the blog and told me that it helped her a lot. Of course, she would like to know where to go shopping in Rome. Rome is one of the top European shopping destinations. There are endless shops and the best Italian brands. How can a woman come to Rome and not buy anything?

THE BEST SHOPPING STREETS IN ROME

Let me start by clarifying that I am not a fashion blogger, and my relationship with Italian fashion is not, um… very close! I may have lived in Rome for a while, but my style certainly hasn’t evolved, and I don’t dress like an Italian stylist!

For anyone with a budget, or who has done their deed and saved up, I’d say take the metro to Piazza Di Spagna.

After seeing the beautiful scalinata, you can take

• via dei Condotti: where you will find Bulgari, Armani, Hermès, Cartier, Ferragamo, Cartier
• via Borgognona: with Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, Dolce & Gabbana
• via Frattina: with Tiffany, Versace, etc

Since you are already in the heart of Rome, you can also visit the:

• Galleria Alberto Sordi: a beautiful gallery from 1900 that reopened in 2024 with shops like Calvin Klein and restaurants. It’s worth a visit, even just for a coffee or some photos.

If you’re looking for vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, or small boutiques, head towards…

• Monti: Located right behind the Colosseum, the beautiful Monti neighborhood attracts those looking for something unique

If your budget is lower, or you are looking for cheap clothes in Rome, go to Via Del Corso.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY CHEAP CLOTHES IN ROME?

If you are wondering where you can find cheap clothes in Rome, you should start from Via del Corso. This main street connects Piazza di Venezia with Piazza Del Popolo and is full of shops. I would say this is the main shopping street of Rome, like Hermou in Athens.

In addition to the classic shops like Zara, H&M, Calzedonia, etc., you will also find other chain stores and many small shops that sell Italian clothes.

 Pay attention to the prices: it’s a very touristy street, so don’t, for example, go into a shop with an “authentic Italian shoes” sign and blindly buy a very expensive shoe just because the shop says so! Always check the quality and if it says “made in China” on the bottom!

When exploring Via del Corso, make sure to check out the charming side streets – these quieter paths often hide gems where you can find unique pieces at great prices, or even great gifts to take home from Rome.

When you’re on Via del Corso, take a look down the side streets. You’ll find better prices and shops with amazing clothes or even gift ideas to bring back from Rome.

Another tip for affordable clothes in Rome is to watch out for sales. At the end of summer and winter, many stores offer leftover stock at really low prices. If you’re looking for the official dates, note that Rome’s winter sales start on January 5, 2025, and last until February 15.

You might be interested: Colosseum: tickets, opening hours and free admission 2025

ITALIAN COSMETICS?

For cosmetics, I recommend KIKO: don’t come to Rome without stepping into a KIKO store. Also:

– Deborah Milano: excellent quality cosmetics at affordable prices.
– Pupa Milano: for those who love colors – also of excellent quality at reasonable prices.

If you’re looking for a wider range of brands, visit Sephora. You’ll find it in several locations around the city, including one on Via del Corso. They stock everything from high-end to more affordable brands, both international and Italian.

And don’t forget about Acqua e Sapone, a chain store where you can find all kinds of cosmetics and personal care items at incredibly low prices.

SHOES IN ROME

You can certainly find shops with good shoes on many streets and of course, it all depends on the wallet capacity and the taste of each one of us. When I want to buy shoes, I go to two places:

The Vatican City: Coming out of the metro, you will see many shoe shops in the nearby streets, Ottaviano and Cola di Rienzo. Most are of good Italian quality and reasonably priced.

Campo di Fiori: From the beautiful Campo di Fiori square, you can go down this road, where there are about 10-20 shops selling shoes. I think the prices are a bit more expensive than in the Vatican area but they often have offers.

Other areas with beautiful shops in Rome:

San Giovanni (metro stop San Giovanni): various chains and the department store “Coin”

Another department store, classic for Italians, is La Rinascente in Piazza Fiume. It has some of the best Italian brands, many branded cosmetics, and perfumes.

The newest outlet is Maximo which opened its doors in 2020 and is quite popular as it includes the first Primark shop in Rome. 

Apart from these, of course, there are many shops with second-hand clothes, vintage, etc.,and a market with second-hand clothes called Porta Portese, which takes place every Sunday. Finally, there are some shopping centers too.

You might be interested: Vatican, tickets, opening hours and free entry 2025

SHOPPING CENTRES IN ROME

Where are the big shopping centers in Rome?

How many times have I met female tourists asking me? The answer is: FAR!

Italians have their malls a long way from the center of Rome, and if you want to take my advice, don’t go. Taking the buses is a real hassle, you’ll lose half the day and suffer. If you have rented a car it might be a little better, but again, I recommend staying in the center and enjoying the city.

I will give you the same advice for the big discount outlets, where they sell designer clothes at low prices. These are even further, outside of Rome, and you’ll have to spend the whole day going back and forth. I visited one and was really not satisfied: I couldn’t find anything to buy and I’m not difficult when it comes to clothes. The low-priced models were old, definitely 2-3 seasons ago, and last season’s were not particularly cheap. But since all of this depends on taste, here are some addresses

Centro commerciale Porta di Roma (my favorite, it also has a cinema!)

Centro Commerciale di Roma Est

Mcarthurglen Outlet: Castel romano

Valmontone Outlet (about an hour drive from Rome)

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