With the artefacts of its long history cozying up to its modern architecture, and a cosmopolitan influence that places it at the forefront of modern European culture, Rome is nothing if not a city of contrasts. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its shopping opportunities, which combine the ultimate in sumptuous elegance with the achingly hip, trendy and bohemian. Rome is popular with bargain hunters, as it’s generally considered more affordable than cities like Milan, Florence and Venice, but don’t let that dissuade you from exploring the city’s famed shopping districts. Venture off the beaten track and you’ll discover Rome is the perfect place for those on the lookout for something special - be it haute couture, splendid antique furniture, fine art or the work of the Eternal City’s gifted artisans. It’s also an excellent place to find some of the most prized goods from around the country - like Murano glass from Venice. Where to shop Via Condotti
If all roads lead to Rome, Via Condotti is where they’re headed, and with good reason. Officially known as Via dei Condotti, the street is Rome’s swankiest and most beloved shopping street, beginning at the base of the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti gained its fame when the atelier of Bulgari opened there in 1905. Today, it is home to the flagship stores of the most elegant design houses, including Valentino, Hermès, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Versace, Bulgari, Chanel, Armani, Dolce e Gabbana, Prada, Ferragamo and Campanile. The popularity of Via Condotti means it is always thronged with visitors. Fortunately they’re not all there to shop, as this is one of the most exclusive streets in Italy, and most people are drawn in purely by the window-shopping and people-watching. Via Condotti is also home to Caffé Greco, perhaps the most famous café in Rome, established in 1760. Over the years it’s attracted towering figures in literature and the arts, such as Stendhal, Goethe, Byron, Liszt and Keats. Via Borgognona
This street begins near Piazza di Spagna, and is renowned for its ultra-chic designer boutiques tucked away behind impressive baroque and neoclassical facades. Via del Corso
Running from Piazza del Popolo down to Piazza Venezia and always abuzz with visitors, the Via del Corso is a favourite among native Romans and tourists alike. Though it’s home to the Ferrari flagship store and Swarovski Crystal flagship stores, the shops on Via del Corso are generally aimed at younger shoppers. The mile-long street offers a dizzying variety of choices, from modern fashion to finely wrought leather crafts and home furnishings ranging from modern to vintage to 50s retro in style. Via Vittorio Veneto
Immortalised in Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’, Via Veneto is lined with luxurious hotels and elegant cafés and boutiques selling shoes, gloves, and leather goods. Via Veneto has a more leisurely air, and offers ample opportunity for people-watching. Via Cola di Rienzi
No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican, which is when you will find yourself on Via Cola di Rienzi, a long, straight street running from the Piazza Risorgimento to the banks of the Tiber. Its popularity and width means the done thing is to walk first down one side and then up the other to sample the fashionable jewelry, shoes and clothes on offer here. Via Frattina
This is the slightly less famous sibling to Via Condotti. It too begins at Piazza di Spagna, and part of it, like Via del Corso, is closed to traffic and open to pedestrians, making it hugely popular with shoppers, as opulent boutiques are clustered thickly along these more pedestrian-friendly sections (although some say this leads to a slightly less chic image and lower prices than on Via Condotti). Via Nazionale
Via Nazionale embodies the Roman synthesis of old and new; while the street layout echoes 19th century grandeur, the traffic can reach 21st century proportions. Stores on this street specialise in hand-tooled leather goods and there are a few boutiques to indulge in as well. Via Nazionale begins at Piazza della Repubblica and runs down almost to the 19th-century monuments of Piazza Venezia. Via Sistina
Via Sistina springs forth at the top of the Spanish Steps and runs to Piazza Barberini. It is lined with small and exquisitely stylish shops, the wares of which are dictated by the impeccable tastes of their owners. Via Sistina is a quieter street, as it doesn’t attract as many tourists than the other major streets, so shoppers can gain some relief from the masses. |
