Where To Shop in Rome Beyond Via del Corso & Via dei Condotti
The city’s true hidden retail gems lie beyond these two well-known shopping streets. Here are my go-to shops.
Everyone flocks to Via del Corso and Via dei Condotti for shopping in Rome—and as they should! They are two of the city’s most famous shopping streets, taking in views of Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Venezia. I have walked down those streets more times than I can count, and have memorized the order of high-end luxury boutiques on Via dei Condotti and how many steps it takes to locate the Zara from the Pantheon right on Via del Corso.
If you really want that new Gucci bag, no one should stop you (those VAT returns are amazing). BUT if you’re also looking for a different type of experience, the real gems lie just a few streets away. In the heart of the city center, these lesser-known shopping streets and boutiques offer an even better retail experience for a place to cool off if you’re visiting Rome this summer.
And no, I am not just talking about Schostals and Chez Dedè (although also good choices).
Here are some of my favorite shops for clothing, souvenirs, and even—an added bonus—something for the kids, throughout the centro storico (plus a few stragglers in Trastevere). Happy shopping!
Clothing + Boutiques
Le Tre Sarte: For the ultimate tailor-made pieces, I absolutely adore Le Tre Sarte, who use upcycled fabrics and are 100% zero-waste, creating incredible pieces from velvet vests to silk jumpsuits and intricate kaftans.
Calzature Campo Marzio: This historic shoe store is steps away from Rome’s iconic bar Ciampini. I always go here for handmade Friulane that hail from Friuli Venezia Giulia. See above for their perfect color pairings.
Aspesi: Not enough people know about Aspesi—an Italian clothing brand that is minimalist, sophisticated, and timeless. The ready-to-wear brand was founded in 1969 in a world of Parisian haute couture houses, focusing on high-quality materials and sartorial techniques.
Laura Urbinati: Probably one of my all-time favorite Italian brands. Laura Urbinati’s Made in Italy creations are the essence of Italian women’s style and sophistication. Come for the swimwear and colorfully patterned tunics and pants.
Officine Red: This incredibly sleek concept store carrys a curated selection of Italian and international designers. Go to discover and spend an hour or so trying on one-of-a-kind pieces.
Retropose Handbags: Retropose is a Rome-based bag brand that blends bold architectural shapes with lush materials and vibrant in color leathers. Their bags are all handmade and designed in the city.
Fondaco Roma Boutique: Another beautifully curated concept store that makes you feel like you’re simultanelsy stepping inside an art gallery or cocktail bar. It’s hard to explain so definitely check it out yourself.
CoRo Jewels: CoRo creates dreamy, handcrafted jewelry right in Rome. Their pieces are inspired by Roman and Italian architecture (like the Colosseum and Pantheon), light, and Roman heritage.
L.G.R. World: The BEST Made in Italy sunglasses (think beyond Celine and Bottega). You’ll thank me later. Designed in Italy, each pair is vintage inspired that fit any modern look day-to-day.
Nous Atelier: I first met the two Swedish-Roman sister founders of Nous Atelier at the Mercato Monti years ago (that has since closed—another goodie taken out by the lockdown days). Their jewels are handcrafted by the two in Rome, creating pieces that are simply essential.
Independent Book Shops (Because who doesn’t love a good book on vacay?)
Libreria Trastevere: Bordering Trastevere’s Piazza di Santa Maria, this shop is home to many local authors and independent publishers. It is such a good shop to stumble upon pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else—and that truly feel like “Italian stories” you can take home.
Booktique: Nearly on everyone’s shopping guide, and for good reason. I always take friends and family here if they’re looking for gifts for someone. It is a colorful, vibrant shop where you can peruse through photography and lifestyle volumes that will look great on your coffee table.
Edicola Erno: Although not necessarily a bookshop, this beloved open-air kiosk is the place to be for events, brand pop-ups, and where you can purchase amazing independent fashion and design magazines from around the world.
Otherwise Bookshop: Otherwise is an independent English-language bookstore just around the bend from Piazza Navona. They also sell books in Italian, and I love flipping through the pages of their books about anything Italy-related.
Almost Corner Bookshop: Another English, quaint bookshop in the heart of Trastevere.
For Kids!
Al Sogno Toy Store: Situated in the center of Piazza Navona is this old-school toy shop that we went into for a keepsake for my (at the time) 6-month-old baby. Since 1945, they’ve been selling adorable animal puppets, board games, music boxes, plushes, and more.
Ottimomassimo: This adorable bookshop is down the colorful alleyway of Trastevere. I love bringing books home as souvenirs, and what cooler way to help your kids remember the trip than a story in Italian?
Natinudi: Just around the bend from Ottimomassimo is Natinudi, which means “born naked” in Italian. They sell amazingly colorful and vibrant baby & little kids’ clothing and accessories.
Pinocchio Toys Rome: A magical shop just behind the Spanish Steps, Pinocchio Toys greets you like a fairytale. It sells vintage toys from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, as well as new toys, puzzles, mystical figures, and much more.
Pezzi Roma: Before I had a baby, I wrote a guide about shopping in Rome and this shop was included. Now, I want to go back and buy every graphic t-shirt! Everything is designed in Rome and inspired by the city’s everyday life.
More shopping? Why not head to Italy’s biggest outdoor flea market held every Sunday. I have an exclusive guide from a market addict (myself).
For more homeware souvenirs, here are more favorite shops for just that!
We’re staying in casa tre sarte when we head there on september. Thank you for putting this list together—so many gems!
1000% co-sign on Otherwise Bookshop, Laura Urbinati, and Le Tre Sarte!! Also, this came at a perfect time as I'm currently planning a trip back to Rome in September. 👀 I'm definitely adding these stores to my list!