Next to admiring the art, history and architecture of the Italian capital, there’s one activity people of all ages are usually raring to get stuck in to the minute they get settled in their family hotel in Rome – shop!
Here’s a quick guide to where different kinds of great shopping are to be had in the Eternal City.
Snacks and Other Food
If you have younger children in tow, you’ll probably want to make sure you have snacks stocked in the fridge of your family hotel in Rome – so it helps to get some food shopping done early. Head out to Campo de’ Fiori in the morning to sample some of the great balsamic vinegars and extra virgin olive oil. You’ll also find delicious bread, plus plenty of other street foods that will be a hit with the children. If it’s pizza and beer to go for the older crowd, you’ll find a venue on almost any corner.
If you want a more substantial meal, head to Trionfale Market, just outside the Vatican. Here, you’ll find great deli meats, wonderful fruit and vegetables, cheeses and breads for that midnight snack in your family hotel. In Rome, food markets abound: among the other great places to go are the covered market in Plaza Testaccio, Mercato Piazza Vittorio and, of course, Campo de’ Fiori.
Fashion
If you want to seek out the latest in fashion, make sure to mark Via Condotti on your smartphone’s map apps. Designer giants like Fendi, Valentino, Bulgari Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Gucci, and many others, can be found here, although you’ll also want to explore the high-end boutiques along Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via Sistina, and Via Bocca de Leone to see what the true fashionistas are wearing.
Also make sure you mark Via del Corso on your map before heading out from your family hotel. In Rome, this is where the locals go for fashion. This mile-long street (and the streets nearby) are where you’ll find the flagship store of Ferrari and brands like Diesel and Benetton, as well as other trendy Italian brands. Teenagers will be in their element.
Flea Markets
If you’re a bargain hunter, make sure you wear your most comfortable shoes and leave your high heels behind when you get out and visit the city’s flea markets. In the lovely Trastevere neighbourhood, there’s a great outdoor flea market at the south end of the area that’s open on Sundays from 7am to 1 pm. Porta Portese is one of the largest flea markets in Europe, and a Roman icon in itself. Here, you’ll find everything, including antique housewares, secondhand clothing, music, original art, jewellery, posters, furniture, and more. Another flea market of note is the one at Via Sannio, near the Basilica of San Giovanni. If you’re specifically looking for antiques, however, you can head out to the antiques district near the Tiber – start from Castel Sant’ Angelo and head south toward the bridge.
