When in Rome, the first thing tourists usually do is sightseeing; there are many attractions in this city, including museums, churches, monuments, squares, and enchanting glimpses.
Many tourists take advantage of a holiday in the Eternal City to visit Vatican, the smallest state in the world, located in an area full of art treasures, craftsmen shops, luxury boutiques, and top-notch delis.
This is a guide dedicated to shopping lovers and is focused on Vatican surroundings and Prati neighborhood. Have a look at this selection of nine local gems worth a visit before planning your trip to Rome:
Abitart Concept Store
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Abitart was an atelier, a hotbed of new trends turned into a fashion concept store by Vanessa Foglia, who creates clothes and accessories for women.
She designs clothes as an artist paints a picture and even Abitart’s furniture expresses her creativity. The boutique is at Via Cola di Rienzo 188, one of the main shopping streets in Rome.
Savelli At Saint Peter’s Square
A sacred article is a truly fitting gift if you want to come back home with a precious souvenir made in the Vatican. I recommend to visit an historic shop, where expert craftsmen realize handmade jewelry, pendant crosses, bracelets, rosaries and many more at a place like Savelli Religious Vatican Gift Shop, which is a landmark for religious articles, because their shop is active since 1898 and you can also request the blessing service.
In other words, it is possible to buy a religious article and ask for the blessing by Pope Francis; this option is free of charge and allows you to get a unique item that shows the thousand-year old history of Christianity.
There are four Savelli shops in Rome: Galleria Savelli in St. Peter’s Square, Savelli Arte e Tradizione at via Paolo VI, Savelli Gift at via della Conciliazione, and Art Studio Cafè at via dei Gracchi.
Castroni At Via Cola Di Rienzo
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Castroni is the most popular grocery in Rome: this brand celebrate its 85th Anniversary in 2017 and is a must for foodies. The closest store to Vatican is at Via Cola di Rienzo 196 and is considered one of the best delis in the Eternal City.
Here you can find high quality Italian goods, specialty coffees, candy, DOCG wines, regional specialties, and foreign delicacies.
Have a tasty break at the in-store bar. You will be amazed by this gourmet haven in the heart of Rome!
Coin Excelsior In Prati
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If you are looking for top fashion brands and you like go shopping an elegant venue, Coin Excelsior could be the right answer for you. Coin Excelsior is a luxury department store, located at Via Cola of Rienzo 173, housed in an art nouveau style palace, completely redesigned by the architect Vincenzo De Cotiis.
Find your favorite Italian and international fashion brands and enjoy an exclusive shopping experience in the Prati neighborhood, an upscale residential area of Rome.
Benedetto XVI International Bookshop
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Piazza Pio XII is a square situated between St. Peter’s Square and via della Conciliazione. It is suggested to visit the Benedetto XVI International Bookshop, specializing in books about the Vatican and Rome’s history, a store that boasts a very modern interior design, a successful blend between tradition and innovation. The address is Piazza Pio XII 5, call the phone number (+39) 06 69885906/84834 to know the opening hours.
Sartoria Carbone
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Allow yourself the privilege of a tailored suit. In Rome, you can go to talented tailors and choose jackets, pants, shirts, ties, accessories, and suits hand-sewn and bespoke to fulfill your demands.
Sartoria Carbone, at Via Leone IV 65/67 (very close to Vatican Museums), is the ideal tailor’s shop if you like “Made in Italy” garments and you want to dress like an authentic Italian gentleman.
Rechicle
Is vintage style your passion? At Rechicle you will find any kind of item, from bags to designer clothes, from jewelry to shoes, ranging from top brands to classic designers.
This boutique, located at Piazza dell’Unità 32, offers personal shopping services: ask to the staff to help you choosing a new outfit!
Il Sellaio
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There is an important leather craft tradition in Italy, for this reason a shopping experience in Rome must include a leather store, such as Il Sellaio, opened by Ferruccio Serafini in 1948.
Movie stars like Liz Taylor and Marlon Brando were customers of Serafini; today the shop is run by his daughter Francesca and specializes in leather shoes, bags, and small leather goods.
It is possible to choose your own leather or customized shoes and purses, a great opportunity to enhance your outfit. Il Sellaio is at Via Caio Mario 14.
Antica Cappelleria
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Finding the perfect hat for your own face shape is easy if you go to Antica Cappelleria, the boutique where Patrizia Fabri realizes a wide range of crafted hats. This shop, located at Via degli Scipioni 46, is definitely worth a visit, because is also the oldest hat workshop in Rome, carrying on the tradition started in 1936 by the Cirri family.
In addition to the customized hats, you can also find the most popular brands, such as Stetson, Lock, Autruche, Katarina M., Panizza, Muhlbauer, Panama, and Valeur.
Enjoy your holiday in Rome and the Vatican surroundings, these spots are all at a walking distance from St. Peter’s Square!
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These are super helpful tips for when I visit Rome! I really appreciate how these fashions are so different from American style. Very nice pictures, beautiful shops!
This post is great and perfect for me! Whenever I travel I always go straight to the local shops before any tourist attractions. Thanks for sharing your experience!
As a fan of vintage fashion I absolutely love what Rechicle has going on! Didn’t realize how much great fashion there was near the vatican.
I love the Italian fashion style. Definitely visiting those stores when I’ll go to Rome!