There’s nothing quite like Rome at Christmas time.

The beautiful streets lit up with christmas lights, store windows are decked out with holiday cheer, and the spirit of the holidays can be felt around every corner. If you’ll be visiting Rome during the holidays, have a look at our guide to Christmas shopping in Rome. We’ve indicated the best and most charming streets for (window) shopping, featuring not only international brands but local artisans as well. We’re sure you’ll find something for everyone on your holiday list!

Via del Corso

As one of the main arteries of Rome’s urban fabric, Via del Corso is one of the largest and most popular shopping streets in Rome. It connects Piazza Venezia with Piazza del Popolo, running about 1.5 km banked on both sides with shops. You’ll find brands like H&M, Puma, Nike, MAC makeup, and Swatch. There are plenty of other shopping streets leading off of it, but it’s hard to beat the wide variety of shops available.

There tends to be a lot of traffic on Via del Corso since it’s not strictly pedestrian, so it’s not the best option if you’ll be shopping with young children.

Via Cola di Rienzo

A posh, tree-lined avenue in the Prati neighborhood of Rome. Full of international brand names like Tiffany and Michael Kors, fine Italian leather and furs, and of course, plenty of jewelry, Via Cola di Rienzo offers the quintessential, high-end European shopping experience.

Via dei Condotti

The so-called “5th Avenue” of Rome, Via dei Condotti runs right into Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps making it the home to some of the most coveted names in the world. Bulgari, Prada, Gucci, Cartier, and Harry Winston are all located on Via dei Condotti. The street never fails to light up at night with fanciful, holiday decorations, with each year centered around a new theme.

Via Margutta

Tucked away near the Spanish Steps, running parallel to Via Babuino (which connects Piazza di Spagna with Piazza del Popolo), take a stroll down Via Margutta. Known to locals as “The Artist’s Street”, the narrow street is flanked by ivy-covered buildings that house local art galleries, artisan’s shops, and jewelry stores. If you’re looking for something particular for someone special, a stop on Via Margutta is a must.

Apart from being a niche shopping destination, Via Margutta is well known for the internationally famous artists who frequented its bistrots, including Pablo Picasso, Giorgio de Chirico, and Federico Fellini (who actually lived on the street). Via Margutta was also where Gregory Peck’s fictional character, Joe Bradley, lived, at Via Margutta 51 – which is still visible today.

Viale Europa

The EUR neighborhood in the southern edge of Rome was fashioned to bring the ancient city up to par with other European capital cities. Wide streets, taller buildings, and more systematic layout makes the area notable for its fascist roots. Viale Europa is one of the central arteries of the neighborhood, and the shopping hub. A tree-lined avenue banked with shops on either side with an air of sophistication still lingering from the 1960s and 70s. Easily reachable by the metro B, just hop off at EUR Palasport, take a stroll around the artificial lake and make your way up to Viale Europa for a pleasant christmas shopping experience.

Via Urbana

In the heart of the Monti neighborhood that lays in the long shadow cast by the Colosseum, Via Urbana (and the surrounding streets) are home to a resurgence in young, local artisans and makers. Here you’ll find unique gifts for the home or one-of-a-kind clothes made by up-and-coming designers. The Mercato Monti is a heaven for these local innovative designers, bringing their latest fashions and creations to market.

Galleria Alberto Sordi

A bit less impressive to its Parisan or Milanese counterparts, the Galleria Alberto Sordi is an elegant, enclosed gallery with shops on two floors. Zara, La Rinascente, an Italian department store, and Feltrinelli, a large Italian book store chain, are the galleria’s largest tenants, but other designers like Boggi, Furla, and Massimo Dutti have a home here too. See the galleria’s website for more information.

Piazza Navona Christmas Market

Christmas Markets are classically european, and Rome certainly doesn’t disappoint. Referred to as Mercatino di Natale in Italian, markets often boast local street food, carnival games, warm drinks, and handicrafts made by the local community. The largest and most well-known in Rome is located at Piazza Navona. While over the years it’s become a bit more of a “touristy” attraction, nostalgia keeps filling the square with Romans. It’s the perfect place for outdoor fun for the whole family.

Personal Shopper

If you’re looking for as much an experience as you are in shopping, perhaps you’re interested in hiring a personal shopper. Countess Concierge by Barbara Lessona offers full-service personal shopping tours and advice, catered to clients looking for a truly Roman shopping experience. As a descendent from a noble Roman family Barbara is a real countess who now enjoys sharing her expert, local know-how with curious travelers in Rome. Visit her website to contact her and for more information.

Euroma2 & Castel Romano Outlets

For the shoppers on a mission (and on a budget) there are two less characteristic christmas shopping options:

1) Located in the EUR neighborhood in the south of Rome, Euroma2 is a massive 3-story shopping mall with over 200 indoor shops and restaurants. International brands (like Zara, Michael Kors, and Apple) and Italian brands alike open out onto elegant floor to ceiling marble walkways. The easiest way to reach Euroma2 is by taxi (about €30 – €40 from the center of Rome) or the metro B, EUR Palasport stop with and 15 minutes walking. Visit the Euroma2 website for more information.

2) The Castel Romano Outlets are your typical outlet stores, offering last season’s fashions at lower prices. Reachable only by car or taxi, the outlets offer a modern Italian shopping experience for international brands, like Burberry, Coach, Desigual, and United Colors of Benetton. Visit the outlet’s website for more information.

Christmas Shopping for a Vacation Rental too?

ROMAC has apartments located all over the center of Rome, which makes bringing back your Christmas shopping goodies easier! Use our neighborhood and amenity filters to find the perfect vacation apartment in Rome for you and your family and friends!

Have something on your shopping list that’s missing in ours? Let us know in the comments and we’ll help you find it!