Summary
- General information
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Entertainment
- Useful numbers
- Useful italian phrases
Shopping
Shops mostly open from 09h00 to 20h00. Every shop is free to follow non stop opening hours, as is generally the case in the historic center. Shops are mostly closed on Monday mornings.
Food shops are open from 08h30 to 14h00 and from 17h00 to 20h00. They close on Thursday afternoons. On Sundays shops in the historic center are allowed to stay open all year round.
Large stores and shopping malls open non stop from 09h00 to 21h00. These are generally located in peripheral areas but can easily be reached. By underground line A you can reach the Commercial centres “Cinecittà 2” (Cinecittà Exit) and “La Romanina” (exit at Anagnina and transfer to bus #500 or #501), the Commercial Centre “I Granai” can be reached by underground line B (Eur Fermi Exit).
There are few big stores in the centre: La Rinascente (Via del Corso - Piazza Fiume) and Coin (Piazzale Appio, Viale Libia, Via Cola di Rienzo, Via Brescia) offer good quality articles and good prices, Upim and Oviesse have products of average quality at reasonable prices.
Rome Fashion
The area surrounding Piazza del Popolo is today the paradise of shopping, thanks to the high concentration of shops and boutiques.
Following are some of the major streets:
- Via del Corso: Runs from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia. It houses several casual clothes shops, which distinguish it from the “exclusive” style of the adjoining streets.
- Via Condotti: Runs from Spanish steps to Via del Corso. Famous designer boutiques (also Via Frattina and Via Borgognona.) A great place to walk in the early evening and to have an “intellectual” stop at the historic Caffe’ Greco.
Other streets worth mentioning are:
- Via Cola di Rienzo: Runs from Piazza del Risorgimento (Vatican area) up to Piazza del Popolo. Extensive number and variety of shops, shoe shops and boutiques.
- Via Nazionale: Runs from Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza Venezia. Shops in lesser price range
Markets and fares
Throughout the city it is easy to find open air and indoor fruit and vegetable markets, where buyers bargain and vendors squabble. The outdoor markets are fascinating and colourful. One well-known open air market in Rome is Campo dei Fiori, close to the French Embassy (Piazza Farnese) and in Via Andrea Doria (known as Trionfale).
Hereinafter you can find a short list of the best markets and fares:
- Via Sannio Market
- (Every day except Sunday) Hours: 08:00 to 14:00. It is a huge goods and clothing market, both new and used. It is located near Porta San Giovanni.
- Porta Portese Market
- (Every Sunday) Hours: 8:00 to 14:00. Piazza di Porta Portese, between Via Portuense and Viale Trastevere, it is the most famous flea market in Rome. It is very picturesque, bric a brac and many unusual articles. You can find practically everything, but don’t buy without bargaining. Be aware of pickpockets.
- Underground Parking Ludovisi
- (Only on Sunday) Hours: 10h00 - 19h30. Via F. Crispi, 96 Antique Fare
Walking in Rome
The centro storico or old city of Rome is relatively compact. Walking is by far the best way to see it. Do watch your step, however, as many of the sidewalks and roadways are uneven cobblestones, and extremely slippery when wet.
Sidewalks are narrow and sometimes nonexistent. Use the zebra crossings (white stripes) or signal crossings wherever possible and look before you step out as cars and motorinos (scooters) do run red lights and do turn while pedestrians are crossing.
VAT (Value-added Tax) Refund for Purchases in Italy: Instructions
(excerpted from booklet published by Ministero delle Finanze, Italia)
As a visitor, you can obtain a refund for VAT paid.
Conditions:
- Goods have to be purchased in shops showing in the front door “Global VAT Refund”;
- The total value of your purchase must be more than Euros 154,94 (VAT included);
- You must obtain an invoice giving a description of the goods, your personal information and your passport details (or equivalent);
- The invoice must be returned to the Italian retailer within four months from the end of the month of purchase.
- Goods purchased and relevant invoice must be submitted to the Customs Office at the Airport when you leave Italy or EU territory.
- The Customs Office will then stamp the invoice.
- The goods must always be taken to the Customs Office. If the traveller intends to ship goods as unaccompanied baggage, you must go to Customs before you check your baggage.
To obtain a refund of VAT, you must return the original of the invoice duly certified by the Customs Office to the retailer within four months. The refund will be made directly by the Italian retailer.
Alternatively, some TAX FREE companies allow you to obtain the VAT refund, immediately and in cash, at the moment the goods leave Italian (or community) territory. In this case the traveller is exempted from returning the invoice to the retailer. There is a fee for this service, which will be deducted from the amount of VAT refunded.
