Shopping on Via Condotti

Even if you're visiting Rome for the food and culture, be sure to spend at least a few hours shopping on Via Condotti.

Via Condotti dates back to ancient Roman times, when it was used to cross the Tiber. It begins at the Spanish Steps, so it is a great place to spend a few hours after you've checked out this other popular tourist destination.

The Shopping

As you walk down the Via Condotti, you'll see storefronts displaying the labels and names of some of the most famous Italian designers, as well as other international designers. Prada, synonymous with Italian elegance, has two stores on Via Condotti; one is exclusively for women, and the other is for men.

Other famous Italian designers represented on Via Condotti include Gucci, Cavalli, and Valentino. Armani, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ferragamo also have storefronts on the street. Of course, there are plenty of other designer stores as well. Hermes and Louis Vuitton represent the French contingent on the street, and you'll find iconic scarves and handbags in these stores. Shopping on Via Condotti will yield the latest in fashion for men and women. Many men come here for made to measure suits and custom dress shirts, and women shop for pieces seen on the fashion runways of New York and Milan.

The Via Condotti is a fantastic place to go, whether you're planning on window shopping or purchasing a whole new wardrobe. If you have the means, a small purchase from the Roman Prada store makes a great gift. Shopping on Via Condotti can yield some very high end souvenirs.

The Architecture

If you haven't come to Via Condotti planning to spend a small fortune, there are other diversions on the street that will interest you. The architecture, for example is exquisite. You'll see imposing, Baroque design surrounded by glamorous fashion. Many of the buildings and palazzos along the street date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Look for the Palazzo di Malta, located at Via Condotti 68. It is home to the headquarters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which is a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church and the oldest surviving order of chivalry in the world.

Caffe Greco

Another great attraction if you aren't interested in shopping on Via Condotti is Caffe Greco, one of the most famous cafes in Rome. It is the city's oldest café, dating back to 1760, and it has been frequented by many famous artists, writers, and thinkers, including Lord Byron and Hans Christian Anderson. It remains a popular hang out for Italy's intelligentsia, so sit down for a cup of coffee and rub elbows with politicians and writers. Shopping on Via Condotti extends beyond clothing and accessories.

Traveler Tips

Because shopping on Via Condotti is such a popular activity, the street can become crowded with tourists and locals alike. This makes it a prime spot for Rome pickpockets to work, so remain vigilant. Try to only bring the cash and cards with you that you will need, and leave the rest at your hotel room.

Wear a money belt around your waist, and do not keep your wallet in your pants pockets. Pickpockets operating here are often young women dressed in the latest fashions, who will try to catch your eye for a moment while an unknown accomplice walks by and snatches your wallet. While shopping on Via Condotti, keep and eye out for thieves, and you will have a great time.

Book a hotel in Rome near this famous shopping area.