Souvenirs (General), Rome

Souvenir shops are set up outside all around the big sites.

What to buy: Most of the stuff they sell at souvenir shops is pretty junkie, but if you like something, get it. Remember, though, many of these souvenir vendors have pricetags that are RIDICULOUS. I bought a small replication of the Pieta for my grandmother. The price tag said 85 Euro...EIGHTY FIVE EURO! I got it for 15 and still think I should have gone down to 10. Act interested but poor. Keep saying the price just doesn't fit your budget. When they say they won't go any lower, start to walk away. They'll go lower. Remember, when it comes to this little souvenir places: NEVER PAY WHAT SEEMS LIKE A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY!!!

If you want a great souvenir of Rome in print, book, or antique form, you HAVE to check out this market! Throughout the city there are hundreds of "antique" stores that are selling old prints of the various monuments and piazzas of Rome for 100's of Euros. I found some of the same prints here for under 20.

What to buy: I love the old time stamped "prints" of the sights and piazzas on the faded, textured matting. Mine of Piazza del Popolo, my favorite piazza in Rome, is pictured here. The other great bargain are the prints of cappucino and coffee ad posters from France, similar to the famous Vermouth one.

What to pay: Small prints are 5 Euro, Medium 15, Large 25
Magazine covers and books are varied

Located next to the Information Office (on the left hand side as you face St Peter's Basilica), the Vatican Post Office is a very popular place for both tourists and local Roman's as the Vatican postal system is reputedly fast. Inside, you can buy a large variety of Vatican stamps, coins (although the Euro collections sell out very quickly), postal covers and albums etc.

Remember: you cannot post mail with Italian stamps in the Vatican post office nor can you post mail with Vatican stamps in the Italian mail system.

De Sanctis is in the Piazza Navona, it's been open since 1890. It's a great place to get a nice handpainted ceramic made in Italy. They have handpainted tiles of saints, and also cups & saucers, plates, etc. It's all beautiful and though not all exactly cheap it IS handpainted.

What to pay: The small tiles were 30 euro, a teapot made in Florence was on sale for 25 euro.

CASA DEL ROSARIO

Rome is full of souvenir sellers - shops galore and the constant stream of illegal pests selling anything.

It's refreshing to walk into a shop well laid out with friendly staff who hand the customer a metal tray to place their purchases onto. Row upon row of religious memorabilia in 2 rooms - and that's not all. They have a great range of general souvenirs of Rome at prices that seem to be at least 25% better than else where.

We found this small shops and we were very well attenden for the old lady. Is a souvenir shop but she sell more jewellery than souvernirs like mugs, cards,,,,. We bought 2 clasp and hanger as present and for ourselves, they are made of Murano. They are so beautiful. Sorry for the pic is very little but i could not get higher from my computer. The lady is very nice and she has very beautiful things to sell.

Encontramos esta pequena tienda en los alrededores de la plaza de Espana y nos gusto mucho. La atiende una senora mayor que es encantadora. Vende souvenirs, pero el principal motivo por el que entramos es porque vende colgantes, broches y piezas hechas de cristal de murano, muy famoso en Italia sobre todo en Venecia. Compramos varios broches y colgantes para regalos y para nosotras.

Just a very large flea market that happens in Trastevere on Sundays. Gives you a nice atmosphere and some good bargaining ground for getting gifts for people. Enjoy and bargain. Oh, you will definitely get a smaller price if you keep walking away from a stall, especially the purse selections. Remember they just want to sell (while still getting some profit!). ENJOY!

What to buy: Buy anything your little heart desires! there are shirts, shoes, designer bag knock-offs, antiques, jewelery, furniture, and food. you are bound to find something here.

What to pay: from 1E to 30E depending on what you are buying

I used Laura Morelli's book, Made in Italy, on my recent trip to Rome. There are invaluable shopping tips and listings of many great places to find traditional handcrafted goods all over Italy.

I recommend it!

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Piazza Navona is a great spot to stop in and buy some art pieces. There is a large variety of watercolor paintings and oil paintings. The prices are usually displayed, but you can negotiate if you buy more than 1 painting from the same artist.
We got some really nice watercolor paintings and also an oil painting from here. Make sure you negotiate the price especially if you buy more than 1 piece from the same artist.

What to buy: watercolor and oil paintings

What to pay: 8 Euros per watercolor painting (if you buy more than 2 from the same artist); 75 Euros per oil painting (original asking price 100 Euros)

What to buy: There are a lot of nice jewellery shops in Rome. You can really find something nice there.

What to pay: it depends, you can buy nice jewellery with the Glass from Murano , the small pendant -10 Euro and also the expensive jewellery from the jellow gold or white gold with the diamonds or other precious stones.