With Rome being one of the most ancient cities in the world, there is no doubt that every corner you turn here is steeped in history.
As you can imagine, picking up souvenirs from the Eternal City means collecting artifacts for a prized personal collection. Souvenirs from Rome are like time capsules- they preserve stories, places, culture and emotions that we would never want to forget.
If a trip to Rome is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, skip the generic postcards and T-shirts and buy unique, worthy gifts for yourself and others from this stone-clad open air museum.
What is famous to buy in Rome?
Rome is known for souvenirs that reflect its history, cuisine and craftsmanship. Here are some of the most famous things to shop for:
Italian leather goods
Rome is renowned for high-quality leather craftsmanship for items like leather bags, belts, wallets and shoes. Most high-fashion use of leather comes from Italian origins!
Here is where you can shop for the best leather products:
- Bottega Veneta is a world-famous luxury Italian handbag brand with stores in Rome
- Fendi produces leather products using Cuoio Romano, a leather type exclusively used by this brand
- La Sella is a famous family-owned store operating since 1964. It has two locations near Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain
- Pierotucci allows you to observe the leather-making process first-hand, for a more personalized shopping experience
There are a plethora of smaller yet distinguished leather product shops in and around the road Via del Corso and the Campo de’Fiori square.
How do you spot authentic Italian leather?
- Check for the aroma of the products. Real leather has a more prominent, earthy scent
- Check for stamps and labels that determine the origins of the products for eg. ‘Made in Italy’
- Check for a more imperfect, irregular grained texture. Synthetic leather is more glossy, with less visible grains
- Touch the leather to see if it is warm and soft as opposed to cold and plastic-like
Some of the best, unique Roman leather products to look out for are:
- Leather-bound journals
- Desk sets with pen holders and writing pads
- Beautiful briefcases anyone would be proud to carry!
Such items can often be personalized beautifully through the engraving or stamping of initials!
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Artisanal jewellery and cameos
Jewellery, especially cameos- are a distinctive souvenir from Rome, and will forever earn a special place in the jewellery box for generations to come.
What are cameos?
Cameos are hand-carved images -usually side profile female portraits- that are raised on precious stones, shells or pieces of smoothed coral.
Here are some locations where you can buy awe-inspiring jewellery from:
- Serra Roma Jewellery on the road Via Margutta for real, ancient Roman coins and stones worked into the pieces
- Bottega Franchi on the road Via di Ripetta which is a 1962 family-run business that specializes in goldsmith work. They also allow you to sneak a peek into the jewellery making process
- Cameo Italiano is one of the biggest sellers of cameo jewellery, and has locations on Via Crispi and Via del Babuino
Vatican memorabilia
Many visitors of Rome love to take home memorabilia from the Vatican, such as rosaries, blessed medals and books on the Church’s history. Here is where you can find some sacred, Vatican-related gems:
- St. Peter’s Gallery is steps away from the church and sells high-quality crosses, rosaries and paintings of the Vatican
- The Vatican Museums gift shop is the perfect place to browse through a plethora of books on the museums, chapels and basilica, and even on the specific artists and architects who worked on them
- Galleria Savelli on Piazza Pio XII sells more luxury items such as 18 karat gold crosses and other religious items made of precious materials
To make your souvenirs an irreplaceably special meaning, get them blessed!
- In St. Peter’s Basilica there are priests available in the smaller chapels who can bless crosses and rosaries for you
- Galleria Savelli sells items that have already been blessed before purchase
Handcrafted ceramics and pottery
Rome has always been known for the harmonious art of pottery and ceramic making… the Latins and the Etruscans have had a heavy influence in the tradition of pottery being carried on to modern times!
Some of the most quintessential Roman gifts to take back home are tiles, vases, planters, dinnerware or ceramic lamps, crafted by a local artisan.
One of the most well known brands is Ceramiche Italiano, which was established in 1890.
You will be able to find all kinds of items in stores and ateliers sprinkled around the city. The biggest clusters happen to be in the Trastevere district as well as around Campo de’Fiori.
Roman patterns and motifs painted on these ceramics are sure to bring an Italian touch to any home!
Ancient Roman and gladiator souvenirs
Many visitors tend to be drawn to ancient Rome inspired items such as mini Colosseum busts, gladiator helmets and other artifacts reminiscent of Rome’s glorious past.
The great news is that there is no shortage of such souvenirs to be found in Rome! You won’t fail to find them in shops near the Colosseum, especially on the road via dei Fori Imperiali.
However, we urge you to distinguish between cheap materials used for these products, such as plastic used for Colosseum statues. There are much better sculptures available made of stone or marble that will add a more sophisticated touch to your souvenir collection.
Carvings and artwork
This city is brimming with creatives, which means that some wonderful art can be procured here!
Visitors tend to love buying artwork that depicts scenes from Roman city life, including portrayals of various churches and monuments.
You can visit Art Gallery Roma, located near Piazza Navona, which is known for selling a variety of oil paintings and art prints by local Italian artists.
There will be boutiques and galleries in every nook and cranny of Centro Storico for you to explore on foot!
Keep an eye out for street artists perched upon bridges of the Tiber River such as Ponte Sisto, who often create intimate, serene watercolour paintings.
Check out Rome’s antique markets such as Porta Portese for sculptures and busts.
Near the Borghese Gallery you will be able to find art shops that deal with high-quality reproductions of classical sculptures.
Religious icons and artisan crosses
Religious souvenirs such as icons and artisan crosses are very popular amongst visitors for their spiritual connection to the city. There are religious shops selling such items near all the major churches of Rome such as the aforementioned St. Peter’s Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore and the Pantheon, to name a few.
What is the most important thing in Rome?
Culinary products remain to be the most popular souvenirs to take home from Rome… they also make the best gifts! Explore local markets like Campo de’ Fiori and specialized food stores to find products like:
- Olive oil: Italy is world-renowned for its olive oil production
- Balsamic Vinegar: There is more of a range in this category than you would think! This pairs perfectly with olive oil
- Artisanal pastas: The different shapes and colours will be a pleasure to whip up back home
- Local wines: Pick up a bottle or two, and have fun exploring the wines of various Italian regions
- Truffles: Earthy, fragrant truffles are true delicacies, and you can find some of the best varieties being sold in Rome!
- Italian coffee: Could this list ever be considered complete without a classic Italian roast?
Our special mention is pistachio cream, which comes in jars just like Nutella and other spreads and makes for a luxurious sweet treat. If you eat a pistachio cornetto in Rome (which you should), you will understand the reverence for its delightful cream!
Insider tips for buying souvenirs in Rome
Shopping for souvenirs in Rome can be a wonderfully entertaining experience.
Try your hand at bargaining for products! The best way to do so in Rome is:
- Do some research on various price points. How much is a similar product being sold for in another shop?
- Buying in bulk always increases your chances of getting a discount.
- Using basic Italian phrases whilst dealing with store owners can go a long way in the name of courtesy!
Be sure to try and buy the best-quality souvenirs available in Rome. Usually discrepancies are easy to spot; real Roman products use the best raw materials!
Before traveling back home, check the custom laws of your country.
Explore Rome’s culture through these souvenirs, and further experience the city through dedicated tours run by Walks Inside Rome. We offer exclusive, unforgettable tours (and more) for those looking to dive into Rome’s art, history and traditions.
