15 Unique Shops in Rome From Souvenirs to Second Hand Books

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There are quite a few hidden, very unique shops in Rome I’ve been meaning to share with you lately; places to buy Rome-inspired souvenirs, second hand clothes, and much more – that no one tells you about.

If you’re looking for the best things to buy in Rome, I’ll include some items I think you shouldn’t miss out on in this guide.

And from rare and used books to vintage clothes and even Pantone-inspired prints, you’ll find it all here!

15 Unique Shops in Rome From Souvenirs to Second Hand Books

As I currently live in Torpignattara, one of Rome’s best street art neighborhoods, what I mostly do when walking around the area is checking out stencil art and graffiti.

However, there are a few very unique shops in Rome located in this area, and this will be the first of this guide.

If you’re looking to purchase really unusual souvenirs from Rome, I’ve gathered the shops I have visited, and still visit to this day when I want a new mug, second hand books, or Rome-inspired sweatshirts.

Let’s get to it, and you’ll hopefully find new shopping spots you didn’t think of!

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Rometone, Torpignattara

The Rometone shop in Torpignattara is the first unusual shop I felt like mentioning – a very secret shop nestled at the end of a street in the East End of Rome.

Established in 2020, Rometone offers all kinds of Rome-inspired prints, T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and more.

The prices are very reasonable, too, and since the products are immaculately beautiful, if you’re looking for things to do in Torpignattara, I’d say a visit to the Rometone shop is a must on your bucket list.

Read: The Most Magical Parks & Gardens in Rome

Most Secret Shops in Rome: Pucci Tiziano Gioeilli, Via del Boschetto

Let’s start by saying that Via del Boschetto is one of the prettiest streets in Rome, along with Via Panisperna at the end of the street.

Then, let’s continue by saying that if you’re looking for secret shops in Rome, you’d do well to pop by Pucci Tiziano Gioielli on Via del Boschetto for custom-made jewelry.

The Pucci Tiziano Gioeilli shop and workshop are a feast for the eyes, and I have actually gotten two silver rings custom-made there, that I never take off as they are so beautiful.

The prices are incredibly reasonable considering you’re in one of Rome’s best jewelry shops, and in the workshop of an artist on top of that!

Read: The Most Enchanting Gardens Near Rome

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Bibliotèq Tea Shop near Campo de’ Fiori

Bibliotèq Tea Shop is one of my favorite secret shops in Rome, and easily accessible on foot from Campo de’ Fiori.

If you are a tea lover, don’t overlook a visit to the very tiny Bibliotèq Tea Shop, and from green to black tea and artistic infusion recipes, you’ll find everything you need to cozy up at night.

Despite the high quality of the tea (which make for really trendy gifts to bring back from Rome), the prices are very reasonable – 3.50 euros for 50g, and 7 euros for 100g bags on average.

You will also find at the Bibliotèq Tea Shop various kinds of biscuits and sweet treats, and my favorite – the 750 mL mugs, one of which I purchased during my last visit to the shop.

Read: The Best Free and Unique Things to Do in Rome

Best Shops in Rome: Antica Libreria Cascianelli

There are many things to see in Rome for book lovers; beautiful libraries, bookshops, and even a Fountain of Books!

Thrift books lovers, pay a visit to the Antica Libreria Cascianelli, one of the best hidden gems in Rome, and a shop that almost doubles as a museum.

In the back of the shop, a second room is filled with desks, sculptures, paintings and all kinds of memorabilia that will strongly remind you of Wunderkammer places.

A small wonder not that far from Via del Corso, one of the most famous shopping spots in Rome, nor from Campo de’ Fiori’s market!

Read: The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Rome is More, Testaccio

Testaccio is one of the best shopping areas in Rome, along with offering plenty of green spaces and street art pieces – that’s definitely a neighborhood to visit when traveling to Rome for the first time!

And while you’re at it, pop by Rome is More, a small, secret shop tucked a few minutes away from the Testaccio Market.

There, you will find plenty of Rome-inspired souvenirs, from tote bags printed with suppli or a nasone to a Roman to English dictionary and beautiful prints.

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones or something small to treat yourself, you’ll find it at the Rome is More shop.

My favorite items?

The tote bags, and Carbonara and Cacio e pepe candles.

If you get hungry, pay a visit to the Testaccino coffee shop for small sandwiches and pastries, which also makes for one of Rome’s best study cafes before lunchtime.

Read: The Most Secret Places in Rome

Best Shops in Rome: Cameo Italiano

On Via dei Crispi, you will find another one of the coolest jewelry shops in Rome, Cameo Italiano.

The cameo is one of my favorite symbols in jewelry, and while it is one you will usually find in vintage jewelry shops, Cameo Italiano has achieved the unachievable by blending history and modernity in lines and shapes.

As such, if you’re looking for unique shops in Rome selling jewelry pieces you won’t see anywhere else, Cameo Italiano is it.

Since these are high-quality materials and gemstones used in the Cameo Italiano pieces, it requires a certain type of budget, but it is still, in my opinion, quite affordable considering the premium quality of the jewelry.

Read: The Best Places to Study in Rome

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Elvis Lives, Trastevere

The shops in Trastevere are some of my favorites; they have that edgy and sunny vibe that defines Rome so well – and one of them is Elvis Lives.

Located on Via di San Francesco a Ripa, one of the most famous streets in Trastevere, Elvis Lives sells all kinds of unique Rome-inspired souvenirs.

I’ve only discovered the Elvis Lives shop in Trastevere a few weeks ago, and immediately fell in love.

So much so that I got myself an edgy keychain and an Amor/Roma print, clean and beautiful even in a minimalist home.

Then, if you’d like to buy makeup in Rome but never know where to go, pay a visit to the OVS shop on Viale di Trastevere – you’ll be able to find all kinds of Essence, Catrice, Wet n Wild and Makeup Revolution makeup there.

But before that, for some proper Roman breakfast, visit the Caffè Trastevere coffee shop – they have a small terrace from which you can observe life passing by while enjoying ginseng caffè.

Read: The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in Rome

Best Shopping in Rome: Mercatino dell’Usato, Porta Maggiore

For proper thrift shopping in Rome, the Mercatino dell’Usato in Porta Maggiore is a shop you absolutely cannot miss.

From old records to sculptures, cutlery to second hand books and even high-end designer clothes and handbags, the Mercatino dell’Usato has it all.

There are several branches around Rome, with the Porta Maggiore branch being the biggest, and if you find yourself more East, the Largo Preneste branch is quite spacious as well.

Those of you always on the lookout to find new flea markets in Rome will love the Mercatino dell’Usato – especially for books and second hand designer bits!

And if you’d like to find something even cheaper in terms of clothes, do pop by the Porta Portese Flea Market on Sunday mornings.

Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Rome

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Il Cortiletto Di Gabellini Giuliana, Lungotevere

Il Cortiletto Di Gabellini Giuliana is a tiny shop along the Tevere in which you will be able to purchase all kinds of eclectic ceramics and porcelain pieces ranging from sculptures to pots.

The very colorful shop summarizes the essence of Rome, in my opinion, with artistic pieces you could spend hours observing – provided you enjoy pottery and ceramics.

We’re here in one of the most secret shops in Rome, located between Castel San’t Angelo and Via del Corso – once you are done visiting, take the short walk to Palazzo Altemps.

This is one of Rome’s most beautiful palaces, and one you cannot miss, if only to see the gorgeous frescoes surrounding the courtyard!

Read: The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Acqua e Sapone, Torpignattara

The Acqua e Sapone shop in Torpignattara is one of my favorites, and it’s easy to understand why – as an ex-makeup artist very much still in love with makeup, it can be tough to find makeup shops in Rome.

There are a few that include Sephora, MAC Cosmetics and Kiko, and if there’s another one I can recommend, it is Wycon Cosmetics, one of the best Italian makeup brands ever brought to us.

In the Acqua e Sapone shops (they are scattered around Rome), you will also find makeup brands harder to find in Italy; Maybelline, Max Factor, and L’Oreal, namely.

You will also find there Pupa Milano and Deborah Milano, two amazing Italian beauty brands, which happen to sell excellent lip duos with a waterproof top coat.

Acqua e Sapone is one of the most unique shops in Rome in that they also sell products for the home, as well as perfume; your perfect spot to go beauty shopping when in town.

Read: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Rome

Best Shops in Rome: Kik, Torpignattara

A few streets away from where I live in Torpignattara, you will find another really great – and affordable shop, Kik.

Its collections includes cheap clothes and home decor, stationery, and even gardening tools.

If you come from Europe, you probably know about the Action shops – the Action eyeshadow palettes are some of my favorite products there, and, surprise, surprise, there is an Action shop in Malatesta, 10 minutes away from Torpignattara.

Well, if you know about Action, you will love to discover the Kik shops – the home decor items and kitchen tools are really cheap, and quite trendy too!

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Most Unique Shops in Rome: Free Move, Torpignattara

Free Move in Torpignattara is another shop I love visiting; I used to roller skate in London and Barcelona, until I broke my leg last year and had to stop for a while.

There are few places to go roller skating in Rome; unlike the aforementioned cities, renowned for their roller skating scene.

However, I have found a few, and all that was left was actually finding roller skating shops in Rome – my favorite is Free Move.

In there, you will also find skateboards and all kinds of protections and accessories revolving around the skating life.

We are close to two of my favorite food spots as well:

Double Wide Bar, which offers some of the best breakfast in Rome
Pizza e Fantasie Napoletane on Via dell’Acqua Bullicante, which cooks up some of the best pizza in Rome, Neapolitan-style

Plus, in many streets around this very secret shop, and if you’d like to discover some of Rome’s best street art, you will find many murals and street art pieces worth a glance!

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Best Shops in Rome: Bialetti Shop, Termini Station

The Bialetti shop on the lower level of the Termini station is probably one of the least secret shops in town, but in my opinion, a Bialetti coffee machine, a moka, is one of the must buys in Rome.

Bialetti releases new models and colors seasonally, and if there’s one item you should bring back home, it’s a pack of the Bialetti coffee with either the vanilla or hazelnut flavor.

These are both amazing coffees to make at home, and while Bialetti is a famous brand, a visit to the shop will make any coffee lover happy.

In addition, there are quite a few must-visit shops in the Termini station to visit afterwards, which include Bottega Verde for their great hair and body products, Kiko Milano and Wycon, as well as Parfois for costume jewelry.

Read: The Best Restaurants in Trastevere

Most Unique Shops in Rome: Tigota, Torpignattara

When I see how many amazing shops there are in the Torpignattara neighborhood, I often think there’s almost no reason to actually leave the area – everything I might need is there!

This include the Tigota shop, another branch of which you can also find in the Mercato Testaccio – an amazing home and beauty shop!

Tigota sells many natural and independent beauty brands, from face creams and serums to makeup brands, in addition to scented candles, many (many) soap brands, and cleaning products.

Amongst the brands to look out for in Tigota, I Provenziali is my own personal must-purchase.

The I Provenziali products are on a whole other level, whether we’re talking about hair serums, lip balms or body creams.

Tigota is also another one of the most unique shops in Rome in that you will also find drugstore makeup brands which are hard to find in Italy; this include Revlon, Rimmel and Max Factor.

Read: The Best Pasta Restaurants in Trastevere

Best Shops in Rome: Bambole, Flaminio

Bambole, also called la Casa della Bambola on Via Flaminia, is a strange shop that you wouldn’t expect to see in such a posh neighborhood.

And yet, its addition to the Roman shopping scene in 2011 makes the Flaminio neighborhood even more interesting.

At Bambole, you can either buy a new doll or get an old one repaired, as well as purchase all kinds of small toys, sculptures and even plush toys – no Jellycat there, but rather, pieces of history.

Whether you are a collector or just enjoy very unique shops, Bambole is one to discover absolutely before visiting a free museum or finding cheap eats in the surroundings.

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15 Unique Shops in Rome From Souvenirs to Second Hand Books

There you have them, all the most unique shops in Rome, of the kind you shouldn’t miss out on whether you’re looking for budget shops or unusual Rome souvenirs!

Hopefully, you’ll have found here all the addresses you needed to make your trip to Rome even more enjoyable.

Shopping in Rome is one of my favorite activities, especially when I’m not looking for new secret spots and hidden gems that no one’s told you about.

For proper souvenirs from Rome, my recommendations are definitely Rometone, Rome is More and Elvis Lives.

However, if you need more stuff in terms of home decor, Kik is a great shop to visit.

And for makeup, Tigota and Acqua e Sapone are two beauty shops I can’t live without!

Until next time!