In Rome, shops are usually open from 9am until 1pm and from 3.30 until 7.30pm (4-8pm in the summer), except on Monday mornings and Sundays. Many shops and restaurants in Rome close for about 14 days (2 weeks) around the 15th August.

The area surrounding Piazza di Spagna is lined with boutiques selling ladies' suits, shoes and accessories, featuring such names as Valentino, Prada, Fendi and Gucci, Missoni and Armani. There are few places in the world where this many designer names can be found within such close proximity of each other.

A number of prestigious antique shops can be found in Via Margutta and Via del Corso, while Via del Banbuino is home to more contemporary designers and stylists.

In the centre of Rome, the vibrant markets are well worth a visit. There are also fantastic second hand clothes shops, where you can pick up 60s and 70s American denim and much more.