Top Rome Souvenirs | What to Buy in Rome
I am sure each one of us would have picked up a postcard or a magnet or some locally made handicraft as a visual reminder of the places we have visited. Souvenirs are a great way to share our travel experiences with loved ones who were not present or to keep as a personal memory. Aside from being memory keepers or being given as gifts, souvenirs are also collected as a hobby by many. My cousin has a huge collection of magnets and keychains from every city he has visited.
If you are travelling to Rome and are looking for the best souvenirs to bring back from this historic Italian city, then this article is for you. We’ve curated a selection of items that we believe make fantastic souvenirs. Our list includes options to suit every budget and taste. Check it out!
Papal Memorabilia and Religious Artifacts
When visiting Rome, many people choose to buy Papal memorabilia and religious artifacts as meaningful souvenirs.
Papal memorabilia includes items like rosaries, medallions or postcards featuring the Pope or important events from his life, such as his visits to different countries or major religious celebrations. These items are popular among many visitors because they serve as a reminder of their time in the heart of the Catholic Church.
Religious artifacts available in Rome include crucifixes, statues of saints, holy water, and even small relics associated with saints. These items are often sold in shops near the Vatican and other famous churches. Many people buy these artifacts as a way to bring a piece of Rome's spiritual significance back home with them. They hold special meaning, not just as souvenirs, but as items that can be used in personal prayer or placed in the home for spiritual comfort and protection.
Limoncello Liqueur
Want to give a taste of Rome to your family or friends? Give them a bottle of Limoncello - a traditional Italian liqueur - as a gift.
Limoncello is, primarily produced in Southern Italy and as you must have guessed from the name, made from lemons as one of the key ingredients. It is sweet and tangy, with a distinct lemon flavour and a smooth, syrupy texture. It can be served neat, as a digestif, but is usually consumed ice-cold. It can even be used as an ingredient in cocktails and desserts.
Limoncello holds a special place in Italian culture and many families make their own limoncello with their own family recipes that have been passed down through generations. There are a number of small artisanal makers as well as popular larger brands who produce Limoncello commercially. You can purchase bottles of Limoncelle from specialist wine stores, local supermarkets or from the airport duty-free shops.
Some of the notable brands of Limoncelle are Villa Massa, Pallini, Meletti, Don Ciccio & Figli and Morandini.
Italian Coffee and Coffee Makers
Coffee in Italy is considered a social activity. People meet in cafés to chat while enjoying a cup of coffee. Italian coffee is strong, rich, and has a robust flavour. If you are a coffee lover or know someone back home who enjoys coffee then you could take back Italian coffee as a gift or souvenir.
Coffee percolators are also a great choice of gift/souvenirs. They are practical, useful and will last long providing a constant reminder of your Rome holiday.
Every other lane in the tourist areas of Rome has small shops selling these colourful coffee percolators.
Books
Books are easy to carry and don’t take up much space in your luggage, making them a great choice as a souvenir or gift. For a foodie, you could take a local cookbook that features traditional Roman recipes and culinary history. For a travel lover, you could pick up a travel guide or one of the many beautifully illustrated books that showcase the artistic and architectural marvels of Rome.
Postcards
I still remember vividly, when I was a young kid and received a postcard from the USA in the post. It was sent by my aunt. On one side was a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and on the other side in her very familiar, beautiful handwriting was a short message for me. The postmark and USA stamp added to the authenticity and made it a treasured gift/souvenir.
Postcards remain a timeless souvenir/gift. They are easy to carry & send and you can include personal messages tailored to the recipient.
You will find stalls selling postcards in almost all streets around the popular tourist attractions in Rome. Most of them feature iconic landmarks of Rome. In Vatican City, there is a post office, known as Poste Vaticane, near St. Peter's Basilica. You can buy postcards here and also send them to friends/family stamped with the unique Vatican postmark!
Ceramics
Ceramic production is a significant industry in many Italian regions and dates back hundreds of years. Some of the key regions and styles are from Deruta (maiolica ceramics), Faenza (beautiful bright colours and precise details), Capodimonte (featuring detailed floral designs and figurines), Sicily (decorative patterns and vibrant colours) and Tuscany (Renaissance-inspired designs with rich, earthy colours). You will have ceramic objects stocked in most gift/souvenir shops in Rome but for a better selection and choice, walk into a specialist ceramics store.
You can choose from functional ceramics like tableware, cooking ware or serving pieces. Or if you are looking for decorative ceramics then there are figurines & sculptures, tiles, vases and more to choose from.
Pasta
Pasta is more than just a food item in Italy; it is like a symbol of their culinary heritage. It is a staple in Italian cuisine and enjoyed both in home kitchens and gourmet restaurants.
If you are heading back from Rome and are looking for a foodie gift/souvenir, then pasta is a great choice. It is non-perishable, easy to pack and can be enjoyed by the recipient or by yourself in a variety of dishes.
Look for artisanal pasta, often made by hand using traditional methods. They have unique texture and flavours and offer an authentic taste that is often superior to what’s available outside Italy.
You could consider gifting pasta along with a jar of Italian sauce, pesto, olive oil or cheese.
Dried Mushrooms
Italy is famous for its high-quality mushrooms, especially porcini, which are prized for their deep, earthy flavor and are widely used in Italian cuisine. It is not feasible to purchase fresh mushrooms and take them back home. So, the next best thing would be to pick up some dried mushrooms instead.
Dried mushrooms are commonly used in cooking to add depth and richness to a variety of dishes, such as soups, sauces, stews, and risottos. They are available in many markets, specialty food shops, supermarkets across the country and even at the airport duty free. You can choose from porcini, shiitake, morels or chanterelles, each bringing its unique taste and aroma to dishes. These dried mushrooms usually come in beautifully packaged bags or jars, making them a perfect gift or souvenir.
Cheese
Italy produces hundreds of different types of cheeses, each with its own unique taste, texture and method of production, reflecting the country’s varied landscapes and cultural heritage. Some of the popular Italian cheeses are Parmigiano-Reggiano (often called the "King of Cheeses"), Mozzarella, Gorgonzola (blue cheese from the Lombardy and Piedmont regions), Pecorino (hard, salty cheese), Ricotta (fresh, soft cheese), Asiago (from the Veneto region) and more.
Grab some packets of cheese if you want to savour the flavours of Rome long after your trip. There are many specialty shops in Rome (like La Tradizione and Volpetti) that stock high-quality and well-packaged cheese. You can ask the store staff about which cheeses travel well and they will point out the best options. Ensure that the cheese is in vacuum-sealed packaging (to make transportation easier) and is labeled with the ingredients.
Note: Before purchasing any cheese, check your destination country’s customs regulations regarding the import of dairy products. You don't want your cheese being confiscated or having to pay a fine.
Dream Ducks
No one who enters the Dream Ducks store in Rome will leave without a smile on their face. This is because there are hundreds of these little ducks in various getups looking at you. You can't help but smile.
These little rubber ducks have no specific meaning, they are there just because they are cute and fun. They can be fab little gifts for duck collectors (yes, there are duck collectors in the world) or simply use them as a decor element in the bathroom. Please note these are not teething toys though.
The huge collection of ducks encompasses movie characters (like Harry Potter, the Godfather, the Star Wars cast), comic book characters (like Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Hulk), Roman representations (Cesare, the Roman soldier and even a Colosseum duck) and other collectibles like Queen Elizabeth Duck, the Cow-Boy, the Chef Duck, the Nerd Duck and more.
The Rome Duck Store is in Via Dei Coronari, 108 (a short walk from Piazza Navona) and is open every day from 11.30 to 19.30.
Chocolates and Candies
Gifting chocolates or candies is a timeless and universally appreciated gesture that conveys affection and love. If you are looking for a sweet foodie gift/souvenir then you cannot go wrong with some luxurious Italian chocolates.
Italy has a rich connection with chocolate. Shortly after cocoa was introduced to Europe from the Americas, Italian artisans quickly mastered the craft of chocolate-making. The northern regions of Italy, particularly Turin in Piedmont, became renowned for their chocolate expertise. Today, Italian chocolatiers are celebrated for their commitment to quality and tradition, often using local ingredients such as hazelnuts from Piedmont, almonds from Sicily, and oranges from Calabria in their chocolate preparation.
Italy is home to several renowned chocolate brands like Perugina, Venchi, Caffarel, Ferrero, Amedei, Domori and Majani. Pick up any of their products and you have a winner on hand. All these brands are known for combining tradition & innovation and using high-quality ingredients to create chocolates that are loved both in Italy and around the world.
If chocolates are not your thing, you can pick up some Italian candies. Pastiglie Leone are small, flavoured sugar pastilles that come in a variety of flavours, including fruit, floral, and herbal options. Most are usually packaged in beautiful tins or boxes making them a nice gift option.
Pinocchio Figurines
For something unique and nostalgic, head to the Pinocchio shop (Bartolucci store) on Via di Torre Argentina (near the Pantheon).
Pinocchio is a fictional character and the protagonist of "The Adventures of
Pinocchio", a novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi, made into a serial in the 1880s. The wooden puppet appeared in many other media in the later years becoming very popular worldwide after the Disney film Pinocchio.
The Bartolucci store in Rome is a family business that started their wood work business sometime in the 1930s. In their shop you will find wooden Pinocchios in different designs, colours and sizes. There are board games, other toys, books and puzzles all inspired by Pinocchio.
Jewellery
Some people like to purchase jewellery as a souvenir or gift. It is not just a simple keepsake but rather a meaningful reminder of a place or a moment. In culturally rich places like Rome, you can find jewellery that features traditional designs, locally sourced gemstones, or artisan techniques that make the piece truly special. Such gifts not only have an aesthetic value but also tell a story, making them a cherished and memorable gift that can be passed down through generations.
In Rome, there is a wealth of jewellery shops, from high-end boutiques to artisan studios, where you can find everything from classic gold pieces to unique, handcrafted designs. In areas like Via Condotti, near the Spanish Steps, you'll find luxury brands like Bulgari, known for their iconic and luxurious designs. For something more unique and artisanal, visit neighbourhoods like Trastevere or the historic center, where small, family-owned shops offer handcrafted jewellery that often incorporates local materials, such as gold, silver, and precious stones. You will also find pieces inspired by ancient Roman designs, blending historical motifs with modern craftsmanship. Try these small local jewellery shops as you are sure to find something unique in there. Plus, you will find something to suit everyone's budget.
Miniature Replicas of Roman Statues
In olden day Rome, statues were found everwhere - in public spaces like forums, baths and temples, as well as in private homes and gardens. They usually were installed for political or religious purposes, venerating deities or for honouring esteemed citizens. Even today, there are innumerable statues throughout the city of Rome. Most are often made from marble but some are made from metals like bronze as well.
Roman statues are known for their realistic portrayal of human figures. The artists were known for capturing intricate details like facial expressions, clothing and even the textures of skin and hair. Some of these marble statues are so life-like. We were beyond amazed at the level of detailing in some statues.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is produced throughout Italy. Some of the most famous regions for olive oil production are Tuscany, Puglia, Umbria, Liguria, and Sicily. Each region has its own distinct olive varieties, climate and soil conditions, which contribute to the unique characteristics of the oils produced in that particular region.
Many Italian olive oils also carry a DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) or a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certification which guarantees that the oil is produced, processed and packaged in a specific region using traditional methods, ensuring its authenticity and connection to its place of origin.
A beautifully packaged bottle of Italian olive oil is both elegant and practical and makes for an authentic gift that's representative of Italy's agricultural traditions and artisanal craftsmanship. There are numerous specialist stores selling varieties of olive oil. You can also pick them up from regular supermarkets and shops.
Leather Products
Italy's leather-making tradition dates back to ancient times, with roots in regions like Tuscany, where the craft has been passed down through generations.
Italian leather is highly valued for its superior quality, which comes from a meticulous process of selection, tanning and finishing. You will find a wide range of leather goods in Italy - from fashion accessories like bags, wallets and belts to luxury footwear, clothing and even furniture. There are internationally known brands like Gucci, Prada and Ferragamo and there are many small, family-owned workshops across the country that produce handmade leather goods.
You will find leather products in all price ranges.
Truffle Gifts
Truffles are a type of fungi that grows underground. They are known for their intense aroma and distinctive flavour and are a sought-after delicacy in Italian cuisine.
Truffles come in several different varieties with the most popular ones being the White Truffle (Tuber magnatum) and the Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum). The former is found primarily in Piedmont, Umbria, and Tuscany while the latter is found in regions like Umbria and Marche. Both have their own unique flavour profile.
In Rome, you can find a variety of truffle-based gifts that would be perfect for food enthusiasts and make for thoughtful souvenirs as well. You could choose from Truffle Oil (Olive oil infused with white or black truffles), Truffle-infused pasta, Truffle creams & sauces, Truffle-infused chocolates, Truffle honey and more.
We’d love to hear about your own experiences! What treasures did you bring back from Rome? Do share your stories and tips in the comments below. Your insights could inspire fellow travellers on their next Roman adventure!
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