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Madrid Travel Special
The FT’s guide to the Spanish capital, from navigating the Golden Art triangle to skiing in the sierras
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From ski touring in the Alps to elk watching in the Rockies and dog sledding in Norway
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Mama Shelter
Designed by Philippe Starck, the comfortable space is in synch with its locale, writes Sophy Roberts
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1. Via Condotti
The chicest of the chic shop here, where all the biggest names in haute couture have staked out their turf: Gucci, Bulgari, Prada, Hermés, Ferragamo, Armani, Trussardi, Valentino and more. It's a foregone conclusion that this street offers no bargains, but the staff will make you feel like visiting royalty.
2. Via del Corso
Up and down Rome's central axis street, you'll find the entire range of shopping options. Music stores and trendy young styles predominate, but there are also good shoe shops and one of Rome's rare up-scale department stores, La Rinascente.
3. Via Cola di Rienzo
This is Rome's best street for middle-range clothing. In addition, one of the few remaining Standa department stores is here, featuring inexpensive merchandise of all types. For hard-to-find American and traditional food items, Castroni is the city's best shop.
4. Via Borgognona
The other major street for top-name fashion, second only and parallel to Via dei Condotti. Here's where Dolce e Gabbana, Fendi, Ferré, Givenchy and Versace have all set up shop. Don't omit nearby Piazza di Spagna, which is home to Frette, Missoni and Krizia.
5. Via dei Coronari
Named for the rosary makers and sellers that used to line the way when it was on the main pilgrimage route to St Peter's, this street now has a reputation for antiques. Only partly deserved, however, since prices are generally exaggerated and most pieces are imported.
6. Via del Babuino
An imposing blend of high fashion (Armani, Chanel, Tiffany & Co.) and antiques make this street one of Rome's most elegant. Worth a stroll just to peek into some of the finer antiques shops - they're full of Baroque furniture, paintings and antiquities.
7. Via Margutta
A wonderful range of art, antiques and antiquities shops has made this little street famous. Nos. 45 and 86 often have stunning merchandise for sale, whereas No. 109 specializes in more affordable copies of antiquities.
8. Via Bocca di LeoneVia Nazionale
One of the side streets that joins Via dei Condotti and Via Borgognona itself has several high-style boutiques. A wonderful jewellery shop, Siragusa, creates unusual rings, bracelets and necklaces using ancient sardonyx seals, carved stones and coins.
9. Via Nazionale
A solidly mid-range shopping experience, lined with shoe and clothing boutiques, Oriental rug stores, an international bookshop and a reliable bag and luggage emporium. UPIM, Italy's popular low-cost chain department store, also has an outlet here.
