15 Must-Get Souvenirs from Rome

You're finally embarking on your dream getaway — a European cruise — and we hope Rome, Italy, is on your travel list. While cruising with Dinogo, you'll have the chance to stop at Civitavecchia, where you can easily reach Rome. Once there, our travel specialists provide plenty of activities in Rome, often referred to as the Eternal City, through our shore excursions. Visiting Rome means immersing yourself in a city rich in culture and history, along with a mouthwatering cuisine that will leave you longing for more. Remember to pick up a unique souvenir to keep those cherished memories alive every day.

Discover the top 15 items to buy in Rome, Italy, as you explore this enchanting city.

1. Italian Ceramics

Regions like Sicily, Tuscany, and Umbria are renowned for their distinct and beautiful styles of handcrafted ceramics. Add a touch of Italian charm to your home by selecting a few pieces of this vibrant pottery. You might also consider smaller items like mugs, pitchers, butter dishes, candle holders, or salt and pepper shakers. With such a diverse selection available, you’ll find it hard to resist taking them all home!

2. Footwear

Italy is synonymous with high-quality footwear. Designer Italian shoes can be quite pricey, often costing hundreds of dollars — but the investment is worthwhile for their classic designs, premium materials, exceptional craftsmanship, and durability. While shopping, seek out Italian shoes that match your personal style at flagship stores, boutiques, outlet malls, and local markets.

3. A Leather Handbag or Travel Satchel

For handbags or travel satchels, nothing compares to authentic Italian leather. To find the finest leather goods in Rome, look for items crafted from pieno fiore (full-grain) or cuoio di grano (top-grain) leather. You'll be amazed by the quality as you feel the luxurious leather in your hands. With its soft texture and rich, earthy scent, your new Italian bag will make you feel brand new!

4. Accessories

The art of jewelry making in Italy has roots tracing back to ancient Roman times, where people adorned themselves with various pieces crafted from silver, gold, bronze, bone, and a variety of gemstones.

Since selecting jewelry is a reflection of personal style, look for items that resonate with you and fit your budget. One of the joys of shopping for jewelry in Italy is the high standard of craftsmanship — even simpler pieces are made with exquisite attention to detail.

5. Fashion Apparel

Italy is home to some of the most renowned fashion brands, and in Rome, you'll find numerous flagship stores and a variety of boutiques featuring designer apparel. If high-end fashion exceeds your budget, consider hunting for fantastic second-hand designer clothing at thrift shops and flea markets scattered across the city.

6. Silk Ties and Scarves

Silk neckties and scarves are a popular shopping choice among travelers to Rome due to their luxurious quality and compact nature. Be cautious while shopping, as many synthetic materials like acetate, nylon, and polyester can be mistaken for silk. Look for ties and scarves that have a lustrous sheen, a soft touch, and hand-rolled, stitched edges. These classic items will make a stylish statement when worn back home.

7. Fragrance

As you stroll past a perfume boutique (profumerie) in Rome, the alluring scents drift out onto the street. Inside, the elegant decor invites you, with coffee beans offered in a small bowl to refresh your sense of smell between perfume 'tastings.' Romans believe in savoring every moment, and some shops even serve cocktails. Alongside perfumes, you'll discover a variety of scented body oils, shower gels, and lotions available for purchase.

8. Pasta

Make sure to grab some authentic Italian pasta for your newly acquired recipes. With an abundance of options, we suggest selecting types that are hard to find back home. Consider bucatini, resembling spaghetti but featuring a small hole through it, or orecchiette, known as 'little ears' due to its unique shape. Keep in mind that U.S. Customs and Border Protection mandates that all food items brought on or off cruise ships must be properly packaged and sealed.

9. Gourmet Foods

For delightful cooking experiences or thoughtful gifts, select packaged gourmet foods that are favorites across Italy. Items that easily fit in your luggage include bottles of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and truffle oil; jars of porcini mushrooms; tubes of Italian tomato paste or olive paste; and boxes of decadent chocolates.

10. Italian Cookbooks

The culinary delights you'll encounter in Rome are extraordinary, so don't forget to pick up cookbooks to recreate these memorable dishes at home. Seek out cookbooks that highlight beloved local recipes such as spaghetti alla carbonara, coda alla vaccinara, carciofi alla Romana, and suppli. Mastering these recipes offers a wonderful way to share your travel adventures with friends and family, making you the talk of the next homemade dinner party.

11. Coffee Products

Given that Italy is renowned for its espresso, cappuccino, and macchiato, it’s only natural that you’d want to bring home some coffee products. Consider purchasing a package of locally sourced whole or ground coffee beans, or perhaps indulge in chocolate-covered coffee beans, espresso candies, or even a bottle of coffee liqueur.

12. Wine

If you're a wine enthusiast, make sure you don’t leave Rome without a bottle of red or white (note that only one duty-free liter per adult is permitted back into the U.S.). Most grocery stores in Rome have a decent variety of local wines, but for something truly unique, visit a wine shop. The Castelli Romani region, located just southeast of Rome, is known for its excellent red and white blends, or you might want to try a budget-friendly Barbera, a popular Northern Italian wine characterized by its deep color, full body, and low tannins.

13. Other Adult Beverages

Besides wine, Italy is known for producing a variety of other adult beverages that travelers are sure to appreciate. Consider picking up a bottle of limoncello, a delightful lemon liqueur hailing from the Amalfi coast. Other favored choices include grappa, a brandy made from grapes, and amaretto, a sweet liqueur that’s perfect for sipping or enhancing coffee and cocktails. Any alcohol purchased while cruising on Dinogos will be securely kept by your ship’s crew until your journey concludes. Check out our FAQ to learn more.

14. Artwork

The beautiful city of Rome and its picturesque countryside inspire countless local artists, who showcase their work in galleries, studios, shops, as well as at public squares and markets. Keep an eye out for oil paintings, watercolors, sketches, and more. For a truly unique keepsake, find a street artist who can create an on-the-spot portrait or caricature for the kids.

15. Religious Items

Given that Rome is the location of Vatican City, it’s no wonder that many tourists choose to bring back religious artifacts. As you approach the area, you’ll discover shops offering a wide variety of religious items, including rosaries, replica statues, pendants, and postcards.

If your European cruise takes you to Rome, seize the opportunity to shop while discovering this stunning city. Explore shops, galleries, and markets, and select any of these 15 items for memorable keepsakes and wonderful gifts.