Some of the shops in the historic centre sell leather shoes of dubious quality, or else have a temporary, touristy feel, but Mauro Leone, located near Campo de’ Fiori, is a proper shoe shop. It’s family-run business that originally opened in Piemonte in the 1960s; this small shop near Campo de’Fiori is currently the only branch in Rome.

I’m not even the kind of person who gets that excited about shoes, but whenever I visit Mauro Leone I always find several pairs I want to buy. It’s perfect for good quality, reasonably priced smart shoes, from boots to brogues to ballerinas. In the years I’ve lived in Rome it’s become a point of reference for me. If I need a new pair of shoes, Mauro Leone is usually one of the first places I look, and I always find something I like (and something that lasts). Staff are generally friendly and helpful too.