View of the Vatican with blue sky from the Tiber river.

I won’t lie to you; during my first weeks in Rome, I definitely struggled. I was on my own in Italy, and frankly, I didn’t feel at home yet. In the early days of my Roman adventure, I spent more hours crying on a yoga mat than I care to admit.

If there’s one conclusion we can draw from my experience, it’s that moving abroad to study is definitely not for the weak! My anecdotes always remind me that I’m not God’s strongest soldier, but I’ve learned to navigate the challenges of adjusting to a new country as an international student.

What really helped me during my first year at Sapienza University was discovering essential places for international students in Rome, spots I could rely on to buy necessities for both my personal life and my university experience.

In this blog post, I’ll share my top essential places for international students in Rome. From self-care and wellness to study resources, these locations will provide everything you need to thrive in your new life abroad (so you hopefully never end up crying on a yoga mat!).

La Feltrinelli – Largo di Torre Argentina 5/A

The inside of La Feltrinelli in Rome. International bookshop department

For a book lover like me, stepping inside La Feltrinelli always feels like a warm, comforting hug. La Feltrinelli is one of Italy's most famous bookstore chains, known for its extensive selection of books, music, and multimedia products. While it has multiple locations across Rome, in this blog post, I want to recommend a specific one.

Outisde the La Feltrinelli store in Rome

The La Feltrinelli location on Largo di Torre Argentina is by far my favourite store in Rome. As someone who has visited all their stores in the city (did I mention I’m a book lover?), I can confidently say this one is the best for international students. The store has an impressive selection of English books, and I almost always find what I need. If they don’t have the book you’re looking for in stock, the staff will be more than happy to order it for you, so you can pick it up on your next visit.

Display of English book covers in La Feltrinelli Rome

Since La Feltrinelli is such a big chain, you can also order books through their website and have them sent to your chosen store for pickup.

Beyond books, the store carries some of my other favourite items: notebooks. The stationery selection at this La Feltrinelli is impressive, and they even carry my favourite brand of notebooks! Overall, whether you need a specific book for university or want to indulge in the latest BookTok romance, La Feltrinelli is the place to go!

Acqua & Sapone

During my first weeks in Rome, I looked around at all the beautiful Italians with their gorgeous hair and found myself asking: where do these people buy their shampoo? By that point, I had been searching for days and couldn’t find a single drugstore—nothing like an Etos (for the Dutchies) or a DM (for the Germans). Then, on one lucky hair day, I spotted the holy grail: Acqua & Sapone.

Inside Acqua & Sapone. View of shampoo and other hair products.

Acqua & Sapone is a popular Italian chain that specializes in personal care, beauty products, household items, and health essentials. They have numerous locations throughout Rome, but none are in the city centre, which is why it took me so long to find one.

The store offers a wide range of products, including toiletries, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies. Their selection features both well-known brands and local Italian products, allowing you to experience and try some local favourites if you’d like.

Acqua & Sapone is especially appreciated for its competitive prices and frequent promotions, making it budget-friendly for students living abroad. The stores are always organized and spacious, making it easy to find what you need—whether it’s a new lipstick, detergent, or shampoo.

Copy Point 110 – Viale Ippocrate 110/112

Outside information board at Copy Point 110 Rome.

At Sapienza University, or at least in my course, a lot of study materials are provided as PDFs. It’s super convenient, but if you’re anything like me, studying from a screen just doesn’t work. Back home in the Netherlands, even thinking about printing all my PDF books would practically leave me bankrupt. Luckily, a friend introduced me to the perfect spot in Rome where I can print all my uni materials without spending a fortune.

Copy Point 110 is a print and copy centre located at Viale Ippocrate 110/112, very close to Sapienza University. It’s an ideal spot for students, offering reliable and affordable printing and copying services for everything from lecture notes and assignments to thesis binding and presentation materials.

I’ve tried several printing places around Sapienza, but Copy Point 110 has my heart. From what I’ve seen, it’s the cheapest option, with prices starting at just 3 cents per page! For international students, the system is perfect: just bring your USB or flash drive, and they have multiple self-service computers where you can start printing immediately. The staff at Copy Point 110 is friendly and experienced, always ready to help with any questions or special requests, like binding your books or assignments.

This copy point was a lifesaver during my first year at Sapienza, covering all my printing needs at a student-friendly price.

Porta Portese

Arriving in Rome in the extreme summer heat, I didn’t exactly pack a lot of winter clothes. In dire need of layers, a friend recommended me to go to Porta Portese, a famous flea market in Rome.

View of the shops at the Porta Portese Market. You see piles of clothes and people shopping.

Porta Portese is Rome's most well-known flea market, held every Sunday morning in the Trastevere neighbourhood. This lively market is a treasure trove for international students and locals alike, offering everything from vintage clothing and accessories to antiques, books, and unique souvenirs.

You can find the entrance to the market at Piazza di Porta Portese, where you’ll walk through the gate to enter. As you stroll through the market, you'll encounter countless stalls filled with piles of clothing, inviting you to dig through and uncover hidden gems. Prices are incredibly affordable, ranging from just 1 to 5 euros per item, making it easy to score great deals. Last year, I bought two fantastic sweaters for just a euro each, it doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than that! Plus, buying second-hand clothes is a great way to be environmentally friendly.

Crowded Porta Portese Market with a lot of shops on the side and walking people in the middle.

Before you run (don’t walk!) to this market, be aware that it can get incredibly crowded. If large crowds aren’t your thing or if you easily feel overwhelmed, this market might not be the best fit for you, and that’s perfectly okay.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating life as an international student in Rome can be a thrilling yet challenging experience. Finding essential spots like La Feltrinelli, Acqua & Sapone, Copy Point 110, and Porta Portese really helped me settle into my new home by making everything just a little bit easier. Whether you need books, personal care products, printing services, or affordable clothing, these locations will ensure you have everything you need to thrive in this beautiful city.

So, don’t hesitate! Make a plan to visit these essential spots and embrace your Roman adventure. And remember, while adjusting to life in a new country can be tough, you’re never alone. Reach out to fellow students and locals, explore the city, and discover your own favourite places along the way. Happy exploring!