From fine stationery and artisan crafts to leather and gold, Florence is an ideal destination for the refined shopper. The following are some ideas of where to go shopping for the best that Florence has to offer.
High fashion and conventional shopping in Florence
If you’re looking for haute couture fashions, like Gucci, Pucci, or Ferragamo (the last two design houses are native to Florence), head to the area around the streets of Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova, and Via dei Calzaiuoli. These streets in the Santa Maria Novella district are filled with the latest fashions from the greatest Italian and international designers.
For affordable clothing, household items, and other items for mere mortals, check out the shops on the streets of Piazza della Repubblica, such as Via Calimala. Here you will find renowned brands such as Zara and department stores such as Rinascente.
Outdoor flea and antique markets in Florence
Open-air markets are common throughout Florence, with the most famous being the vendors in and around the Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo district. Inside the market, you will find fantastic food stalls, selling meats, cheeses, olives, breads, and countless goodies to fill a picnic basket. Sellers of clothing, leather goods, ceramics, etc., reside in the stalls outside the market.
The Mercato Nuovo, near the Ponte Vecchio, is another place to look for discount finds and tourist trinkets. Across the Arno, Piazza Santo Spirito is the place to go for wares and other supplies, as well as vintage clothing and accessories, antiques, jewelry, ceramics, and more. The produce market is open every day except Sunday. A craft market operates here every second Sunday of the month. Further off the tourist trail, a weekly market (Tuesday) operates at the Parco delle Cascine.
The market is packed with vendors, around 300, selling clothing, bedding, household items, antiques, and more. For a more local experience, and probably a better deal, the Cascine Market is a good bet.
Florentine special items
Beyond designer costumes and vintage finds, Florence is a great city to shop for unique gifts. For beautiful marble stationery, visit Zecchi (Via dello Studio 19r) or Il Papiro (Piazza del Duomo 24r) in the San Giovanni neighborhood.
Leather goods can be bought all over the city, but the Santa Croce Leather Workshop, in the cloister of Santa Croce church, is the most famous place to find leather goods, from jackets and belts to bookmarks. Another church where you can find a sweet memory is Santa Maria Novella, where there is a pharmacy that has been creating perfumes and aromatic oil blends since the 13th century.
Gold is a classic element that is frequently sought after in Florence, usually due to its traditional association with the Ponte Vecchio. Cross the most famous bridge in Florence and you will see gold sellers on each side. It’s not clear if the gold here is a bargain, but you can find high-quality and exclusive necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, rings and more.
