Whether you just want to buy a couple of affordable souvenirs or are looking to invest in jewelry, specialty food, art, or fashion, Italy is a shopper’s paradise. Our ultimate shopping guide will help you avoid the cheap, mass-produced souvenirs that can be found near most tourist attractions and guide you to artisan shops and specialty boutiques where you will find quality products.
Where to buy in Assisi
Direction
Via San Francesco, 10 , 06081 Assisi PG , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 075 815115
Assisi is one of the most visited mountain cities in the central Umbria region of Italy. There are many shops that sell cheap souvenirs and ornaments, especially near the Basilica of San Francisco, but if you are looking for a unique or special gift, there are artisan boutiques that sell art, fashion, children’s clothing, household items, and food and wine. . We recommend the following, among many others:
- Artestampa, Via S Francesco, 10C: This art store sells beautiful Assisi woodcuts.
- Studio Assisi, Via Fortini 7: Find all kinds of funky clothes in this little boutique.
- Il Lavandeto di Assisi, Corso Mazzini 16: This family shop sells everything that is lavender, which they grow on a farm on the outskirts of the city.
Where to shop in Florence
Direction
Via dello Studio, 19 , 50122 Florence FI , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 055 211470
Web
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Florence is a good place to buy handicrafts, luxurious fashions, shoes, leather, jewelry, perfumes, and stationery. If you are looking for luxury brand shopping (or shop windows), head to the streets of Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova and Via dei Calzaiuoli in the historic center. Around the Central Market there are many stalls selling inexpensive souvenirs and clothes. Cross the Arno to find smaller specialty shops. We recommend the following boutiques (outside of high-end fashion retailers), among many others:
- Zecchi, Via dello Studio, 19R – This shop sells beautiful handmade stationery, making them a perfect gift or keepsake.
- Santa Croce Leather Workshop, Via S. Giuseppe, 5R: You won’t find better leather goods in Florence than in this workshop, which is part of the Santa Croce Monastery.
Where to shop in Lucca
Direction
Via S. Paolino, 44 , 55100 Lucca LU , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 0583 53456
Web
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The walled city of Lucca, in Tuscany, offers good shops for food lovers, artisan workshops, jewelry and fashion. Via Fillungo, the main high-end shopping street, runs through Lucca’s historic center, but you can find more affordable shops and boutiques on Via Santa Lucia and Via Buia. We recommend the following:
- Cioccolateria Caniparoli, Via San Paolino 96: Enjoy your goodies in this chocolate shop.
- Edison, Via Cenami in Via Roma – This is a bibliophile’s paradise, though keep in mind that most of his books are in Italian, with some in English.
Where to buy in Naples
Direction
Vico Due Porte in Toledo, 39/40 , 80134 Naples NA , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 081 407723
Web
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Naples is known for its nativity workshops that produce figurines and other items for Italian nativity scenes, or presepi . Most of the workshops are on or near Via San Gregorio Armeno, in the historic center, and you can buy pieces to build your own nativity scene here. For other shopping kids, Galleria Umberto, opposite the San Carlo Opera House, is a historic shopping center that is quite picturesque. Via Toledo is a street with more modern shops that sell clothes and other items. There are also a number of big-name fashion brands with boutiques here, if you want to splurge. (By the way, Salvatore Ferragamo is from Naples). We recommend the following stores in Naples:
- Mario Talarico, Vico Due Porte a Toledo 4 / b: buy beautiful handmade umbrellas.
- Maurizio Brandi, Via Domenico Morelli 9: Maurizio Brandi’s antiques are second to none in Naples.
Where to buy in Perugia
Direction
Via dei Priori, 70 , 06123 Perugia PG , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 075 573 0252
Web
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Perugia, the largest city in central Italy, Umbria, has shops ranging from specialty shops to artisan workshops and high-end fashion boutiques. Via dei Priori and Corso Cavour are two good streets for shopping. Perugia is also known for baci chocolates and you will find them for sale in shops and cafes. We recommend the following stores, among others:
- Maria Antonietta Taticchi, Via dei Priori, 70: This artist sells beautiful ceramic pieces in her shop.
- Sartoria Camiceria Lemmi, Via Guglielmo Marconi, 59: Splurge on a high quality bespoke men’s suit.
Where to shop in Rome
Direction
Piazza di Porta Portese , 00153 Rome RM , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 0608
Web
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Rome offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities, including designer fashion boutiques, chain stores, flea markets, and souvenir shops. For luxury shopping, head to the area near the Spanish Steps, as well as Via Condotti, and the chain stores, try Via del Corso. We recommend the following markets and shops, among others:
- Porta Portese, Piazza di Porta Portese – This is the most popular flea market in Rome.
- Chez Dédé, Via di Monserrato 35: It doesn’t get any more fashionable than this boutique that sells everything from artwork to home décor items to clothing.
Where to shop in Sorrento
Direction
Via Fuoro, 50 , 80067 Sorrento NA , ItalyGet directions
Sorrento is a charming town on the Amalfi Peninsula of southern Italy and a good place to shop for handicrafts. We recommend the following stores:
- Augusto and Luca’s Workshop, Via Fuoro 50: Find Sorrento’s famous inlaid wooden items, all handcrafted, in this workshop.
- Corium Sandals, Via Degli Archi 20: Browse a large selection of handmade sandals.
Where to shop in Venice
Direction
Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5174 / B , 30122 Venice VE , ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 522 9995
Web
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Venice is one of the most popular cities in Italy for tourists and there are many souvenir stalls selling cheap, mass-produced items. But Venice also has historic shops and boutiques that sell handmade masks and glass, two products that Venice is famous for. We recommend these stores, among others:
- Papier Maché, Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, 5174 / B: Stop by to see the high-quality Venetian masks.
- Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso , Fondamenta Serenella, 18 years old: this family glass workshop has been open since 1397.
