shopping in florence
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Where to go shopping in Florence

The best places to pick up traditional crafts, unique souvenirs, and typically Florentine items.

Whether you’re just visiting or here for a longer stay, one of the joys of being in a foreign country is exploring the shops and markets, picking up souvenirs and unique pieces to remember your trip forever.

Florence has a rich heritage of craftsmanship and leather goods, placing shopping high on many visitors’ lists. Here, we take you through some of the best areas in the city to find truly special items that you’ll cherish long after you’ve strolled the streets of the city.

Shopping For Lovers of Luxury

There’s nothing quite like wandering along twinkling via de’ Tornabuoni and Ponte Vecchio, with all the opulence and elegance of Florence matched with the equally extravagant stores. Shopping in Florence is a unique experience, thanks to the many up-market boutiques found here (think Gucci, Ferragamo and more!), it’s a joy to stroll along this fashionable street, letting it take you to the glittering displays of Ponte Vecchio where you’ll find centuries-old jewellery stores on one of the most charming bridges in the world.

Finely crafted pieces by Florentine artisans can be found, along with perfumery perfection at Officina de’ Tornabuoni where you can pick up all kinds of delicious scents and skin care. Definitely don’t miss this street over the festive season, as Christmas lights and decorations turn shopping in Florence into an unforgettable and magical occasion.

Bustling businesses

Mix up your museum trips with visits to the centre’s shopping streets. The historic centre is not just a treasure trove of art and architecture, it also vaunts many opportunities to purchase leather bags, the latest Italian fashion (don’t miss Luisa Via Roma!) and gourmet delights. Circle via de’ Calzaiuoli, via Roma, and piazza della Repubblica on your map, as they are a great base point for procuring everything from essentials to the extraordinary, with big-name high-street brands to be found also.

Meander around markets

Continue beyond Piazza della Repubblica by taking a side street from via dei Calzaiuoli and you’ll find yourself in via del Corso. After you’ve paused to take in the breathtaking medieval towers that were formerly the homes of noble families, turn into Borgo degli Albizi and then via Pietrapiana to end up in Sant’Ambrogio and its famous historic market. The colorful stalls and vibrant atmosphere give it an almost festive feel.

Another market that hits high on visitors’ lists is San Lorenzo, where you’ll find everything from traditional stationary to leather gloves, belts, jackets and bags, with each winding street taking you to discover even more gift ideas (for yourself as well as others!). The San Lorenzo food market ( Mercato Centrale ) is a must for typically Florentine bites, giving you plenty of sweet and savoury options.

Florentine Shopping Favorites

Head to the outer rim of the city near Piazza Beccaria to discover another intriguing place for purchases. The fact that Florence is easily walkable makes exploring all these various zones a comfortable feat. Via Gioberti is a lovely long street packed with fascinating storefronts that house all kinds of items. Frequented by many Florentines, you’ll find lots of locals doing their shopping here, meaning it’s great for unique finds and original Florentine items.

Shops Featuring Oltrarno’s Artisanal Excellence

Don’t make the mistake of only staying on one side of the river! Heading "Oltrarno" (literally means other side of the river), will bring you to the bohemian districts of San Frediano and Santo Spirito where antique shops and traditional craftsmanship reign supreme. It’s a truly unique experience to wander in and out of these workshops/stores, where you’ll often find the makers right at work in front of your eyes, putting together the pieces that have been lovely prepared according to the centuries-old methods that have been passed down through generations.