Shopping
Florence's two central streets — via Tornabuoni and via della Vigna Nuova — are the best places to head to when it comes to the most exclusive boutiques, leather goods, and stylish shoes. Here you can find internationally known Italian fashion brands such as Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Ermanno Scervino. Besides shops, Florence is rich in open-air markets. If you want to buy leather goods or clothes, go to the market of San Lorenzo in the Old Town or to the Market of the Porcellino, sheltered under the sixteenth-century Loggia del Porcellino.
loreanto/Shutterstock.comLeather Shops
Leather, leather, leather! It is almost a guarantee to leave Florence with a beautiful bag or a lovely pair of shoes when visiting the city. There is also plenty of lovely home and furniture lines. Florence has a long history of working with hides, skins and leather, which is why you can find real high-quality works of art made according to tradition.
Oliver Huitson/Shutterstock.comMercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale is the indoor part of the San Lorenzo Market. The two-floor building is mostly dedicated to food. Here, the very best specialities that Florence and Italy have to offer can be found. On the second floor, there is a food court where you can relish high-quality meals while soaking in the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the market.
Pedro Rufo/Shutterstock.comPonte Vecchio
Jewellery in Florence is a real art, made with traditional methods in combination with technical perfection and creativity. If you are interested in original gold or silver jewelery, head to Ponte Vecchio and its tiny "botteghe orafe" (craftwork shops). Here, you can find the most renowned and ancient goldsmiths in the city.
Nejron Photo/Shutterstock.comSan Lorenzo Market
San Lorenzo Market is the largest street market in Florence, with hundreds of stalls selling clothes, souvenirs and leather goods. Located just around the corner from the central square Piazza della Signoria, here you will find whatever you are looking for. The market is divided into two parts. The first, indoor, is mainly dedicated to food (Mercato Centrale). The second, outdoor, part is set up among the ancient streets of the city center around the central market building.
cjorgens/Shutterstock.comMercato del Porcellino
The Mercato del Porcellino (literally Market of the Little Pig) is located in the ancient loggia in Piazza del Mercato Nuovo. It owns its name to the Piglet Fountain which is actually a "wild boar" in bronze, a 17th-century copy of a work from the Roman era now stored in the Uffizi Gallery. The lodge was built during the 16th century and it was originally intended to sell silk and precious objects. Today you will find leather and hide objects.
Olgysha/Shutterstock.comUB
UB is a store specialized in vintage, housed in an ancient wallpaper laboratory in the city centre. This shop has a mystical atmosphere, created by an impressive amount of antique objects ideal to decorate a modern house, but also stocks second-hand clothes in perfect condition. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of the beautiful items and by their stories.
Stokkete/Shutterstock.comOfficina Profumo — Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Is the cologne a French invention? No, it is Italian. More precisely, it was invented in Tuscany and only later Caterina de Medici exported it to France. Hence, you cannot miss a visit to one of the age-old perfumeries of Florence. Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is the most ancient perfumery and herbalist shop in Italy. Most of the products are made after ancient receipts inherited by the monastic tradition. Here, you will find perfumes, cosmetics and candles.
Liv friis-larsen/Shutterstock.comVia Dè Tornabuoni
This is the ideal street for fashion victims and haute-couture lovers. A luxurious avenue in the city centre where you will find the most famous Italian (and international) boutiques, such as Bulgari, Prada and Gucci, but also super-deluxe artifacts of various kinds. If you are looking for a place where to do high-quality shopping, this street will not let you down!
Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock.comSignum
If you are looking for an original souvenir to bring back home from your holiday in Florence, Signum is the right place! Here you will find unique and cool items representing the city, from postcards to scale models of Florence's artworks, marionettes, dollies, home decor, stationery and handmade notebooks.
photodonato/Shutterstock.comLa Rinascente
Located in the bustling centre of the city, this Italian department store in Piazza della Repubblica has a wide variety of menswear, womenswear, cosmetics, jewelry, and home goods. You can find stylish options ranging from formal to casual, and from classic to modern. Be sure to stop by the Caffe la Terrazza on the top floor for a delicious meal or drink with a breathtaking view of the Cathedral.
freestocks/Pexels.comThe Mall
The Mall is a fashion outlet located only 30 minutes from Florence, where all fashionistas will find diskounted clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories from the top designers' past collections. Brands such as Gucci, Valentino, Fendi, Tom Ford, Armani Jeans, and Lanvin are housed here.
Tom Wang/Shutterstock.comBarberino Designer Outlet
Barberino offers everything a discerning shopper could ever desire and it's just 30 minutes from Florence. Here you can find 200 of the most luxurious designer fashion brands for up to 70% less. There are also cafés and restaurants on-site in case you need a rest from all the shopping.
Jordan Nix/Unsplash