Piazzale Michelangelo

To avoid disappointment, save your shopping for the later afternoon and evening, most shops are open until around 7: Stores are generally closed on Sundays and on a Monday morning, but in the centre, through the thoroughfares that lead you from the Duomo to Piazza Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio you will usually find stores open for business as usual with a slightly later start and earlier closing time on Sundays.

But so as not to be disappointed, try not to save all your shopping for Sundays, when most shops in the Oltrarno and Santa Croce area will be closed. Credit cards and ATMs: Many stores take credit cards Visa and Mastercard but American Express is not a favourite and is often not accepted.

I love shopping in Florence!

Some stores, especially chain stores and department stores, require proof of ID when paying with a credit card so make sure you bring along your passport or other ID. ATMs are conveniently located in the heart of busy shopping areas of Florence and main squares of the city, such as Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Repubblica and Via Por Santa Maria near the Ponte Vecchio, which is also where several money exchangers such as Thomas Cook can be found. Skip to main content. It is open only on Tuesday, but you can buy everything you need in one place — they sell food, clothes, shoes and much more.

Expert guide to Florence

In Florence there are two main food markets. The second and at the same time main food market is Mercato Centrale Firenze. Both markets are open from Monday to Saturday with one day-off on Sunday.

Florence Shopping Guide

The Mall is a big outlet outside of Florence. This is a big outlet popular with locals is located in Leccio — a town just one hour from Florence. Reach it by car, taxi or a regular bus from the Florence bus station. Via Europa 8, Leccio Reggello Barberino Designer Outlet is the Florentine paradise for a savvy shopper. Via Antonio Meucci, Barberino del Mugello. Via San Quirico , Campi Bisenzio.

And a small piece of advice: Shopping can be exhausting, we know it. To buy confectionery, bread and wine go in Cantinetta da Verrazzano. The best eclairs in Florence are in Stefania bakery on via Marconi, 26 R. To be wrapped up in the atmosphere of Italy, go to local markets.


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Italians buy most of products on markets. This is more of a tradition and way of life — to communicate, discuss and bargain. Even before artists and sculptors like Brunelleschi, Donatello, Ghiberti and Botticelli began experimenting with working bronze, silver and gold, Tuscany could boast of the fabulous Etruscan gold craftsmen.

Shopping in Florence:Best Shopping Places in Florence Italy

Aside from being famous around the globe for its gorgeous and sparkling windows, Ponte Vecchio is also famous for the jewelry shops located on the bridge where you can find lots of handmade, unique jewelry such as necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and pins. These mosaics are composed of mainly local marbles and are intricate pieces of art, true modern masterpieces from an antique technique. Producing a wide range of soaps, creams, ambient perfumes and body fragrances for men and women, these products are ideal souvenirs at reasonable prices that are truly unique and particular to Florence.

Another lightweight gift item you can search out include the fabulous designs on paper. The stationary is a combination of colors and swirls, or metallic accents and the Florentine Giglio symbol. There is a plethora of options ranging from cards, letters, stationery sets and large pieces of handcrafted paper perfect for crafting or gift wrapping.

Giardino dell'Orticoltura

Most of your ceramic producers are actually located outside of the city center of Florence towards Montelupo, Impruneta and other areas in Tuscany. But that doesn't mean that you won't find a wide selection of artistic bowls, plates, plaques and souvenirs in the many shops of Florence.

For more detailed information regarding the stores to visit, read our article here. Perhaps the most popular, and easiest item to shop for are the delicious flavours of Florence and Tuscany.

However, there is an abundance of food items that do travel well - and they all make great gifts for those hard to please relatives and friends … and memorable souvenirs, to share in company when you finally go home. Between the food, the culture, the history, the art, the landscapes … did I mention the food? I have become a lifelong student. It didn't take long to learn that Italians all have stories that long to be told; stories that paint a picture of how hard work produces character, how life is made of ups and downs and how good it feels to laugh.

Whether small or large, take something back Plunge into the Italian market scene by Our advice to organize a shopping day trip to Navigate the Italian leather jacket market in Learn all about Florence's largest open-air market by discovering