A Guide to Shopping in Florence | Best Things to Buy, Malls, Souvenirs & More
Italy has numerous destinations that are famous for their shopping scene. Florence is not the first name on that list. However, if you happen to find yourself wanting to shop in this city frozen in Renaissance Europe, there are plenty of options. Read on to know everything about shopping in Florence.
Best Things to Buy in Florence
Perfume
Accessories
Perfumes are a great buy in Florence. Several small-time sellers make refined scents in their workshops in the city. You can also find outlets of renowned luxury brands that make some of the best perfumes in the world.
Antica Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella - Find on map
Leather Bags
Accessories
Florentine leather works are renowned all over Europe. Shopping streets like Via del Parione and Borgo la Noce have shops where you can buy leather bags from craftsmen who hand-stitch their products painstakingly.
Among the rarest and sought-after items bought on visits to the Tuscan capital is fine Italian handmade gold jewelry. The most well-known gold sector in town, Ponte Vecchio, specializes in selling high-end and unique goods.
First-grade olives are found in abundance in Tuscany, and so is great quality olive wood. If you head to the markets of Florence, don’t forget to enquire whether the aesthetically pleasing crockeries are made out of olive wood.
Since the 16th century, Florence has been synonymous with finely handcrafted ceramics, particularly the skill of producing exquisite pots and plates that portray Florentine Renaissance art. Set aside space in your bags for these.
You will love browsing through the shops in Florence trying to determine which items to buy. Paper made using the Florentine marbling process and items coated with this paper are in great demand in Florence so get your wishlist ready.
What to buy: Clothing, housewares, and accessories
Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell'Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 12 midnight
Piazza Italia
Clothing outlet
What to buy: Formal clothing
Location: Via Nazionale, 30/34, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Oviesse
Clothing outlet
What to buy: Casual clothing
Location: Via Panzani, 31/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 7:30 PM
Ciao Ciao
Basement store
What to buy: Clothing
Location: Via Sant’Antonino, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map
Timings:
Piazza Del Mercato Nuovo
Open-air market
What to buy: Fashion accessories
Location: Via di Capaccio, 1, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
COIN
Departmental store
What to buy: Clothing and accessories
Location: Via San Quirico, 165, 50013 Campi Bisenzio FI, Italy Find on map
Timings: 9 AM to 10 PM
Shopping in Florence: Essentials
Modes of payment:
Cash: Florence is still mainly cash-dependent when it comes to businesses, so keep cash handy.
Visa/Mastercard: Most large establishments accept Visa and Mastercards, but you may be asked to make a minimum transaction.
PayPal: PayPal is the most recognized online transaction application used in Florence.
April, May, October, and November are the best months to visit and go shopping in Florence because:
The crowd is not at its peak in Florence during these months
The weather is delightful, making the shopping experience pleasant in these months
The dearth of tourists in these months makes it easier for you to secure bargain deals
Panini Toscani: As the name suggests, this restaurant is known for its fresh and local sandwiches. Find on map
La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant: This bistro retains a vintage vibe within its four walls and delights its customers with its extensive wine offerings. Find on map
Osteria Santo Spirito: This famed restaurant uses its rustic decor to the fullest by providing its guests with home-style Italian food. Find on map
Ristorante La Spada: If steaks and meats are your preferences, head to this cozy restaurant at the center of the Florentine thoroughfare. Find on map
Mangiafuoco Bracerie: Outdoor seating, delightful pasta, Tuscan antipasti, this restaurant has everything you would want on a typical day out. Find on map
By bus: The city is served by a hip fleet of buses and battery-operated minibusses. Florence's distinctive vintage orange city buses as well as more recent white-and-purple and blue buses have been run by regional bus firm Autolinee Toscane since November 2021.
By tram: Two tram lines are now operating in Florence, and two more are being planned. Line T2 connects Florence Airport to Piazza Della Unità, which is close to Santa Maria Novella train station, and line T1 travels from north to south.
On foot: One of the most walkable cities in the world is Florence. Getting around on foot is the key to finding the city's greatest gems, whether you're going between piazzas decorated with fountains or discovering little churches tucked away on dimly illuminated back alleys.
Always keep cash handy when going shopping in Florence markets as most shops still only accept cash.
Plan your day properly because most stores in Florence close from 1 to 4 PM for their afternoon nap.
Bring cash from your starting point to avoid surcharges and fees rather than making multiple excursions to the ATM.
In certain well-known locations in Florence, credit cards are accepted. To make purchases in Florence, bring a card with a chip and a 4-digit PIN.
Find out if your card enables free foreign purchases by checking. If not, look for one that does to save lots of money.
Bargain hard but bargain fair at Florence markets as these shopkeepers work hard for their earnings and an insulting bargain may put them off.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shopping in Florence
The best things to buy in Florence are artisanal products like beautiful leather, paper, and ceramic items that you must buy. You can also find luxury brand stores selling exclusive jewelry, clothing, and accessories.
The best souvenirs to buy in Florence are local products like Tuscan wine, spices, and vinegar. You may also purchase ceramic plates made by local craftsmen.
The most preferred mode of payment throughout Florence is cash. You can also use credit cards at big outlets and malls.
There are numerous famous shopping streets in Florence. Via Roma and Via di Santo Spirito are great places to shop.
Central Florence, near Palazzo Pitti and Ponte Vecchio, is famous for shopping.
Luxury clothes, accessories, jewelry, as well as artisanal items exclusively made in Florence are probably the best things you can buy in Florence.
The Mall Firenze is possibly the most famous shopping center in Florence. Quartiere San Donato also has many shopping outlets and is a famous shopping center in Florence.
Luxury clothes, accessories, jewelry, and artisanal items exclusively made in Florence like designer housewares, crockery, and decorative items are great things to buy in Florence.
Centro commercial Ponte a Greve, The Mall Firenze, and Consorzio Shoppingcenter Freeland are the best malls to go to when visiting Florence.
The best markets to visit in Florence are Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo Market, and Piazza Del Mercato Nuovo.
The major shopping streets in Florence include Via de’ Tornabuoni, Via Roma, Borgo Santi Apostoli, and Via di Santo Spirito.
Florence has some of the top kids’ toy outlets including the LEGO store. You can also head to the markets of Florence and purchase Italian garments made in the area for kids.