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.

Where to buy:

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.

Where to buy:

Jewelry

Accessories

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.

Where to buy:

Olive wood Cookwares

Cookware

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.

Where to buy:

Ceramic Housewares

Accessories

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.

Where to buy:

Paper Goods

Stationery

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.

Where to buy:

Best Shopping Streets in Florence

Via Roma

Shopping street

Location: 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Luxury clothing and accessories

Best stores: Fendi Firenze Tornabuoni, Miu Miu Firenze, KIKO Milano

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Piazza Della Repubblica bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Via Dei Serragli

Shopping street

Location: 50124 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Local clothing and leather goods

Best stores: Nokike Atelier, QUOIO Handmade Leather Goods

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Serragli Campuccio bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Borgo Santi Apostoli

Shopping Street

Location: 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Local jewelry and shoes

Best stores: Angela Caputi Giuggiù, TACS Artigiani del Panno Casentino - Firenze

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Porta Rossa bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Via della Vigna Nuova

Shopping Street

Location: 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Leather items and clothing

Best stores: The North Face Store Firenze, Benheart, Boggi Milano

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Vigna Nuova bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Via Romana

Shopping Street

Location: 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Recycled furniture and clothing

Best stores: Le 18 Lune - Articoli da Regalo Firenze, Orologeria, GHISSU

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Romana bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Via di Santo Spirito

Shopping Street

Location: 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Best for: Artisanal clothing and jewelry

Best stores: Santo Spirito 9, Maurizio & Salici, ANGELA CAPUTI Giuggiù

Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the San Frediano Serragli, Frescobaldi, or Piazza Sauro bus stop

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Best Souvenirs in Florence

Artisanal Chocolate

Where to buy: Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, Rivoire, Amorino

Watches

Where to buy: LOCMAN Italy - Boutique e Gioielleria, Swatch Firenze Piazza S. Giovanni, Orologeria Marretti

Tuscan WIne

Where to buy: Enoteca Alessi, Signorvino Firenze, Enoteca Pontevecchio Srl

Balsamic Vinegar

Where to buy: Pegna dal 1860, Vivi Market snc, La Bottega Del Chianti

Spices and Herbs

Where to buy: Supermercato della Fortuna, Alimentari Uffizi, Gastronomia il Giglio

Tuscan Fabric

Where to buy: Passamaneria Moderna Firenze

Best Malls in Florence

Pelletteria De Nicola Massimiliano

Clothing and accessories

What to buy: Leather items

Location: Mercato Centrale, Via dell'Ariento, 57, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy. Find on map

Timing: 9 AM to 7 PM

Galleria Commerciale Santa Maria Novella

General shopping mall

What to buy: Books and clothing

Location: Piazza Della Stazione, 16, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timing: 8 AM to 9 PM

Quartiere San Donato

High-end shopping mall

What to buy: Jewelry and clothing

Location: Via Enrico Forlanini, 1, 50127 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timing: 8 AM to 9 PM

The Mall Firenze

Outlet mall

What to buy: Clothing and accessories

Location: Via Europa, 8, 50066 Leccio FI, Italy Find on map

Timing: 10 AM to 7:30 PM

Centro commerciale Ponte a Greve

Shopping mall

What to buy: Food and fashion accessories

Location: Viuzzo Delle Case Nuove, 9, 50143 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timing: 8 AM to 9 PM

Consorzio Shoppingcenter Freeland

Shopping mall

What to buy: Clothing and accessories

Location: Via del Cavallaccio, 1, 50142 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timing: 8:30 AM to 2 AM

Best Luxury Shopping Destinations in Florence

BJØRK Florence

Luxury boutique

What to buy: Designer accessories

Location: Via dello Sprone, 25R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timings: Monday to Saturday 11 AM to1:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 7 PM

Barberino Designer Outlet

Designer outlet mall

What to buy: Luxury clothing and housewares

Location: Via Antonio Meucci, 50031 Barberino di Mugello FI, Italy Find on map

Timings:

Calvani Firenze

Footwear outlet

What to buy: Luxury footwear

Location: Via Antonio Meucci, 50031 Barberino di Mugello FI, Italy Find on map

Timings: 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Via de' Tornabuoni

Shopping street

What to buy: Luxury accessories

Location: 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Via Roma

Shopping street

What to buy: Luxury clothing and accessories

Location: 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Clara Lorj Moda

Indigenous luxury outlet

What to buy: Luxury clothing and accessories

Location: 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Find on map

Timings: Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 7:30 PM

Budget Shopping Destinations in Florence

San Lorenzo Market

Market

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

Shopping in Florence - Modes of Payment

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.
Shopping in Florence - 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
Shopping in Florence - restaurant
  • 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
Shopping in Florence - Transportation

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.

Shopping in Florence - Cash
  • 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.