Shopping Neighborhoods

Florence offers some of the best shopping in all of Italy. Alta moda boutiques, numerous leather shops, hand-made crafts, gold jewelry and precious stones, lovely fabrics, silver goods, paper and stationery goods, and of course,  gastronomical delights have enticed travelers from all over the globe for centuries. A haven for those shoppers in search of unique pieces, from clothing to lighting, to antiques, Florence has a never ending choice of stores and fares from which to choose. All budgets can be accommodated because of the vast choice that Florence offers. The historic center and surrounding area in the Oltrarno offer numerous markets, the best high-street boutiques and unique artisans workshops boasting handmade shoes, jewelry, leather goods, handmade paper, and silver goods. Outlined below are some of the areas in Florence where the best and most unique goods can be found.

Via Tornabuoni –Via delle Vigna Nuova

These two streets are a haven for those shoppers in search of brand names. All of Italy’s most well-known and most expensive boutiques have set up shop here enticing clients with their beautiful goods. Gucci, Prada, Pucci, Ferragamo, Hermès, Dolce e Gabbana, Tod’s, Roberto Cavalli, Ermengildo Zegna, La Perla, Loretta Capponi and Bottega Veneta are just a few of the boutiques that these two beautiful streets have to offer. During the semi-annual saldi or sales, these stores boast the same, sometimes deep discounts, as the rest of shops offering their clients bargains on designer goods.

Via Maggio-Borgo Ognissanti – Via de’ Fossi

Piazza Ognissanti, just off of Borgo Ognissanti hosts Florence’s annual Antique Fair inviting dealers from around the globe to display and sell their beautiful wares. Painting, furniture and furnishings are made available to the public both during this week-long event as well as in the stores that purchase the goods. Via Maggio, near Piazza Santo Sprito on the southern side of the Arno River is well- known for antique dealers specializing in paintings, rugs and furniture from the Renaissance to more modern times. Via de’ Fossi and Borgo Ognissanti also boast an extensive selection of antique showrooms with beautiful items from which to chose.

Santa Croce

Most well-known for its leather shops and the leather school located within the church, Santa Croce is a wonderful area to explore both for its lesser-known boutiques. The Scuola di Cuoio in Santa Croce was founded immediately after World War II  by the Franciscan friars in Monastery Santa Croce and the Gori and Corsini families. It is a wonderful place to explore handmade leather goods while watching the apprentices at work.

Ponte Vecchio - Oltrarno

The Ponte Vecchio, otherwise known as the Old Bridge, is the only bridge in Florence with shops still standing. Up until the 16^th century, butchers and tanners were the main shopkeepers on the bridge, but they were forced elsewhere by Duke Ferninando who replaced them with jewelers and gold merchants.  Even today, the bridge glitters with jewelry shops and boutiques where tourists are drawn in by the dazzling windows.

Markets

Mercato San Lorenzo

One of the largest and most famous markets in Florence, Mercato San Lorenzo surrounds the famous facade-less San Lorenzo Church and environs. This market offers goods ranging from leather shoes, coats and bags,  to clothing to paper goods, and ceramics. The large indoor food market is not to be missed. Most Florentines and non do their daily food shopping here where fresh produce, meats, bakery goods and flowers are sold Mondays through Saturdays 7:00 am until 2:00pm. If the leather stalls outside the market are overwhelming, inside respite can be found among the beautiful fruit and vegetable stands and watching the Italian grandmothers get the best produce for the lowest price.

Mercato Nuovo

Otherwise known as the Straw Market or Mercato del Porcellino, this shopping haven is just meters away from the Piazza della Signoria and from the Ponte Vecchio. In the past, this market was the selling point for those producing and selling straw goods: chairs, hats, baskets and now is a good place to pick up scarves, bags and other touristy items without venturing into the maze of Mercato San Lorenzo. The bronze boar at the southern end of the market attracts vistors in need of a wish – it is considered good luck to rub the boar’s nose while making a wish.

Mercato delle Cascine

This market, located in the lovely green expanse of the Casine Park, happens each Tuesday morning. Here you can find almost everything you would need. Normally targeted to a non-tourist crowd, this is good place to go to get a good feel for daily life in Florence and a place to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to various nick-nacks that you might need.

Mercato dei Pucci

A daily flea-market that invites visitors to pick through the junk to find the treasures. Every two weeks, the piazza that surrounds the Mercato dei Pucci, hosts an antique fare and flea market.

Mercato Sant’Ambrogio

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