FlorenceShopping

Florence Shopping Guide

Florence Shopping Guide

Milan may be the capital of Italian fashion but Florence is a much more relaxing and really great place for shopping, from world’s top fashion designer boutiques on via Tornabuoni to flea markets at Giardino della Fortezza (3rd weekend of the month) and various local products. So the question is what should you buy in Florence both for yourself and your friends at home?

Shopping street (shoes, bags, clothes, ties, jewelry etc.). The main street for fashion shopping fans in Florence is Via Tornabuoni, adorned with luxurious palaces that previously belonged to the noble and most wealthiest florentine families. Now inside of most of these palaces you can find world-renowned fashion boutiques, such as Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Armani, Bulgari, Cartier etc. OTHER: Via Strozzi, Via della Vigna Nuova, Via del Parione, Via Roma, Via Calzaiuoli.

Market (typical Italian products). In the San Lorenzo district there is the biggest and best-known Mercato Centrale, or the central market. Vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, cheese, dried tomatoes, pasta, olive oil, sauces with basil and truffles  and other typical Italian products are sold here. By the way, when the market closes (at 2PM), you can go upstairs and try typical italian food in one of many restaurants located there. OTHER: Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio in Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Department store (clothing, food, household items, furniture). In the center of Florence, more precisely in the Piazza della Repubblica, there is “La Rinascente”, a department store founded in Milan in 1917 by Senatore Borletti. It is worth your attention because of the wide choice of goods and the rooftop bar with the stunning view of Duomo di Firenze. OTHER: Coin in Via dei Calzaiuoli 56/r; Armando Poggi in Via dei Calzaiuoli 103.

Neighborhood (Oltarno). “The other side of Arno river” boasts spectacular gardens, flower-topped hills, panoramic views and sunsets on the Arno. Here you will discover beautiful yet unknown gardens, life like in a small town and streets with artisans, artists’ workshops, cafes and trattorias. If you are looking for unique experience, go to “Bottega Art Bartolozzi e Maioli” in Via Vellutini 5r. OTHER: Clet Abraham Studio in Via dell’Olmo 8; AndCompany in Via Maggio 60r.

On-line. If you don’t have enough time or free space in your suitcase then you can shop on-line! Florence has been long since famous for its leather goods, especially genuine leather bags. You can buy them on-line on www.livialippi.it (shop in English www.livialippi.lt).