Shopping in Florence
Florence is home to great craft workshops and individual stores like apothecary Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Back streets like Borgo Santi Apostoli are worth exploring. For designer clothes make for Via de'Tornabuoni and Via de'Calzaiuoli - or travel to The Mall, a designer outlet in Leccio Reggello. Pick up leather goods at the San Lorenzo Market. Opening hours vary: big stores open Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm (later on Thursday), smaller stores close Monday morning and at lunch.
The Mall
Designer heaven
Just a 30 minute bus ride from Florence, The Mall is an enormous outlet
centre in Leccio Reggello that stocks an incredible range of designer
clothing - at bargain prices. Brands include Stella McCartney, Armani, Gucci
and Ferragamo.
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Opening Hours
Daily 10am-7pm
Address
8, Via Europa, Leccio Reggello, 50060
Telephone
+39 055 865 7775
La Rinascente
Historic department store
La Rinascente is one of the best known stores in Florence, and conveniently
central on Piazza della Repubblica square. A department store, it stocks a
wide range of designer clothes and accessories, as well as perfumes and
traditional Tuscan goods.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 10.30am-8pm
Address
2, Piazza della Repubblica, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 219 113
Flea Market
Bustling antique stalls
The Mercato dei Pulci, Flea Market, is located near the Basilica of
Santa Croce, just off the main tourist drag. Stalls sell a mix of junk and
antiques. The market on the final Sunday of each month is especially
lively.
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Opening Hours
Daily 9am-7.30pm (from 8am last Sun of each month)
Address
Piazza dei Ciompi, Florence, 50122
Transport
Bus 23A from Santa Maria Novella to Agnolo stop
San Lorenzo Market
Leather accessories
It's hard to miss San Lorenzo Market - a sprawling, lively market in
the heart of Florence. Stalls around the square sell everything from food to
clothes, though it's best known for its leather goods such as belts
and bags.
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Opening Hours
Daily 9am-7.30pm
Address
Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence, 50123
Transport
Bus 23 to Via dei Martelli
Central Market
Fresh produce
For authentic hustle and bustle it's hard to beat the covered Mercato
Centrale (Central Market), near Piazza San Lorenzo square, where locals head
to stock up on groceries. Pick up fresh fruit, vegetables or delicious
cheeses for a riverside picnic.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 7am-2pm (opens Sat afternoon in winter)
Address
Via dell'Ariento and Piazza Mercato Centrale, Florence, 50123
Transport
Bus 12 to Valfonda stop
Bottega delle Antiche Terme
Handmade suits
One of Florence's best-kept secrets, Bottega delle Antiche Terme,
near the Ponte Vecchio bridge, used to be an ancient spa. Today it's
where tailor Simone Abbarchi turns 500 different types of fabric into
made-to-measure suits for businessmen, lawyers and footballers.
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Opening Hours
Mon 3.30pm-7pm; Tue-Sat 10.30am-1pm & 3.30pm-7pm
Address
16, Borgo Santissimi Apostoli, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 210 552
Transport
Bus B to Parione
Giulio Giannini e Figlio
Paper made by hand
Stationery items and leather bound books from Giulio Giannini e Figlio make
for Florence souvenirs. The Giannini family have been making handmade paper
since the early 19th century. The historic shop on Piazza Pitti square has
lovely wooden fittings.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-6.30pm
Address
37, Piazza Pitti, Florence, 50125
Telephone
+39 055 212 621
La Bottega dell'Olio
Olive oil emporium
Tucked away on a little square off Borgo San Apostoli, near the Ponte Vecchio
bridge, La Bottega dell'Olio specialises in Italian olive oils and
sometimes offers taster sessions. Take home cosmetic olive oil souvenir
products like bars of soap.
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Opening Hours
Mon 3pm-7pm; Tue-Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-7pm
Address
2r, Piazza del Limbo, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 267 0468
Transport
Bus from Santa Maria Novella 6A to Ponte alla Carraia stop, then B to Parione stop
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Historic apothecary
Glorious Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is very close
to Santa Maria Novella station, but a world away from modern city bustle.
Established in 1612 by Dominican apothecaries, the frescoed chapel is full
of historic herbal lotions and potions.
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Opening Hours
Daily 9.30am-7.30pm
Address
16, Via della Scala, Florence, 50123
Telephone
+39 055 216276
Transport
Any bus to Santa Maria Novella station
Website
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Website
