Art Galleries to Outdoor Markets: The Complete Guide to Shopping in Florence

Shopping in Florence offers plenty of options for every budget. From local products to expensive international brands, you can find every kind of good. Join us on this journey to discover the best places to go shopping in Florence!

A woman in a jean shirt points to a tall shelf of wine for sale — Picking out a bottle of Tuscan wine could find itself on your shopping list! Photo credit: Lucía Montenegro

Contents hide

2 Designer shopping in Florence

4 Shopping in Florence on a budget

4.1 Mercato di San Lorenzo

4.2 Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

4.3 Mercato di Santo Spirito

5 A final tip

Unique experiences

If you’re aiming for a unique shopping experience, Florence is the right place. There are places to go shopping in Florence that you won’t find in any other place in the world. Here’s our selection of the best.

Stationary

Surprised? We know, we’re in the digital era, but trust us – Florentine paper is a work of art. Stationary, diaries, and little notebooks make treats for the bookworms in your life. Our favorite place is Il Papiro, where you can even take part in a workshop and learn how marbled paper is made.

Perfume

If you’re looking for some sublime perfumes, you need to visit Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It’s located in a 16th century apothecary, and just the experience of being in this magical atmosphere is worth the visit.

Jewelry

Florentine goldsmith expertise is as ancient as the Duomo itself, and every jewelry shop on Ponte Vecchio is there to remind us of this beautiful tradition. If you’re aiming for the best and aren’t afraid of high prices, we recommend popping by the Paolo Penko jewelry store. You may even find Paolo Penko himself at work there.

The Ponte Vecchio on the Arno River in Florence on a sunny day — Many of the shops on the iconic Ponte Vecchio are filled with jewelry stores. Photo credit: Michael Beaton

Designer shopping in Florence

The Mall

If you’re a hopeless fashionista, The Mall is the place for you. All the brands are here, from Armani to Ermenegildo Zegna.

The Mall is outside the city center, and there are regular buses which leave every two hours from the train station. Before you arrive at this shopping temple, prepare your credit card for a good workout!

The outside of The Prada store at a designer outlet mall in Italy — Designers at The Mall include Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, and Valentino. Photo credit: Stefano Costantini

The art scene

Are you looking for something really sophisticated to impress your friends back home? There are a wide selection of art galleries and auction houses to bring back a bit of that Florentine spirit and history.

Art galleries

Contemporary art appreciators will find their slice of heaven in ARTiglieria and Galleria 360. These galleries often organize vernissages, and you’ll find some smart gallerists to talk to.

A woman in a white shirt looks at a portrait painting of a serious woman — The Uffizi isn’t the only place you can see artwork in Florence. Photo credit: Snow White

Art auctions

Best known for its many antiques dealers, Via Maggio in the Oltrarno district is where you’ll find many options for picking up antiques. However, if you prefer the adrenaline of an auction house, check out Pandolfini.

The facade of the Palazzo Pandolfini in the center of Florence — The Pandolfini auction house is located in the stately Palazzo Ramirez-Montalvo. Photo credit: Ricardalovesmonuments

Insider’s tip: Make sure to check out our top recommendations for Oltrarno restaurants when you’re on this side of the river!

Shopping in Florence on a budget

If you’re looking for something less expensive but equally chic, you can surely find your Made in Italy souvenir in one of Florence’s many markets. Read on to find the most famous markets to go shopping in Florence.

Mercato di San Lorenzo

You surely know Mercato Centrale, one of the best places to shop like a Florentine (if you know the right tricks – bookmark our tips for checking out food markets in Florence!). But every morning, from Tuesday to Saturday, you can stop in the streets around it to find a colorful show of leather jackets, leather purses, and even leather-bound diaries.

Locals won’t be around—it’s not every day you need expensive leather shoes. But it’s a leather market full of small, precious sensory pleasures, like smelling the leather and touching the soft material while soaking up the chitchat of tourists.

Shoppers in Florence check out a busy outdoor flea market — Soak in the sights and the sounds of the street stalls and fleat markets in Florence. Photo credit: David Michalczuk

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

Although this historical market is more focused on gastronomy, you can also find yourself in second-hand heaven. Knick-knacks, furs, jewelry, and much more – there are so many treasures just waiting to be discovered. And the best part? Watching Florentines bargain down the price!

A middle-aged woman shops at a food stall packed with meats, cheese, breads, and packaged goods inside a market in Florence — Picking out just one item is incredibly hard – especially at a tempting Florentine food stall. Photo credit: Charles Büchler

Mercato di Santo Spirito

In Piazza Santo Spirito, you can find something a little less blatantly Florentine, but a little bit more local. Every morning, the piazza is full of stalls that sell knifes, second-hand books, and even fashion items.

Leather goods – including belts, wallets, shoes, and bags – can be found all over Florence. Photo credit: Max Nayman

A final tip

If you’re going shopping in the markets (or even in some little shops), always remember to carry cash. Stands won’t allow you to pay with card.

You’re now ready to go shopping in Florence! Mingle with locals and fashionistas and, above all, have a great time finding the perfect gift.