For many years, Florence languished sleepily behind Milan and Rome as a shopping destination, but that has all changed and the city now offers retail... Read More
For many years, Florence languished sleepily behind Milan and Rome as a shopping destination, but that has all changed and the city now offers retail options to suit everyone: fashionistas with an eye on the latest designer gear, hip young things seeking out independent boutiques, and fans of traditional crafts. Gucci, Pucci, Prada, and other big brands are mainly clustered around chic Via Tornabuoni and the grid of streets near Piazza della Repubblica, while the Oltrarno neighborhood (south of the river) is full of quirky boutiques and gift stores as well as artisan workshops where you can see craftsmen painting furniture, carving picture frames, and fashioning bespoke shoes. The San Lorenzo market area is a hunting ground for leather goods and fashion items at bargain prices. Anyone interested in food, wine, and artisanal beers should head to the revamped first floor of the Mercato Centrale, or for foodie gifts, the nearby Florence branch of Eataly. Note that most shops are closed on Sundays.
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Alessandro Dari
Master jeweler Alessandro Dari works in a vaulted, 15th-century space in the eastern Oltrarno. His extraordinary, dazzling pieces—some of them wearable,... Read More
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Angela Caputi
Florentine designer Angela Caputi set up her business producing costume jewelry in 1975 inspired by the Hollywood glamour of the 1940s. Today, her... Read More
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Il Torchio
Leather-bound books and traditional handmade papers make beautiful souvenirs, and one of the more original selections in Florence is available at this... Read More
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Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Even if you have no intention of buying, a visit to this ancient, frescoed pharmacy is a must. Founded by Dominican monks in 1612, its elaborate carved... Read More
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Stefano Bemer
The late Stefano Bemer famously taught Daniel Day-Lewis to make shoes while the actor was living in Florence in 1999; his bespoke shoe brand lives on... Read More
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