Florence Destination Guide

  Places to See in Florence

  Events & Nightlife in Florence

  Eating out in Florence

  Shopping in Florence

  Visiting Florence
 
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Shopping
Guide to Shopping in Florence

Even in a destination as culturally rich as Florence you'll probably want to hit the shops at some stage during a stay, and you'll not be disappointed. Note that certain shops may be closed on public holidays.

Where to Shop

You don't need to look too hard in Florence to find any number of shops devoted to high fashion, Italian style, vying for attention with the city's art galleries. Thankfully the price tags in the shops don't match those in the galleries, but while shopping is not quite in the realms of Milan or Venice, Florence's boutiques can certainly break a budget. For designer clothing, including Max Mara, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gucci, head to via de Tournabuoni, via Porta Rossa, and via Roma. The Piazza Repubblica and its surrounding streets is where you will find the more affordable high street shops such as Zara and Benetton, as well as many other interesting boutiques.

Historical Shops

One of the joys of shopping in Florence is in exploring its numerous beautifully preserved cafés, shops and markets, many dating back to the mid-19th century. Throughout Tuscany, prizes have been awarded to historical shops and markets considered to be "outstanding landmarks of Tuscan tradition", and many of the best of these are to be found in Florence. For a pocket guide listing all the historical shops and cafes in the city, including maps to help you locate them, drop in at one of the tourist information offices at Borgo Santa Croce, 29, or Via Cavour, 1.

Markets

For a different kind of shopping experience, spend some time exploring some of Florence's markets. To start with, check out the 19th-century covered market, the Mercato Centrale on via dell'Ariento, just north of San Lorenzo. Here you'll find everything from tripe stalls, pasta bars and fishmongers to stands hawking clothes, bags and souvenirs. The market is open for clothes Mon-Sat 08h30-19h00, and for food from 07h00-14h00.

If it's tat and general bric-à-brac you're after, there's no better place than the Mercato Nuovo, Loggia Mercato Nuova (open: Mon-Sat 09h00-19h00). In this 16th-century building you can buy everything from overpriced plastercast reproductions of Michelangelo's David, to inexpensive leather goods and jewellery.

The Mercato delle Pulci, Piazza dei Ciompi (open: Mon-Sat 09h00-19h00), is good for odd antiques and second hand bits and pieces. For food shopping, you can't beat the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, Piazza Ghiberti, a great place to stock up on cheeses, salamis, hams and all manner of Italian goodies. It's open Mon-Sat 07h00-14h00.

What to Buy

Among the city's best buys are shoes, ceramics and other handmade goods. Even in the cheaper stores you can find items of surprisingly high quality. Leather goods are particularly low-priced; shoes, belts, handbags and jackets make excellent purchases.

One of the most versatile outlets in the city, you'll find all manner of top quality items at Misuri Leather and the Gold Market, two shops under the one roof. The selection of coats and accessories here is second to none in the city.

Look out for handmade Italian paper. Although Florence isn't as well known (among tourists at least) as Venice for its marbled paper, there are several outlets where you can see craftsmen creating beautiful and unique designs. A piece makes an unusual souvenir far superior to a plastercast David or a model of the Ponte Vecchio. Other good buys include antiques and old art-prints and maps. The markets of the city are the best place to unearth bargains although several specialist shops can be found in the city.

Food is always a good buy on a trip to Italy. The usual vast range of Italian cheeses, cured meats and other specialities are available in delicatessens throughout the city.

Jewellery from one of the vendors on the Ponte Vecchio will always evoke memories of your trip although you'll have to pay slightly more for the location you're buying it in. There are bargains to be had among the designer boutiques, but they might be hard to unearth. Although you're never going to run off with Italian designer gear for peanuts it is possible to make substantial savings when compared to prices in London or New York.

Opening Hours

Traditionally shops tend to be open from Mon-Sat from 09h00-13h00 and 15h30/16h00-19h30/20h00. Be warned that they generally close for an extended lunch hour between 13h00-15h00/16h00. Increasingly, however, department stores, supermarkets and tourist shops stay open all day every day, including Sundays.

Tax Refund

Value added tax (IVA in Italy) of 20% is added on to the price of all consumer goods and services. Having visited Italy, non-EU tourists can apply for a tax refund on goods bought there. In Italy, the minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is EUR154.94, spent in one store.

To reclaim tax you need to request an itemised invoice, indicating the item, price and amount of tax paid. On departure from Italy, take the items and invoice to the customs office to be stamped. Once home, send the stamped invoice to the store where you purchased the items, which will then send the refund to you.

Alternatively, you can purchase goods from shops participating in Tax-free Shopping programme (look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window). Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping cheque to the amount of tax payable. As you leave the country, customs officials will stamp your cheques. You can then claim your refund from the Tax-free Shopping desk or have it sent to you.

Note that by law in Italy when making purchases in shops, or paying restaurant and hotel bills the client must take the receipt with them.

 

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