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Florence

Shops and Markets

Shopping in Florence can be a unique experience as you wander through its ancient and medieval streets, exploring the city's renowned tradition of crafts and family-run businesses. Few cities of comparable size can boast such a profusion and variety of high-quality goods. Walking around the city you will find shops selling Italian fashion, antiques and jewellery as well as typical Florentine crafts. Tuscany is dwarfed by Florence when it comes to shopping possibilities. However, the rich traditions of many outlying towns and villages boast a variety of local crafts and specialties. These range from ceramics, hand-woven materials to the region's many gastronomic delicacies.

When To Shop

Generally, shops open around 9am and close at 1pm. In the afternoon they re-open from 3:30pm to 7:30pm, though food shops tend to open earlier in the morning and remain closed from 1pm to 5pm. Most shops shut on Monday morning but food stores are closed on Wednesday afternoon.
Almost all shops close on Saturday afternoon in summer, and shops and markets tend to close for two or three weeks around 15th August, the national holiday (ferragosto).

How To Pay

Major credit cards are usually accepted in larger shops, but smaller ones prefer cash. Travellers' cheques are widely accepted for payment of goods, though the rate is less favourable than at a bank.
Shopkeepers and market stallholders should by law give you a receipt (ricevuta fiscale). If a purchased item is defective, most shops will change the article or give you a credit note, as long as you show the till receipt. Cash refunds are uncommon.

VAT Exemption

Visitors from non-EU countries can reclaim the 20 per cent sales tax (IVA) on purchases from the same shop exceeding 160. Ask for an invoice (la fattura) when you buy the goods and inform the shop of your intention to reclaim the tax. You will need to show your passport and the shop will fill out and stamp a form which can be taken to the relevant office at the airport.

Shopping In Florence

The centre of Florence is packed with shops selling everything from designer clothes to second-hand books. It is compact and easy to get around, as many streets are pedestrianized. It is also worth exploring the streets away from the centre around Piazza di Santa Croce, Piazza dei Ciompi and Piazza di Santo Spirito for furniture and gift shops where craftsmen are busy at work. The best time for bargains is during the January and July sales (saldi).

Department Stores

The city's main chain store is Coin, a popular independent department store. This store stocks mid-range casual clothing, shoes, toiletries, children's clothing and toys, and a huge range of fashion accessories, including hosiery, sunglasses, bags and scarves. It also has an extensive home collection.

Rinascente in Piazza della Repubblica has designer clothing, lingerie, household items and a rooftop bar with direct views of the Duomo.

Principe has classic menswear and women's and children's clothes as well as upmarket home accessories.

Coin
Via dei Calzaiuoli 56r.
Tel. 055 28 05 31

Principe
Via delle Belle Donne 1/9r.-15r.
Tel. 055 29 27 64

Rinascente
Piazza della Repubblica 1.
Tel. 055 21 91 13

Clothing

		In Florence the big names in Italian fashion include- Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, Versace, Prada and Roberto Cavalli, which are mostly found in Via de' Tornabuoni. This elegant street is also home to the French designer Yves Saint Laurent and, at the top of the street in Piazza Antinori, is Hermès. Opposite the imposing Palazzo Strozzi is Louis Vuitton, with its impressive collections of footwearm clothing and luggage;
Dolce and Gabbana is in Via degli Strozzi nearby and Valentino is in Via dei Tosinghi. In Via della Vigna Nuova, you'll find La Perla, which specialises in sophisticated lingerie, while younger and more affordable styles can be found at Gioel and Intimissimi. Luisa Via Roma and Raspini stock top-designer clothing and shoes, while Eredi Chiarini and Matucci have more casual styles. Emilio Pucci , famous for his extravagant 1960's print clothes is in Via di' Tornabuoni. There are opulent hand-woven fabrics, fine silks and vintage fabrics at Casa dei Tessuti, and embroidered lined can be found at Taf. Those looking for discounts on Italian designer clothing and shoes should venture out to The Mall or Barberino Designer Outlet. Both these outlets are located approximately 30 minutes away from Florence.

Armani Via de' Tornabuoni 48/50r. Tel. 055 21 90 41	Barberino Designer Outlet A1 Firenze-Bologna, exit Barberino di Mugello. Tel. 055 58 42 16	Casa dei Tessuti Via de' Pecori 20-24r. Tel. 055 21 59 61
Dolce & Gabbana Via degli Strozzi 12-18r. Tel. 055 28 10 03	Emilio Pucci Via de' Tornabuoni 22r. Tel. 055 265 80 82	Eredi Chiarini Via Roma 16r. Tel. 055 28 44 78
Ferragamo Via de' Tornabuoni 14r. Tel. 055 29 21 23	Gioel Via Porta Rossa 43r. Tel. 055 28 79 19	Gucci Via de' Tornabuoni 73r. Tel. 055 26 40 11
Hermès Piazza Antinori 6r. Tel. 055 238 10 04	Intimissimi Via dei Calzaiuoli 99r. Tel. 055 230 26 09	Louis Vuitton Piazza degli Strozzi 1. Tel. 055 26 69 81
Luisa Via Roma Via Roma 19r-21r. Tel. 055 21 78 26	The Mall Via Europa 8,Leccio Reggello Tel. 055 865 77 75	Matucci Via del Corso 71r. Tel. 055 239 64 20
La Perla Via della Vigna Nuova 17-19. Tel. 055 21 70 70	Prada Via de' Tornabuoni 67r. Tel. 055 28 34 39	Raspini Via Roma 25r-29r. Tel. 055 21 30 77
Roberto Cavalli Via de' Tornabuoni 83r. Tel. 055 239 62 26	Taf Via Por Santa Maria 17r. Tel. 055 239 60 37	Valentino Via dei Tosinghi 52r. Tel. 055 29 31 42
Versace Via de' Tornabuoni 13-15r. Tel. 055 28 26 38	Yves Saint Laurent Via de' Tornabuoni 29r. Tel. 055 28 40 40

Shoes

Italy is renowned worldwide for its shoes and, with the local Tuscan tanneries, there is nowhere better than Florence to find footwear for all tastes. Some shops design and make classic shoes by hand in-store, while others stock huge collections of new styles for each season.

At the top end, the refined finishing and elegance of Ferragamo's shoes are sought after by Hollywood stars, and Gucci and Prada are both meccas for admirers of designer Italian shoes. If you prefer more classic styles then head across the Arno to Francesco, a tiny shop that sells simple handmade shoes and sandals, or Quercioli for high quality hand stitched leather shoes for both men and women. The mid-priced range is well represented by Romano, which stocks collections of shoes and boots in good-quality leather. For more casual and sporty styles, try the reasonably priced Peppe Peluso. Alternatively stroll down Via de' Cerretani, which houses many affordable shoe shops including the popular Divarese.

Divarese Piazza del Duomo 47r. Tel. 055 230 28 95	Francesco Via di Santo Spirito 62r. Tel. 055 21 24 28	Peppe Peluso Via del Corso 5-6r. Tel. 055 26 82 83
Quercioli Via Calzaiuoli 18/20r. Tel. 055 21 39 41	Romano Via Porta Rossa 14r. Tel. 055 28 96 88

Leather Goods

Piazza di Santa Croce and the adjoining streets are filled with leather shops and workshops. Inside the cloisters of the church itself is the Scuola del Cuoio, where leather craftsmen work in front of the customers. Classic leather bags and gifts are sold at Bojola, Il Bisonte and Beltrami, and more contemporary styles can be found at Coccinelle and Furla. Peruzzi stocks leather clothing and accessories for men and women. The best place to buy gloves is Madova. For good value bags, belts and leather jackets try the Mercato di San Lorenzo or the market stalls in Via Pellicceria.

Beltrami Via della Vigna Nuova 70r. Tel. 055 28 77 79	Il Bisonte Via del Parione 31r. Tel. 055 21 57 22	Bojola Via de' Rondinelli 25r. Tel. 055 21 11 55
Coccinelle Via Por Santa Maria 49r. Tel. 055 239 87 82	Furla Via de' Calzaiuoli 47r. Tel. 055 238 28 83	Madova Via dei Giucciardini 1r. Tel. 055 239 65 26
Peruzzi Borgo de' Greci 8-20r. Tel. 055 28 90 39	Scuola del Cuoio Piazza di Santa Croce 16. Tel. 055 24 45 33

Toiletries

For toiletries and beauty products head to a profumeria (perfumery), such as Aline, Profumeria Inglese or Le Vanita', which also has a beauty centre and solarium.
Erboristerie (herbalists) sell a range of natural products. Try the Erboristeria di Palazzo Vecchio for unique handmade perfumes. The Erboristeria Inglese on Via de' Tornabuoni dispenses natural remedies and tisanes, and stocks natural beauty products, perfumes and gifts. Also worth a visit is the Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, a frescoed apothecary, selling products from the elixirs of the Camaldoli monks to perfumes, herbal remedies and sweets.

Aline Via dei Calzaiuoli 53r. Tel. 055 21 54 36	Erboristeria Inglese Via de' Tornabuoni 19. Tel. 055 21 06 28	Erboristeria di Palazzo Vecchio Via Vacchereccia 9r. Tel. 055 239 60 55
Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella Via della Scala 16. Tel. 055 21 62 76	Profumeria Inglese Piazza dell'Olio 4. Tel. 055 260 88 01	Le Vanità Via Porta Rossa 55r. Tel. 055 29 01 67

Jewellery


Florence has always been noted for its gold and silversmiths. Go to Torrini, whose family has produced jewellery for six centuries, and to Pommellato's stunning shop on Via de' Tornabuoni, for its famous chunky white gold rings with huge semi-precious gems. Bulgari is on the same street, and so is Parenti, which has beautiful Baccarat rings and unique antique jewels. Try Aprosio & Co. for decorative jewellery made from precious metals and tiny glass stones. The tiny wooden shops on the Ponte Vecchio are all jewellery shops, some with beautiful antiques from Italy and abroad, other with high-quality new Italian gold pieces.

Aprosio & Co. Via di Santo Spirito 11. Tel. 055 29 05 34	Bulgari Via de' Tornabuoni 61r. Tel. 055 239 67 86	Parenti Via de' Tornabuoni 93r. Tel. 055 21 44 38
Pommellato Via de' Tornabuoni 89r-91r. Tel. 055 28 85 30	Torrini Piazza del Duomo 10r. Tel. 055 230 24 01

Art And Antiques

Florence has always been a centre of artistic excellence. This heritage has translated into a wealth of antiques and fine art shops. The antiques shops are mostly clustered around Via dei Fossi, Via Maggio and Via dei Serragli.
For top quality antiques go to Neri or the nearby Cei. Romanelli has bronze statuary and works encrusted in semi-precious stones, while Ducci has an exquisite selection of handmade boxes, prints and sculpture in marble and wood. For lovers of modern art, there is Galleria Tornabuoni, while modern art objects and gifts can be found at Armando Poggi. Ugo Poggi has a selection of household objects, including elegant porcelain.

Ugolini and Mosaico di Pitti create tables and framed pictures using the age-old technique of marble inlay. Arredamenti Castorina has a wonderful selection of picture frames, mouldings, brassware and intricate intarsias. More contemporary styles are at Mirabili, which showcases furniture and interior designers.

Armando Poggi Via dei Calzaiuoli 103-116r. Tel. 055 21 17 19	Arredamenti Castorina Via di Santo Spirito 15r. Tel. 055 21 28 85	Cei Via dei Fossi 17. Tel. 055 239 60 39
Galleria Tornabuoni Via de' Tornabuoni 74r. Tel. 055 28 47 20	Mirabili Lungarno Giucciardini 24r. Tel. 055 294 257	Mosaico di Pitti Piazza de' Pitti 23r. Tel. 055 28 21 27
Neri Via dei Fossi 55-57r. Tel. 055 29 21 36	Romanelli Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli 74r. Tel. 055 239 66 62	Ugo Poggi Via degli Strozzi 26r. Tel. 055 21 67 41
Ugolini Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli 66-70r. Tel. 055 28 49 69

Gifts

Florence is a treasure trove for unusual gifts and souvenirs. Via de' Guicciardini and the area between Piazza di Santa Croce and Piazza della Signoria are good places to look for gifts.
Housed in a converted wine cellar, Signum has postcards, posters and prints, and items such as miniature shop models and tiny packs of cards. Mandragora in Piazza del Duomo has a wide choice of gifts based on famous artworks in the city, while the renowned Pineider has upmarket stationary and office gifts in leather, linen and paper.
For locally made terracotta and decorative glazed ceramics visit Sbigoli Terracotte. La Bottega dei Cristalli has Murano glass kitchenware, chandeliers and decorative objects. Passamaneria Valmar sells decorative key and curtain tassels, tapestries and soft furnishings in silks and wools,

while Lisa Corti Home Textile Emporium, tucked away behind the Ponte Vecchio, has hand-printed cotton throws, bedcovers and cushions as well as a range of children's clothes and pottery.

La Bottega dei Cristalli Via dei Benci 51r. Tel. 055 234 48 91	Lisa Corti Home Textile Emporium Via de' Bardi 58. Tel. 055 264 56 00	Mandragora Piazza del Duomo 9. Tel. 055 29 25 59
Passamaneria Valmar Via Porta Rossa 53r. Tel. 055 28 44 93	Pineider Piazza della Signoria 13r. Tel. 055 28 46 55	Sbigoli Terracotte Via Sant'Egidio 4r. Tel. 055 247 97 13
Signum Borgo dei Greci 40r. Tel. 055 28 06 21

Books And Paper

The main bookshops in Florence are Feltrinelli International, which sells publications in various languages, and Edison, which stocks magazines, maps, books in English as well as coffee-table photography books, and also houses a café. Paperback Exchange has an extremely wide selection of new and second-hand books in English.
Typical Florentine crafts include bookbinding and handmade marbled paper, which is used to decorate a variety of gift objects. These are easily available at Giulio Giannini, Il Papiro and Il Torchio, where bookbinding can be seen in action on the balcony workshop.

Edison Piazza della Repubblica 27r. Tel. 055 21 31 10	Feltrinelli International Via Cavour 12-20r. Tel. 055 21 95 24	Giulio Giannini Piazza de' Pitti 37r. Tel. 055 21 26 21
Paperback Exchange Via delle Oche 4r. Tel. 055 29 34 60	Il Papiro Piazza del Duomo 24r. Tel. 055 28 16 28	Il Torchio Via de' Bardi 17. Tel. 055 234 28 62

Food And Wine

Those shopping for food should go to Pegna, a mini-supermarket in the heart of Florence that stocks fresh, as well as vast selection of gourmet foods. The Bottega dell'Olio has shelves of extra virgin Tuscan olive oils, spice-flavoured oils and gifts. For typically British items such as teas and specialty foods go to Old England Stores.
Dolceforte sells chocolate souvenirs in the shape of the Duomo and the statue of David. A huge selection of biscuits and chocolates fills the front half of Alessi, while at the back and in the cellar are fine wines, spirits and liqueurs. Another good place to buy wine is Zanobini, where you can mix with the locals and sample the wines. At Procacci in Via de' Tornabuoni, shoppers can stop for a glass of wine and a canapé while choosing between pots of black or white truffles and other delicacies to take away.

Alessi Via delle Oche 27r. Tel. 055 21 49 66	Bottega dell'Olio Piazza del Limbo 2r.	Dolceforte Via della Scala 21. Tel. 055 21 91 16
Old England Stores Via de' Vecchietti 28r. Tel. 055 21 19 83	Pegna Via dello Studio 26r. Tel. 055 28 27 01	Procacci Via de' Tornabuoni 64r. Tel. 055 21 16 56
Zanobini Via Sant'Antonino 47r. Tel. 055 239 68 50

Florence's Markets

Florence's central street market is the Mercato di San Lorenzo, which caters mostly for tourists. Nearby, in Via dell'Ariento, is the covered Mercato Centrale, the city's main food market. The Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio also has fresh fruit and vegetables stalls, as well as clothing and household goods.
Beneath the 16th century Loggia del Porcellino, is the Mercato Nuovo, or Straw Market, which sells leather goods and souvenirs. On Tuesday mornings, there is an enormous market at the Parco delle Cascine with cheap clothing, shoes and food.

The Mercato delle Pulci is a flea market, selling antiques and bric-a-brac. Garden enthusiasts might want to check out the Mercato delle Piante held on Thursday mornings under the porticoes of Via Pellicceria, selling flowers, houseplants and herbs.
Occasional markets spring up in Piazza Santa Croce and Piazza Santa Maria Novella, notably the German gift market in the weeks before Christmas and the monthly antiques market in Piazza Santo Spirito.

Mercato Centrale	Mercato Nuovo	Mercato delle Piante
Mercato delle Pulci	Mercato di San Lorenzo	Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
Parco delle Cascine	Piazza Santo Spirito

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