The 14 best places for shopping in Florence

Florence’s main shopping hub is made of two key streets that bridge the iconic Duomo and the main square of Piazza della Signoria. On Via Roma, find high-end brands like Miu Miu, Armani and the paradise that is Luisa via Roma. With a history that dates back to 1930, the destination today is home to the latest designs by luxury labels, including Valentino and Fendi on its ground-floor showroom. Nearby, the La Rinascente department store has six floors dedicated to fashion and homewares with a roof terrace ideal for a post-shop spritz, while Via dei Calzaiuoli houses high street labels like Calzedonia. 

Over the river Arno, the Oltrarno district is famed for its artisan workshops, many of which are dotted along picturesque Via dei Serragli. Linen clothing at Vincent Croce  and leather goods at Quoio will keep any avid shopper busy. To cover all of your shopping bases, indulge in wonderfully curated vintage garms at Momo Vintage and Recollection by Albrici, and jewellery at Nokike Atelier.

Any shopper eyeing designer labels will come here to find the crème of the crop: Gucci, Pucci and Prada, to name a few. The pedestrianised street is elegant and calls for window-shopping while walking around. Be sure to pop into cosmetic store Olfattorio Bar a Parfums for a sensual experience and dive into the basement at Palazzo Spini Feroni, home to Ferragamo, for a history lesson in shoemaking since the 1920s.

The most authentic market in central Florence, Sant’Ambrogio Market is a vibrant and bustling produce market that takes place every Monday to Saturday mornings. Permanent vendors in the covered market sell delicious edible souvenirs - Tuscan olive oil, dried porcini mushrooms, turrone, truffle-infused everything - spilling out into a picturesque fruit and vegetable market outside. There are also vintage bargains to be had, with collectable crockery, clothing and jewellery on Thursdays and Saturdays. Nearby, continue shopping at Mercato delle Pulci flea market, or poke your head into Cibio for more high-end consumable goodies and homeware items. 

On a quaint cobbled lane just off via de’ Tornabuoni, you’ll discover bold contemporary jewellery by legendary local designer, Angela Caputi Giuffiù, neatly kept in velvet-lined drawers ready to be explored in Borgo Santi Apostoli. One street up, Biscottificio Antonio Mattei sells one thing and one thing only – biscuits. Some of the most iconic in Tuscany, these peacock-blue bags of biscotti and cantucci make for an excellent gift. A little further along the same street, watch the art of paper marbling at Riccardo Luci and pick up some handmade souvenirs. 

Extending south from Via de’ Tornabuoni towards the river Arno, Via della Vigna Nuova offers a heady collection of boutiques selling Florentine clothes, shoes and glasses.  At one end, you’ll find leather outlet Benheart, whose jackets, bags and accessories are made with true dedication by a Florence-based designer. For homewares, the acrylic glasses and bowls at Mario Luca Giusti are unique souvenirs to take home that will brighten up any room. Baroni sells adorably preppy clothing for babies and children.

Via della Spada has landed as a street worth exploring on all shopping lists only in recent years. Home to an ideal mix of fashion and homewares, peruse the sustainable and quirky offerings at MIO Concept Store.

Linking Palazzo Pitti to Porta Romana, stop by Muselab and Be Giuls for hand-stitched clothing, and John Rocket for t-shirts and Elinor Marianne for kitsch stationary and knick-knacksSdrucciolo de' Pitti is a quaint side street that connects Piazza de’ Pitti to Piazza Santo Spirito and is a worthy detour for the bold prints at Giulia Materia and Sicilian couture at Tiziana Alemanni alone. Anyone looking to take home a moka stovetop espresso maker or any other piece of Italian cooking equipment will enjoy perusing Ferramenta Berti.

Traditionally lined with antique stores, Via Maggio today offers a mix of street fashion between art shops lined with classic pieces tucked within the ground floors of Renaissance palaces. Dexter is the go-to for curated men’s and women’s wear. For statement jewellery, pop into Grimaldo directly opposite.

Heading east along the river Arno, you’ll discover the hand-crafted paper creations by Erin Ciulla at Il Torchio, a unique studio-cum-store lined with leather notebooks and marble effect paper. On Via di San Niccolò, the somewhat gothic jewellery atelier of Alessandro Dari is a curious mix of museum-like and take-it-home silver pieces. Perfume master Sileno Cheloni has opened his eponymous space inviting shoppers to create their own perfume during a private sitting, while bespoke shoes by Stefano Bemer are made by artisans within an old church workshop under the shadow of Torre San Niccolò.