There’s a lot of reasons to visit Tuscany, and shopping is definitely one of them.
From bags, shoes and jewels, to terracotta vases and hand-decorated pottery, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your money here. Read our introduction to the best shopping in Tuscany, and get your wallet ready!
Best Shopping in Tuscany – Outlets near Florence
For fashion victims the Tuscan outlets are a must-see: The Mall near Florence is the absolute highlight if you’re looking for luxury brands, with Prada and Gucci stealing the show, or the Barberino Designer Outlet with an eye-watering variety of 200 shops.
Shopping in Florence – Luxury brands and leather
If you have more money than sense, Via Tornabuoni in Florence is the Renaissance’s answer to 5th Avenue. In this elegant street Bulgari, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo and Tiffany compete for attention, and your money.
Florence is definitely the top destination for shoppers. You could easily spend a week in town visiting its fabulous shops and markets. But shopping in Tuscany doesn’t have to drain your finances. For smaller pockets there’s the Porcellino Market and San Lorenzo Market where you can find anything from key-rings to leather jackets, belts or bags and cheap and cheerful T-shirts. If you head to Borgo San Lorenzo street you’ll find a good concentration of reasonably priced shoe shops.
Shopping for food and wine – A taste of Tuscany
Once your bags are full, leave space for a real taste of Tuscany. The San Lorenzo Food Market in Florence Mercato Centrale is a one-stop shop for typical Tuscan delicacies: from sauces and pasta, to salumi and cheeses – Don’t worry, they’ll vacuum pack them for you.
Check out the local markets and the delicatessens. There are plenty in every town, even the smallest ones. Local wine like Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino could also make perfect souvenirs. You’ll find a variety of enoteche and wine shops to choose from (many organise the shipment), and every supermarket has a great choice of wines.
⇒ See some Great Gifts inspired by Tuscany for under 50€ !
Shopping in Siena and Lucca
Siena is another great place for shopping in Tuscany. It has a good selection of Italian brands, boutique shops and plenty of places where you can buy pottery, souvenirs and food specialities. One such place is Pasticceria Nannini where you’ll find the typical Sienese treats, ricciarelli and panforte.
If you’re in Lucca, check out the shops along Via Fillungo and surrounding areas.
Where to buy Antiques in Tuscany
If your house just can’t do without an antique bronze sculpture or a handcrafted wooden frame, head to Oltrarno in Florence, or to Arezzo with its unique concentration of home and antique shops. The first Saturday of every month Arezzo hosts a popular antiques market.
Pottery shopping – bring home some Tuscan colour
Pottery and ceramic shops are everywhere, offering designs that range from the traditional to the more contemporary.You’ll find lots of ceramic shops in Florence, especially in the area around Santa Croce Square, but also in Siena, San Gimignano, Greve in Chianti, Cortona and Montelupo where there’s an interesting Ceramics Museum. Head to the small town of Impruneta to find terracotta products in all shapes and sizes.
Gold and silver – From the Ponte Vecchio to Arezzo
Gold and silver jewellery are highlights of a Tuscan shopping experience. Starting with the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, where goldsmiths and silversmiths have been trading their creations since the Renaissance, there’s a daunting array of jewellery shops in most pockets of Florence. Arezzo is another good place to find jewellery, and it has a long tradition of goldsmithing too. For jewellery with Etruscan inspiration head to Volterra.
Alabaster, the white and translucent stone used for vases and ornaments, is the speciality of artisans in Volterra and San Gimignano.
Tuscan Textiles – Quality and traditional designs
If you’re looking to bring a bit of Tuscan texture to you home, there are some amazing textile shops to be found in practically every town. Especially in Florence but also in Siena, Arezzo, Anghiari and San Gimignano where historic shops with top quality goods can be found. You can choose from very simple designs, inspired by Tuscan country homes, in cotton or linen, or opt for some elaborate embroidery.
