With so much focus on popular Italian shopping destinations such as Milan and Rome shopping trips to Florence face some serious competition, but as the birthplace of many fashion design firms and the home of some of the best artwork in the world, Florence does not disappoint. With three main destinations for high street fashion shopping, and many open air markets, visitors on shopping trips to Florence will not go away empty-handed.
As the birthplace of the House of Gucci, travellers will know that Florence takes its fashion design seriously. Snag the freshest designs on your shopping trip at Via Tornabuoni, known as the city's miracle mile. Fill your bags in the centre of haute couture with cutting edge fashions of Prada and Versace before peering around the corner of Via della Vigna Nuova to find shops for Dolce e Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli - just make sure you've left enough room in your travelling cases!
The renaissance city of Florence is well-known internationally for its many markets, where you can shop for anything from fruits and vegetables to high-grade textiles and leather products. On shopping trips to Piazza San Lorenzo, you can find a number of must-have items, and usually at very reasonable prices. Leather goods are a specialty of the city, and travellers on shopping trips to Florence may also be able to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs in the city centre market. On Via dell'Ariento, you'll find Florence's Mercato Centrale, where vendors sell the freshest produce and delicious food in the Tuscan tradition. For those on a trip to find the ultimate bargain, or shopping for forgotten treasures, try Florence's flea market at Piazza dei Ciompi - there's no telling what you'll find on a trip to Mercato delle Pulci!
Built in medieval times as a crossing for the River Arno, Ponte Vecchio - literally 'old bridge' - now houses a number of shops selling a wide range of goods. Visit one of the jewellers on the bridge for the perfect gift on romantic breaks to Florence or shop for artwork on your trip from the many dealers there. For more designer-label fashions, sniff out a deal by shopping at The Mall, where you may find reduced prices on your favourite brands just 30 minutes outside of Florence by car.
