Shopping in Tuscany

The region of Tuscany offers something for everyone, from big cities and cultural centers like Florence to sprawling vineyards and small towns in the hills. Famous the world over for its rich artistic legacy as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany is also well known for its culture and beautiful natural landscapes. The home and birthplace of such luminaries as Puccini, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante, Tuscany is a land rich with history and fantasy. There is so much to see and do in the area, including some great shopping.

 

 

Typical Products

The region of Tuscany is famous for many things including its wine, the most famous of which is the Chianti. Agriculture is still widely prevalent in the region and cultivation of grapes, olives, vegetables and cereals continues to this day. Tuscany is also known for its textile industry, glass and ceramic products and its handicrafts. The region is also well known for its footwear and leather products.

One can’t visit Tuscany and not try the mouth watering regional cuisine including locally made olive oil from Pendolino, Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo olives. If you happen to be in the area during October and November you should try the amazing white truffles the region produces.

If food shopping in Tuscany don’t forget to sample the many types of local breads like Carsenta Lunigianese, which is baked on chestnut leaves and is usually served on Good Friday. Other famous breads include Donzelle, Fiandolone, Pan Maoko and Ciaccia.

 

Outdoor Shopping in Tuscany

Like many regions in Italy, there are several good outdoor markets and flea markets to be found in Tuscany. Every month the town of Arezzo holds a flea market in the Piazza Grande, which is known to be one of the best in Italy. This large market looks almost like a furniture museum. Don’t worry if you’re not looking to buy–browsing is just as fun! If in Florence on the third weekend of the month you should check out the famous Straw Market, or Mercato Nuovo, held at the Loggia del Porcellino (Piazza del Mercato Nuovo).

In the town of Lucca, a large market is held on the third weekend of every month. Visitors can find plenty of furniture items, antique ceramics, and traditional handmade lace. Every Wednesday in the Piazza Marconi a market is also held, which is ideal for purchasing clothing and cashmere products.

In the town of Prato every September, Christmas and the Saturday before Easter there is a large market in Piazza del Comune where visitors can browse through linens and antique books. In Porto Santo Stefano, visitors will find a beautiful seaside market in April, July and August where furniture items and various other products collected from cruise ships and boats are sold. Other markets worth visiting are also held in Cortono and Pistoia.

 

Shopping in Florence

Florence is a shopper’s paradise. The city is well known for its many shopping venues and chic boutiques, however, if you are looking for bargains then you should head outside the city. About 45 minutes from Florence in Leccio there is a designer outlet center known as The Mall. The stores in the area include Gucci, Tod’s, Armani, AX Jeans, Ferragamo, Fendi, and Burberry and all sell products at reduced costs.

If you prefer to stay within the city then Florence will not disappoint. Walk along the Ponte Vecchio to buy gold and silver jewelry or head to Via Tornabuoni and Via Vigna Nuova for the designer boutiques. There are also several great shops in the Piazza Santa Croce. Here one can buy gilded wooden trays–which sell for triple the price in North America–and well priced leather goods including purses, photo albums and journals.

Visitors to Oltarno will be delighed with the selection of unique shops and sights. This area is known for its artisans and vendors and can be reached by crossing the Ponte Vecchio.

Shopping in Pisa

In the city of Pisa the main shopping area is located at Corso Italia between Via Borgo Stretto and Ponte di Mezzo. The area located around the main city center and Leaning Tower is very touristy in nature. There are plenty of small souvenir shops and merchants that sell plenty of Leaning Tower souvenirs, but these are very pricey and its best not to purchase anything from that area.

In Pisa twice a month there is an outdoor market where visitors can purchase old decorative items, records and inexpensive books. Pisa is also famous for its delicious cookies, or biscotti, so visitors should definitely try them at one of the many bakeries of the city.

Shopping in Siena

In picturesque Siena visitors can purchase some incredible handicrafts and local artifacts that are unique to the city. Beautiful ties, paper, fabrics, terracotta, gold jewelry, tapestries and wine are all produced locally in Siena. Via di Città is the main street of the city and has plenty of good shops selling bags, purses and leather items. Look out for popular Siena-based brands like Intimissimi, Upim, Benetton and Furla.

For those who prefer outdoor shopping every Wednesday there is a large local market held close to Fortezza Mediceana.

Visitors looking for food products can find good quality wine, olive oil and cheese in Siena. The Montestigliono Olive estate is located close to the city and visitors can visit the local olive groves to purchase bottles of extra virgin olive oil. The beautiful estate also features a large courtyard where guests can stop and enjoy a glass of wine.

The region of Tuscany is world famous for its history, culture and beauty; it also the perfect place to visit if you love to shop. The quality and type of shopping available depends on the area that you are visiting, but Tuscany certainly offers something for everyone.

Shopping Outlet in Tuscany

Clothes, Sports shops, Accessories, Shoe shops, House & Home, Gastronomy, Lingerie shops

*All shops closed on Sundays unless otherwise indicated
Toscana

Clothes

Conte of Florence
Via di Limite, 170
Tel 055-8969484
Campi Bisenzio (Fi)
Conte of Florence
Sun-Fri 1030-7 Closed Mon
Save 40-70%

Sportswear! Known by skiers, as they will sponsor the national teams of; Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Canada Lichtenstein and Noriega, also produce golfing clothes and sailing.
You’ll find shelves of hunting caps and fleece in between: tops, and shoes. Jackets for men, women and children.

Cotton Belt
Via Provinciale Lucchese, 181
Tel 055-3022542
Osmannoro (Fi)
COTTON BELT
Mon-Fri 1-7 Saturdays 10-6
Save 50%

Casual and Sporty. Distributed by the Mistral group for men and women Best sellers of the previous season at half off. Jeans, and outfits, tie-dye t-shirts all sizes to 46 (12 usa).

Dolce & Gabbana
Località Santa Maria Maddelena, Pian dell’ Isola
Tel 055-8331300
Incisa Val d’Arno (Fi)
Dolce&Gabbana Sito Ufficiale – Collezione Autunno Inverno 2010
Mon-Sat. 10-8 Sundays 10-730
Highway A1 exit incise, SS69 direction Incisa Valdarno
Save 30-50%

Freeport
Via Roma, 41
Tel 0572-71134
Pieve a Fievole (Pt)
Wed-Sun 9-1 \ 330-730
Highway-Autostrada A11 exit Montecatini Terme
Save 30-50%

Freeport is licensed by Polo Ralph Lauren. Clothes for men, women and children-casual-chic. You may also find timberland and Guru.

Mac- Spaccio Malo
Via di Limite, 164
Tel.055-8731990
Campi Bisenzio (Fi)
Tues-Sun 1030-7
Highway A1 exit Prato-Calenzano; A11 exit Prato Ovest
Save 40%

For lovers of Cashmere here you can satisfy all of your “sfizi” whims!
Sweaters for him and her and articles for your home.

Roberto Cavalli*
Via Volturno 3 (Interno 3)
Tel 055-317754
Osmannoro-Sesto Fiorentino (Fi)
Roberto Cavalli:factory outlet spaccio aziendale
Mon-Saturday 10-7
Highway-Autostrada A1, exit Firenze Nord- then to Sesto Fiorentino
Save 30-50%

The shop carries the first line of Cavalli with famous outfits for evening, animalier tops, and coat with their notorious fur collars.
Accessories; necklaces, bracelets and belts.

Prada-Space Outlet
SS69, Loc. Levanella
Tel 055-9196528
Montevarchi (Ar)
Mon-Fri 10-7 Saturdays 930-730 Sundays 2-730
Take highway A1 exit; San Giovanni Valdarno. Continue to statale (interstate) 69 to MonteVarchi-Levane-After Levanella left toward the industrial zone
Save 10-50%

Leather goods, clothing for him and her, shoes and also the name brand Miu Miu (for juniors) you’ll find here.

Accessories

Marzotto Factory
Via Galileo Ferraris, 20
Tel 0575-333002
Arezzo
Mon-Fri 930-1 \ 3-7 Saturdays 930 \ 1 and 3-730 & 1st Sunday of the month
Save 40%

Sports accessories, shoes, boots, belts, and hats
You’ll find here these brand names; Borgofiori, Uomo Lebole, UI Trendy, UI Sport, Principe by Marzotto and Marlboro classic.

Shoes

Sax
Via della Querciola, 4
Tel 0571-247240
Fucecchio (Fi)
CALZATURIFICIO BARACCHINO – SAX SHOES
Mon-Fri 330-7 Saturdays 930-1230\ 330-7
Save 40%

For lovers of “SAX” the famous sportive shoes not always available in the shops!

House & Home

IVV
Lungarno Guido Reni, 60
Tel 055-942619
San Giovanni Valdarno (Ar)
www.ivvnet.it
Mon-Fri 9-1 \ 3-8 Sunday-third of the month 3-8
Highway A1 exit San Giovanni Valdarno
Save 50%

Welcome to the reign of color and transparency!
Specialized shop in glass objects per the home. You’ll find plates, glasses , vases, trays and more! Everything is high quality some hand blown, all are painted by hand.

Botteguccia Richard Ginori
Viale Giulio Cesare, 19
Tel 055-4210472
Sesto Fiorentino (Fi)
Richard Ginori 1735 S.p.A. | Corporate
Tues-Sat 9-1 \3-7 From December 1st-24th open everyday
Highway A1 exit Sesto Fiorentino, follow indications for the Museo Ginori
Save 50-60%

The bottom floor of a small Palazzo right next to the factory with direct sales of articles from the famous brand of porcelain by Richard Ginori. 50% discounts on previous-seasonal items.

La Porcellana Bianca
Località Casanuova di Ceciliano, 166
Tel 0575-320296
Arezzo
www.laporcellanabianca.it
Mon-Fri 3-6 Saturday 9-1 \ 3-6
Save 30-40%

The shop of gracious porcelain! The first porcelain shop opened in Milan in 1979, which distinguished the decorative excessively colored items from the style of the 70’s. They possess a catalogue with over 3,000 pieces displayed. Kitchen, textile for house and home.

Pratesi
Via Montalbano, 41
Tel 0573-526462
Ponte Stella-Serraville Pistoiese (Pt)
Pratesi
Mon-Sat 930-1230\ 230-7 Sundays 3-7
Highway A1 exit Pistoia, follow along for Vinci into the entrance of the shop
Save 50%
Shop which sells elegant and sophisticated linens for your home. They produce many items, including; table cloths and towels too.

The Mall
Via Europa, 8
Tel 055-8657775
Leccio,Reggello (Fi)
[email protected]
Mon-Sat 10-7
Highway A1 exit Inciso-Valdarno, follow to SS intestate 69 in the direction of Pontassieve until you reach Leccio
Save 35-50%

In the space once occupied by Gucci, is a twenty outlet mall with the most pretigious companies in the name of fashion. You’ll find most everything from shoes, leather and accessories Visitors come from all over Italy—though most are Japanese. All around the shops you’ll find restaurants and coffee bars. It is also connected to public transport at the station of Santa Maria Novella.

Brands available here; Armani, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo, Zegna, Fendi, Gucci, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni,Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Ross, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto

Barberino Designer Outlet*
Via Meucci, località Scopicci
Tel 055-842161
Barberino di Mugello (Fi)
www.mcarthurglen.it
Tues-Sun 10-9 Mondays 2-9 only in; January, June, July, August, Sept and December
Highway A1 exit Barberino di Mugello
Save 30-70%

Rivers of romantic bridges….drawers colored with airy colonnades; this is the entrance to the shop. A mere twenty minutes from Florence. This shop was taken by the British McArthurGlen. IF you are tired of shopping, there is a restaurant, coffee bar and bicycle rentals and go for a ride on the bike trails.

Brand names you’ll conquest here:
Adidas, Baldinini, Bose, Bottega Verde, Brooksfield, Bruno Magli,Calzedonia, Caractère, Carlo Pignatelli, CK, Clan International (Belstaff and Capalbio), Coccinelle, Corso Roma, Cotton Belt, Diffusione Tessile, Elena Miro, Fila, Lagostina, L’Altramoda, Les Copains, Robe di Kappa, Sergio Tacchini and others!

Valdichiana Outlet Village
Via Enzo Ferrari, 5
Tel 0575-649926
Forano della Chiana (Arezzo)
Valdichiana Outlet
Tues-Sun 10-8 Mondays 2-8
Save 30-70%
Highway A1 exit Valdichiana SP 327 Siena-Perugia, exit Bettole

Open in 2005, it’s a Borgo of shopping with 2,ooo mq Tuscan Style The architecture reflects the medieval centers of Valdichiana between Siena and Arezzo.
Inside you’ll find an assortment of 105 shops of the most important Italian enterprises. You’ll find Jewelery, clothes items for the home, gastronomy in good ole Siena-style, wine-tasting and cooking courses, and there is also a game park for the children.

Brands to expect: Americanino, Arfango, Ascot sport, Asics, Basile, Bata factory store, Bialetti, Sisley, Botticelli, Cè Bassetti, Dolomite, Gai Mattiolo, Casanova, Kappa, Kiko, Lindt, Mario Cerutti, Pienza, Parah, Superga, UnoAerre, Versace Couture, and many more!