Many people plan shopping in Florence - the city of art and great creations of mankind. The Italian city has gathered all the advantages of other popular places where you can go shopping. The markets, outlets and boutiques of Florence provide a large assortment, as in Milan, not too high prices, as in San Marino, as well as a large number of souvenirs, as in any capital.
general information
Those who want to buy a lot of new things, but save money as much as possible, go shopping in Florence. At a low cost you can buy here:
- Fur and skin. In Italy and other European countries, fur coats and leather jackets have always been considered fashionable. Inexpensive shopping in Florence allows you to visit many shops and all kinds of stalls, where such products are presented in unimaginable quantities.
- Clothes and shoes. Small shops sell branded clothing and shoes at affordable prices.
- Antiques. Historians by profession, or just people who are fond of antiques, will certainly be interested in strolling through the antique and flea markets.
- Jewelry. Connoisseurs of expensive jewelry will be able to visit unique places where Florentine jewelers' workshops and shops selling products are located.
- Souvenirs. In each city, tourists buy traditional souvenirs in memory of the trip. Florence's shops offer Murano glass products, Venetian lamps, embroidered linen and soft, home-made napkins.
The most favorable time for shopping are considered periods of sale. At this time, the cost of the most popular goods is reduced by 60-70%. Shares are invariably arranged only twice a year and last for two months:
- from July 7 - summer discounts;
- from January 7 - winter.
Recommendations
Fashionistas who regularly shop in Florence, who have already become familiar with all the nuances, give sensible advice to beginners. In order not to get into a mess and visit the city with benefit, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- The first step is to clarify whether the bus goes to the desired shopping center. Some large outlets provide tourists with their own buses, which certainly will not get lost.
- If you have rights, you can rent a car to get around the city faster. Multi-brand malls are at a great distance from each other.
- There are a lot of people in all outlets, boutiques and shops during the sales seasons, so it is better to come to shopping in Florence on the third day, when there will be less people.
- In most boutiques, new products are imported on Fridays, but on Wednesday-Thursday the assortment will be small.
- It is necessary to set aside all day for the best shopping in Florence, since in a couple of hours you will not be able to cope here.
- Most of the shopping centers do not work during the holidays (August 8-21).
- Not knowing the city and the features of boutiques, you should choose shopping with a stylist. In Florence, this will not be a problem. The service involves accompanying a tourist with a professional who will help you choose the most suitable things and bypass scammers.
- When you see a discount of up to 90%, you should not immediately purchase a product, as it can simply be discounted due to poor quality. Unscrupulous merchants also exist here, as in any other country, and goods with serious defects are even present in the collections of world brands.
Favorite shops in Florence
One of the most beautiful cities in the world is considered Florence. Shopping, reviews of tourists about which there are various, are made not only by guests of the city, but also by local residents. The most preferred places for the inhabitants of Florence themselves are:
- BARONI. This store offers visitors to buy a glass bottle of Tuscan oil for only 18 euros. It is located right next to the Central Market of San Lorenzo.
- DINO BARTOLINI. The boutique located in Via Maurizio Bufalini presents an assortment of designer tableware. You can visit it any day of the week.
- ELISIR ECOPROFUMERIA. Perfume relics are on sale at 44R Via Pietrapiana, which the locals are crazy about. Along with wonderful aromas, you can buy marble sticks for 30 euros, as well as linden oil for 50 euros.
- LIBRERIA EDISON. The bookstore receives visitors daily until midnight. It sells black notebooks of famous brands worth about 10 euros, as well as historical novels and postcards with natural beauties. And this magnificent place is located on area 27R, Piazza della Repubblica.
- GALLERIA PONTE VECCHIO. The ceramic kingdom, located at 104R, Via Guicciardini, where the Florentines themselves recommend buying blue and yellow ceramics. Masters create goods with their own hands and present them to visitors. Anyone has the opportunity to go there and just look at the work of specialists.
These are the difficult shops in Florence. Shopping (reviews - direct confirmation of this) in this city is popular with people from different cities and countries. For every guest there are sure to be good gizmos for which itโs not at all a pity to give a few euros. And below are the places that are most interesting for tourists, as well as real reviews about them.
San Lorenzo Market
The largest in size, and most importantly - the most photogenic place in Florence is the San Lorenzo market. Here you can find exotic fruits and other food products that will certainly delight gourmets. The building was built in the 19th century, and all this time it was respected by all local residents and visiting guests of different nationalities.
The market is in the city center, near the Basilica of San Lorenzo. You wonโt be able to get there on Sunday and Monday, as these days are always considered holidays.
Reviews
Market shopping in Florence has different reviews. As in any market in Moscow, St. Petersburg or another city, there are always a lot of visitors crowding around the most interesting counters. But still, the Florentine market is visited by polite people with whom you can quickly find a common language. In addition to this advantage, tourists also highlight a wide selection of goods: food, clothing items, simple accessories and so on.
Shopping in Florence: Outlets
Many outlets accept payment cards. Some stores even have a rule: purchases worth more than 500 euros in cash are not paid. And the procedure for paying for goods is exactly the same as in ordinary shopping centers.
High-quality leather goods and accessories of fashion brands are available at outlets. Each guest also deserves attention of a collection of clothes and shoes of average cost.
Heading here for new things, you can guaranteed to replenish your own wardrobe with things from famous brands, but at the same time itโs nice to save some money. In addition, the outlets are distinguished by a convenient layout and arrangement of goods, so you can have time to buy the necessary things, and then go for a walk around the city or visit the museum. This advantage is especially appreciated by people who come to Florence for just a day.
Outlets are located on the territory of the city where items are sold at discounted prices throughout the year - all of which are listed below.
Barberino desinger outlet
Shopping in Florence by yourself can always be done in the largest outlet located in the small town of Barberino (30 kilometers from the city). Italians and fashionable women regularly come here from afar. In the outlet there are more than a hundred stores selling things of world brands (Adidas, Prada, Calvin Klein and many others).
You can easily get to the town by purchasing a ticket for a special bus route. The vehicle leaves the Fortezza da Basso stop and takes passengers to their destination quite quickly.
The outlet works from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Opinion of tourists
People are happy with the price level and constant discounts. Very often, visitors pay only a third of the total cost, which is practically not found in other shops of this type.
In addition, tourists are attracted by the opportunity to drink a cup of coffee or delicious hot chocolate, as well as try traditional pastries from the chef.
The mall outlet
No less popular place, located literally 30 minutes from Florence, where discounts often reach 70%. The complex contains about a hundred stores selling products of such brands as Armani, Valentino, Fendi and so on.
The price range directly depends on the season in which things were released from any collection. For example, here you can buy a wonderful leather handbag for only 300 euros or a luxurious high-quality cloak for 350 euros.
You can get to the outlet by bus for 5 euros, a minibus that selects all hotel guests for 3 euros, as well as a train for the same price or literally 5 minutes by taxi for 10 euros.
A multi-brand mall is open daily from 10 to 19 hours.
Comments
The only drawback that guests of the city note is inconvenient transportation. Since the cheapest option is a minibus, there are always a lot of people in it, which is why you have to feel in a compressed state for more than half an hour.
But upon arrival at the outlet, tourists are instantly charged with positive and energy. First of all, they visit the cafe, tasting the signature croissants from the chef and great hot drinks, and then go shopping.
Brand items are sold by professional consultants to help you choose the most suitable things. They answer all the questions posed in an accessible way, which is liked by absolutely all customers.
Valdichiana Outlet Village
The huge outlet, located 100 kilometers from the capital of Tuscany, represents the famous Italian brands located in 160 stores.
At reasonable prices you can buy home goods, jewelry, shoes, clothes, chic hats and other little things. Products from last year's collections are always sold at times cheaper.
You can get to the outlet only by train, arriving at Arezzo train station, after which you will need to change to a bus that will take passengers directly to the entrance to the building. In total, the trip will need to spend no more than 10 euros.
A multi-brand mall can be visited from 10 to 20 hours on any day of the week.
Guest reviews
Tourists note that in between shopping, you can distract and visit entertainment centers, bars, children's games, where there is always free space due to the large area. And at the end of the day you can taste wine, watch colorful shows and go home with a positive mood. Also, concert programs that were able to interest visitors were not left without attention. In these ideas, people learn something new for themselves and just relax after a hard day.