FLORENCE SHOPPING GUIDE: MARKETS, LEATHER, CRAFTS, FOOD...

These Florence shopping tips for Florence Markets, Leather, Crafts and Food (by Jenifer Howard Forneris and Cristina Jacomelli) are a wonderful start to discovering the city of Florence.
» Florence Markets
» Florence Leather
» Florentine Crafts
» Food Shopping

Traditional Florence Markets

Mercato di San Lorenzo

Type: from leather crafts to clothing and accessories
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo, Via dell'Ariento and nearby streets
Note: between November and March, it opens from 9:00am to 8:00pm; between March and November, it opens until 7:30pm and closes Monday.

Mercato Centrale

Type: fresh food and produce market: from meats, cheeses, fish, to all kinds of vegetables and other.
Address: it is inside the Mercato di San Lorenzo, in Piazza del Mercato Centrale - Via dell'Ariento.
Note: it is located in a beautiful art nouveau structure and is worth the visit. From mid-September to mid-June, it opens from 7:00am to 2:00pm, from Monday to Friday, and until 5:00pm on Saturday, from mid-June to mid-September, it closes Sunday.

Mercato del Porcellino (also called Nuovo or della Paglia)

Type: crafts and others such as accessories
Address: Loggiato del Porcellino, Via Porta Rossa and Via Calimala.
Note: it used to sell many articles in straw ("paglia"). From November to March, it opens from 9:00am to 7:30pm and closes Monday; from March to November, it opens until 8:00pm.

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio

Type: fresh produce, clothing and articles for the house (outside the building)
Address: Piazza Ghiberti.
Note: it is located inside and outside and XVIII century building. It opens from 7:00am to 2:00pm and closes Sunday.

Mercato delle Pulci

Type: various articles from crafts to antiquities
Address: Piazza dei Ciompi.
Note: here you should have some time to find what you like most, among many curious, interesting and also common items. From November to March, it opens from 9:00am to 7:30pm and closes Monday; from March to November it opens until 8:00pm.

Mercato delle Piante e dei Fiori

Type: plants and flowers
Address: Loggiato di Via Pellicceria.
Note: from December to February, it opens Thurdays from 7:00am to 8:30pm; in March, April, September and November, it opens from 6:30am to 8:00pm, and in May and August, it opens from 6:00am to 7:30pm.

Mercatone delle Cascine

Type: "bancarelle" (stalls and booths) of almost everything.
Address: Viale Lincoln.
Note: it opens only Tuesdays: in Winter, from 8:00am to 2:00pm and in Summer, from 7:00am.

Arti e Mestieri d'Oltrarno

Type: Italian and ethnic craftsmanship
Address: Piazza Santo Spirito and Borgo Tegolaio.
Note: it opens the second Sunday of every month, except July and August, from 9:00am to 7:00pm.

Local Markets

Type: "bancarelle" of almost everything
Address: they are located in each district of Florence
Note: from Monday to Saturday, from 7:00am to 2:00pm.

Market of Free Artisans and Craftsmen (of Piazza dei Ciompi)

Type: arts and crafts
Address: Garden of Piazza dei Ciompi.
Note: from Monday to Saturday, standard time; it closes July.

Fortezza Antiquaria

Type: antiquities
Address: Garden of the Fortezza da Basso.
Note: it opens every third week-end of the month.

Disclaimer: this information is provided for Casa Howard guests use only. All content on this website is owned by New Guests Limited and falls under copyright laws.