Florence shopping

There are tons of street vendors by Mercado Centrale, an indoor food court and market (a must stop!). We purchased all of our souvenirs and gifts there. I purchased some great leather bookmarks for my book club gals, leather purses for my daughters, wallets for the sons and the coolest embossed leather writing book that my step-son adored. We had lunch at the Mercado with communal tables in the middle that make for a good environment for striking up a conversation with your neighbor.

Mercado Centrale absolutely! And two shops that I love (and in which I stop in at least once every year or two) are: Il Papiro (that's "eye ell" Papiro), which has several shops around town. Beautiful hand-made books, journals, papers, small boxes, and much more, many bound in their signature marbled papers. And my FAVORITE ceramics shop in town is La Botteghina del Ceramista. There are lots of ceramics shops in Florence, but La Botteghina only carries very carefully chosen works by certain artists - mostly from Deruta - who are truly masters. And - the best part - their price is often much better than shops more on the tourist main drag. I've discovered their pieces to be as good as any you will find in shops in Deruta, Orvieto, Siena. They are at via Guelfa 5r (head up via de Martelli from the Duomo/Baptistry two long blocks, then turn left on via Guelfa. In the first block).

Beware the fake logo'd merchandise that used to be--and I assume still is--available in some of the Italian street markets. The authorities have been enforcing trademarks and levying really painful fines on purchasers of fake sunglasses, leather goods, etc.

Hi Carolyn:

I went to the Santa Croce Leather school when I was in Florence. I bought a purse and jacket in 2002 and still use them to this day. Thy also have wonderful gloves, wallets and lipstick cases, key cases etc.

The Santa Maria Novella church has a Pharmacia attached to it that is several hundred years old. They have wonderful soaps, bath salts, perfumes, skin care items, plus lots more.
Both have website so take a look.

Barbara

Find a paper store and buy some Florentine paper. I would NEVER shop at the vendors surrounding the Mercado. It's like a carnival. They are pulling at you while you walk buy, offering basically JUNK from China or ? Each booth as the same crap in it. You can find that same stuff at home at Wally Mart, or the Dollar store, do not get sucked into it!

Inside the Mercado, you could find some oil or soap, etc. Also on the newer second floor, there are a couple of really nice shops. Eataly is fun, there are some cool food items you could bring back.

The market has beautiful leather gloves in many colors. I bought some in 2007 and went back a few weeks ago and bought two more pair. There are tons of other leather goods--not sure of the quality, but there are belts, handbags and jackets. There was a lot of jewelry and scarves as well. Some paper items. It is very fun. Surrounding the market there were some "stands" (using the term loosely) that I would avoid with the fake logo type merchandise.

It's Mercato, with a 't'.

Mercado, with a 'd', is Spanish.

Oh. I almost forgot, Pharmacy, is Farmacia, with an "F", not Pharmacia.

Tank you, tank you.

The good shops behind the market stalls also have stalls, not necessarily in front the their shops. There are a lot of quality goods in the markets. You can bargain in the shops as well as at the stalls. If you want quality, check for "made in Italy" labels. I bought really warm shearling gloves at a stall for €20 and wool-lined ones for €65 at a highly recommended (and expensive) shop just across the Ponte Vecchio in 2014. I still wear them both, though I prefer the shearling.