I'm hoping someone on this board can assist me. I'm looking for hours and days of operation for several popular markets in Florence. The problem I'm running into is, as I surf the web many different websites are listing different hours and days of operation so I'd love to know when these really take place! We will be in Florence on a Sunday and it also happens to be the last Sunday of the month in case that matters.

The ones I've been looking into are:

San Lorenzo
Straw Market
Mercato delle Pulci


If I've omitted one that you feel shouldn't be missed, pleaset let me know!

Many Thanks!

Hi Luv - Your most reliable source of info is the Tourist Office website, which has a section on markets:

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/content...34/lang,en_EN/

Hope this helps...

Steve

If you are referring to the food market at San Lorenzo, it is closed on Sundays as far as I know. The "straw market" is just stands selling all kinds of stuff to tourists; they should be open on Sundays in season.

I was actually interested in the main market for San Lorenzo. One of the online websites I checked said the food market is closed on Sunday but it lists San Lorenzo main market separately. It states that San Lorenzo main market is open everyday--regular shop hours. I wasn't quite sure what that means given that most shops are closed on Sunday and I'm not quite sure what "regular shop hours" means anyway.

I would guess that by San Lorenzo "main market" they might mean all the touristy stalls which are around the outside of the food market building.

The only markets I am really familiar with in Florence are the large food markets, including Sant' Ambrogio and San Lorenzo, which is also known as the Mercato Centrale. The 2-level interior, where the food stalls are, is open mornings only except for Saturday when it opens again in the afternoon. It is closed Sundays.

there is a big conglomeration of market stalls, around the San Lorenzo church - this is probably what you are thinking of. It was open all day, every day, when we were there last October. I found some very nice silk scarves here for only 5E each - no, they aren't liberty standard but they are still very cheap for what they are. Lots of leather and jewelry too, as well as the usual t-shirts, lewd underwear, etc.

The other main tourist market [also open evry day, I think] is south of the piazza della republica [on the main drag down to the ponte vecchio] by the statue of the boar. Lots of belts, bags, etc. etc.

Shop on the ponte vecchio at your own [and your handbag's] peril.

Good luck!