548 Best Places to Shop in Italy

A tiny bottega near Campo San Polo is run by a team of young goldsmiths and jewelry designers specializing in inlaid stones and mosaic tesserae. The work on display in their shop is exceptional, and they also create customized pieces. They are planning to offer a series of "experiences," either as demonstrations, or to guide you in designing, decorating, and even making an original piece.

The sculpted walnut-wood oarlocks (forcole) used exclusively by Venetian rowers may be utilitarian, but they are beautiful, custom-made objects that make for uniquely Venetian gifts or souvenirs. Saverio Pastor is one of the few remaining oar and forcola makers left in Venice.

A long-established treasure trove of unusual books, historic prints, and quirky postcards spills out of this crammed bookshop onto the pretty campo by the Miracoli church. Chat with friendly owner Claudio Vascon about your interests and he may dig out a fascinating antiquarian volume from his nearby storeroom.

Venetian perfumier The Merchant of Venice took over this historic bookshop, so it's not only a good stop for books in English, especially guidebooks and books on Venetian culture and food, but there's also an olfactory room where you can "browse" herbs used for perfumes as well as sign up for perfume creation courses. Studium is also particularly strong on English-language fiction with Italian, mostly Venetian, settings and themes.

You won't run out of vacation reads thanks to this shop's browseworthy selection of English-language books.

Fine antique print and book aficionados will fall in love with this gem of a store run by the extremely knowledgeable Luca Zentilini. His focus is on Venetian culture and limited editions, with special interest in illustrated books from the 18th century. A large selection of Venetian maps are on offer, as well as etchings by masters including Tiepolo.

Synonymous with Florentine embroidery, this shop sells luxury lace, linens, and lingerie that have earned the eponymous signora worldwide renown. There's also beautiful (and expensive) clothing for children.

Complete your winter wardrobe with a pair of high-quality leather gloves, available in a rainbow of colors and a choice of linings (silk, cashmere, and unlined), from Madova. It's been in business for more than 100 years.

Lebanese designer and artist Gilbert Halaby was featured in fashion magazines like Vogue and created jewelry for Lady Gaga before giving up the rat race and opening his own shop, where the ethos is all about slow fashion. His boldly colored leather handbags incorporate suede, python, fringe, raffia, or jeweled handles, and his silk scarves are printed with his original watercolors, some of which are also on sale. The small, homey boutique—with a velvet sofa and lots of books, plants, and art by Halaby himself—is mainly open by appointment. But try passing by and ringing the bell; if Gilbert is there, he might just invite you in for coffee or Campari.

To see more of glassmaking's artistic side, visit this gallery-shop that highlights works from international contemporary glass artists.

Artists Maddalena Venier and Alessandro Salvadori of Materialmente envision "balancing the precious with the everyday." They succeed with a fascinating collection of fanciful, light-as-air sculpture, lamps, jewelry, and housewares.

For food lovers, people-watchers, or anyone interested in the lively local scene, the immensely popular market in this huge square to the north of town is not to be missed. Outdoors, the keepers of hundreds of vegetable stands vie with one another to create the most appetizing displays. Indoors, the meat vendors provide an equally tantalizing array of local products, while the fishmongers proudly display the fresh catch of the day.

It's possible to strike gold at this lively market, where clothing stalls abut those with fruits and vegetables.

Under the Salone there's an impressive food market where shops sell choice salami and cured meats, local cheeses, wines, coffee, and tea. With the adjacent Piazza delle Erbe fruit and vegetable market, you can pick up all the makings of a fine picnic. On weekends and public holidays, the buzzy piazza is often filled with a cornucopia of street food options, as well as wine and beer stalls, many run by the makers themselves.

Lorenzo will be more than happy to assist you in exploring the broad selection of wines from across the region, the entire Italian landscape, and beyond. You'll also find liquors and brandies, lovely bubblies, and even a few microbrews.

You'll find Murano-made glassworks, including glasses, vases, chandeliers, mirrors, and sculptures, in this friendly family-owned shop.

Exquisite earrings, rings, necklaces, and brooches are studded with diamonds, rubies, or emeralds in this shop owned by the Nardi family since the 1920s.

Fascinating emporium run by the amiable antiques dealer Giorgio and family, specializing in procuring and selling exquisite jewelry and precious objects for the home since 1968. Even if you don't purchase one of their choice pieces, it's worth exploring the ever-changing collection of rings, bracelets, artworks, vases, and clocks.

The essence of a Florentine holiday is captured in perfumes, candles, and sachets at this cathedral-like emporium of herbal cosmetics and soaps that are made following centuries-old recipes created by friars. See a wire cutter used to make soap in the 19th century, a library of elixirs, and temporary exhibits that will make you feel like you're in a museum rather than the original shop of a brand that's now global.

This historic food market is still the daily shopping center for residents of Ortigia and mainland Siracusa. Seafood stalls display the catch of the day, ranging from local clams that you'll find in most restaurants to sea urchins that normally only appear on the more expensive menus. Even in the colder months, the vegetable and fruit stalls are still vibrant and inviting. One thing to look out for is the local Pachino tomato. It has protected status and can be found fresh, dried, or reduced to a gloriously intense thick paste called strattu, dried in the sun, which adds fantastic deep flavors to soups and pasta sauces. Intertwined within the stalls are several local bars where you can rest and take in the hustle and bustle of local Italian food culture. The market is open every day except for Sunday, from 7 am to 1:45 pm.

Beginning behind the Fontana Amenano at the corner of Piazza Duomo and spreading westward between Via Garibaldi and Via Transito, this is one of Italy's most memorable markets. It's a feast for the senses, with ricotta, fresh produce, endless varieties of meats, thousands of just-caught fish (some still wriggling), plus a symphony of vendor shouts to fill the ears. The market is at its best in early morning and finishes up around 1 pm. It's open every day except Sunday.

The world's oldest glass company, founded in 1295, still produces exquisite—and expensive—chandeliers and lamps.

Paolo Brandolisio's workshop is a lofty tribute to his craft; this is where Brandolisio apprenticed with his famous mentor, Giuseppe Carli (spot photos of him and a youthful Paolo dotting the walls). Gondoliers' oars await pickup, piled underneath the skylight; you can purchase a tiny hand-carved oarlock as a very special souvenir.

Renaissance goldsmiths provide the inspiration for this dazzling jewelry with a contemporary feel. There is another branch in the San Lorenzo district.

If you're looking for an authentic Venetian mask, this is the place to go. Owner Stefano and his talented team of artists create exquisite handmade masks that can be custom ordered if you don't see what you want, as well as shipped worldwide.

This fascinating shop stocks antique jewelry from Europe and Asia, along with stunning Venetian glass beads.

A particularly delicious version of buccellato—the sweet, anise-flavored bread with raisins that is a Luccan specialty—is baked at Pasticceria Taddeucci.

This shop has been selling both Italian and non-Italian food since 1860. If you're tired of mozzarella and feel the need for some cheddar, this is the place to find it.

Looking for some cheddar cheese to pile in your panino? Pegna has been selling both Italian and non-Italian food since 1860.

It's possible to break the bank at what might be the best salumeria in Florence. Perini sells prosciutto, mixed meats, sauces for pasta, and a wide assortment of antipasti (starters).