283 Best Places to Shop in Italy

Situated in the heart of the city, this seven-story building holds stores by international brands like Tiffany and Manolo Blahnik, with some of the best in men's and women's fashion and accessories. There's also a café, food store, and bistro here.

Shoe lovers with a passion for minimalist design flock to Fausto Santini to get their hands on his nerdy-chic footwear with its statement-making lines. Santini has been in business since 1970 and caters to a sophisticated, avant-garde clientele looking for elegant, classic shoes with a kick and a rainbow color palette. An outlet at Via Cavour 106, named for Fausto's father, Giacomo, sells last season's shoes at a big discount.

Part of the Tod's empire, Fay carries women's and men's clothes and accessories at its flagship store, designed by the famed American architect Philip Johnson.

Fendi has been a fixture of the Roman fashion landscape since "Mamma" Fendi first opened shop with her husband in 1925. With an eye for crazy genius, she hired Karl Lagerfeld, who began working with the group at the start of his career. His furs and runway antics made him one of the most influential designers of the 20th century and brought international acclaim to Fendi. Although the atelier, now owned by the Louis Vuitton group, still symbolizes Italian glamour, it's also gotten new life in the Italian press for its "Fendi for Fountains" campaign, which included funding the restoration of Rome's Trevi Fountain, and for moving its global headquarters to a striking Mussolini-era building known as the "square Colosseum" in the city's EUR neighborhood. The flagship store in Rome is on the ground floor of Palazzo Fendi. Upper floors contain the brand's seven private suites (the first ever Fendi hotel), and the rooftop is home to Zuma, a modern Japanese restaurant with an oh-so-cool bar that has sweeping views across the city.

This classy institution, in a 13th-century palazzo, displays designer clothing and accessories, though elegant footwear still underlies the Ferragamo success.

Shops selling Nativity scenes cluster along the Via San Gregorio Armeno off Spaccanapoli, and they're all worth a glance. The most famous is Ferrigno. Although Maestro Giuseppe Ferrigno died in 2008, the family business continues, still faithfully using 18th-century techniques.

The influential collector Maurizio Morra Greco mounts shows by emerging artists in the recently renovated 15th-century Palazzo Caracciolo di Avellino.

Fratelli Rossetti is an old-world company with modern aspirations. Although known for its classic leather mens' and womens' loafers, some of its recent offerings are slightly more playful, with oversized tassels, say, or contrasting colors. It also has lines of leather sandals and sneakers.

Always timeless and luxurious, sometimes colorful or even playful—there is nothing like Frette's bed collections. The retailer has been a leader in sumptuous linens and towels for the home and the hotel industry since 1860, and sinking into its sophisticated cotton, satin, percale, or silk sheets is the perfect way to end the day. Complete your bedtime experience with pajamas and a gorgeous silk robe.

Furla very well might be the best deal in Italian leather, selling high-quality purses and wallets at comparatively affordable prices. There are multiple locations throughout the Eternal City (including one at Fiumicino Airport), but its flagship store is in the heart of Piazza di Spagna. Be prepared to fight your way through crowds of passionate handbag lovers, all anxious to possess one of the delectable bags, wallets, or whimsical key chains in trendy sherbet hues or timeless bold color combos.

The shop carries bags at surprisingly accessible prices.

Paolo Fattori and his wife, Luisa, handcraft exquisite, one-of-a-kind bags and other leather accessories at this one-room store and workshop.

If you're shopping for elegant cashmere, look no further. This Genoese-based company has been making scarves, dresses, and sweaters (among other things) for men and women since 1885.

If you're the type who dares to be different and prefers funky statement clothes and accessories, you'll love the edgy selection here. Look for classy, avant-garde men's and women's styles by A-list designers that include Gaultier, Westwood, Issey Miyake, and Yamamoto.

This smart store in the Marina neighborhood holds a cornucopia of original and eye-catching artifacts inspired by traditional Sardinian arts and crafts, but with an original modern slant. Particularly appealing are the vividly colored ceramics, woven and wooden goods, elegant handbags, and highly stylized sheep and bulls sculptures. Ask about shipping items home.

This gorgeous covered shopping arcade on the Piazza Colonna was envisioned in the late 19th century but not built until the 20th and finally opened to the public in 1922. Housed under a brilliant stained-glass ceiling, separate neoclassical-style storefronts sell some of Italy's most interesting brands. It's worth a visit just to marvel at the unique building.

With carved and gilded late-Baroque and Empire period furniture and paintings culled from the noble houses of Italy's past, Galleria Benucci is a literal treasure trove. An establishment favored by professionals from Europe and abroad, this conservative gallery next to a former sculpture studio has an astonishing selection of objects in a hushed atmosphere where connoisseurs will find the proprietors only too happy to discuss their latest finds.

Opened in 1959, the upscale Galleria houses many of the fashion giants, including Armani, Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Tod's.

Marina Abramović, Anselm Kiefer, and Vanessa Beecroft are among international artists represented by this gallery.

The gallery exhibits the works of international artists of the caliber of Rebecca Horn and William Eggleston.

Known for their luxe and colorful striped socks, Gallo also carries casual wear and accessories for men, women, and kids.

A small alleyway leading off the side of the Gesù Nuovo toward Via Toledo hides a little-known jewel that is worth the detour: Gallucci, founded in 1890, specializes in fruit-filled chocolates (cherry and grape are memorable) and a delightfully original local cult item: chestnuts filled with marsala. It also produces the most fantastically packaged Easter eggs—all with huge silver or gold bows—that you are ever likely to see.

Chocolate lovers will be relieved to know that Gay-Odin, Naples's most famous cioccolateria, has nine stores around town, all recognizable by their inviting dark-wood Art Nouveau decor; try the signature chocolate forest cake (foresta) or the unusual "naked" chocolates (nudi), a suave mixture of chestnuts and walnuts, some with a whole coffee bean wrapped in the center.

Florence's king of coral, Gherardi has the city's largest selection of finely crafted pieces, as well as cultured pearls, jade, and turquoise.

A true luxury destination, Gio Moretti carries everything from designer gowns to books on design and architecture.

Tired of Sorrento's coral and cameos? A trendier alternative is this jewelry shop with classics by Pomellato, DoDo, Bulgari, and many others.

The sleek, classic boutique Giorgio Armani is a centerpiece of the dazzling high-end shops clustered in this part of town.

Find Armani's apparel and accessories for both men and women in the brand's newest boutique.

One of the most influential designers of Italian haute couture, Giorgio Armani creates fluid silhouettes and dazzling evening gowns with sexy peek-a-boo cutouts; his signature cuts are made with the clever-handedness and flawless technique achievable only by working with tracing paper and Italy's finest fabrics over the course of a lifetime. His menswear collection uses traditional textiles like wide-ribbed corduroy and stretch jersey in nontraditional ways while staying true to a clean, masculine aesthetic. The iconic Italian brand has an Emporio Armani shop on Via del Babuino, but the flagship store is the best place to find pieces that range from exotic runway-worthy masterpieces to more wearable collections emphasizing casual Italian elegance with just the right touch of whimsy and sexiness.