283 Best Places to Shop in Italy

Genial proprietor and bibliophile Franco Cioncolini presides at this small shop specializing in old books, old prints, and the occasional contemporary painting.

One of Florence's best art-book shops has an outstanding selection.

The zesty local lemon liqueur, limoncello, is made and sold here, as are exquisite chocolates, baked goods like panettone and Neapolitan-style roasted coffee. Not only can you observe the production process in the back of the tiny white shop, but you can also watch the owners paint designs on the pretty bottles.

The sisters who run this discreet store near the Spanish Steps were raised by their tailor father and developed a love of luxe fabrics early on. A fixture in Rome for nearly four decades, Lingerie D'Elia specializes in silky loungewear, and is rumored to be where Princess Diana shopped for made-in-Italy lace-trimmed nightgowns.

For something to wear for a night out, check out Liu-Jo.

Since 1825, several generations of the Calace family have contributed to this prestigious shop's reputation for exquisitely made mandolins. This is an active workshop, so phone ahead for an appointment.

The Neapolitan designer Livio de Simone was famous for his bright, printed-textile designs worn by 1950s and '60s celebrity femmes, and now his daughter Benedetta runs the still sexy line.

Established in 1830, Codevilla is known as one of the best jewelers in the city. They sell top-of-the-line watches and custom jewelry.

The surreal window displays hint at the trendy yet tasteful clothing inside this fascinating alta moda (high-style) boutique, which stocks the world's top designers as well as Luisa's own line.

This specialty food shop boasts an impressive array of sauces, as well as wines, grappas, and liqueurs. A picnic can be handily assembled from a huge assortment of local salamis and cheeses.

Browse collections by lesser-known Italian designers, many of whom use the same factories as the A-list, at this women's clothing shop.

Classy Majani has been producing chocolate since 1796. Its staying power may be attributed to high-quality confections that are as pretty to look at as they are to eat.

One of the finest Italian names in knitwear, Malo carries luxurious casual looks for men, women, and the home.

This is one of the first attempts in Florence to cash in on the museum-store craze. Look for reproductions of valued works of art and jewelry.

If you feel like indulging in a custom-made suit or shirt, try this world-famous haberdashery that's been in business since the 19th century. In the 16th-century Palazzo Cellamare, you can watch the tailors at work.

It's worth popping in for their super-Positanese floaty dresses and other cotton and linen attire—their second and original shop is at Via del Saracino 16, near the Spiaggia Grande beach.

Count the British royal family among the customers of this shop that has been selling old-fashioned made-to-measure ties for more than 100 years.

The place to go for unique, handmade-in-Rome bathing suits, Marisa Padovan has been sewing for Hollywood starlets like Audrey Hepburn and the well-heeled women of the Eternal City for more than 50 years. Choose from ready-to-wear coverups or suits trimmed with Swarovski crystals and polished turquoise stones or have the staff help you design a bespoke bikini or one-piece. The chic, cheery boutique also sells daughter Flavia's line of velvet trousers, knit ponchos, silk dresses, and cashmere coverups that make it easy to transition from a day by sea to an evening on the town.

The best place in the city for fruit and vegetables, this market can be found several blocks northwest of Piazza Carità off Via Toledo.

For low-price and surprisingly high-quality clothing and linen, head to the Mercatino di Antignano.

Open four days a week (Friday–Monday), this market is a little farther out than most, but it has a vast selection of shoes in all styles and sizes, and at uniformly low prices. Clothes, antiques, and other items are also for sale. Some locals insist that the best bargains can be found on Friday.

The market takes place on Thursday morning. Get here early for the best bargains.

This huge indoor food market offers a staggering selection of all things edible. Downstairs is full of vendors hawking their wares—meat, fish, fruit, vegetables—upstairs (daily 8 am–midnight) is full of food stalls serving up the best of what Italy has to offer.

Every Thursday morning from September through June the covered loggia in Piazza della Repubblica hosts this lively market—a riot of plants, flowers, and difficult-to-find herbs.

If you're looking for cheery, inexpensive trinkets to take home, roam through the stalls under the loggia of the Mercato del Porcellino.

This food market and food hall that opened in 1910 bustles year-round.

This former fruit and vegetable market has morphed into a food hall. Various stalls offer the best that Bologna has to offer, and the Bolognesi are gobbling it up. Order from whatever place strikes your fancy, and sit anywhere there's room. There's a second entrance on Via Pescherie Vecchie.

Groceries and household items are sold at the cheapest prices at this popular market, along with jeans, shoes, and a surprising number of untagged name-brand items at half price or better.