548 Best Places to Shop in Italy

Consistently recognized as one of the best wine stores in the country, Enoteca Italiana (established 1972) lives up to its reputation—as it says, "every good bottle has a good story"—with shelves lined with excellent selections from all over Italy at reasonable prices. In addition, the delicious plates of cured meats served with wines by the glass, make a great light lunch.

Owners Filippo and Jelena welcome shoppers into their well-stocked enoteca as if they are inviting friends into their home. In this little spot just outside the city center, they stock one of the area's best selections of Etna and Sicilian wines as well as boutique amari, Etna-distilled gins, and a whole wall of sparkling wine. Rely on their expertise to navigate the offerings. The couple knows every bottle in the shop and never tries a gratuitous upsell. 

The best wineshop in town has been family run for four generations and stocks a fantastic selection of Sicilian and national wines. Although service can be curt, you can taste a selection of wines by the glass in the front of the store. There are tables in the back, where meats and cheeses are also served.

This small wine shop by the Canale Cannaregio is lined with flasks, and the friendly owners give tastings to help you decide which of the Veneto vintages you wish to buy.

For gentlemen looking to bring home some Italian style, this family-run boutique under the arcades on Piazza della Repubblica is a must. You won't find designer names like Armani but rather small Italian producers like Gran Sasso, which makes high-quality knits, and Camplin, which makes the original Royal Navy peacoat. The in-house tailor is available to make quick adjustments, and the family also has a shoe store around the corner.

Founded in 1931, one of Rome's oldest and largest antiquarian bookshops has a distinctive selection of scholarly and collectible books from the 16th to 20th century. In addition to rare and early editions on art and architecture, music and theater, and literature and humanities, the shop sells maps and prints.

The name has been synonymous with high-quality paper since 1264 and is esteemed by publishers, writers, and artists. The boutique offers a glimpse into their full range of products from luxurious stationery to journals and specialized notebooks. They also offer a line of writing instruments and leather items.

Run by a family of market-stall sellers, Fanny combines good value, friendly service, and cheerful design. Come here for an exceptional selection of soft leather gloves as well as leather and suede bags.

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. An outlet at Via Cavour 106, named for Fausto's father, Giacomo, sells last season's shoes at a big discount.

The largest bookstore in town carries books, CDs, and DVDs and has an inviting coffee bar on the lower ground floor. The branch in Stazione Centrale also has a large selection of English books.

This publisher's national chain always has an exceptional variety of books. For Venice's typically small space, the shop is delightfully spacious, and has an excellent selection of books.

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 genius, she hired Karl Lagerfeld, whose furs and runway antics made him one of the most influential designers of the 20th century and brought international acclaim to Fendi. More recently, the atelier has 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.

Set in a 13th-century palazzo, this classy institution 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.

Although this shop specializes in Procida ceramics, its inventory includes lots of other items that would also make great gifts. It's affiliated with the store called La Controra in Corricella.

Specializing in Italian handicrafts, Flake's selects the best ceramics and small home decor items from all over the country. From elaborately designed platters from Deruta and hand-carved kitschy gnomes, there is something for every taste. However, the best sellers by far are the blue and white vintage enamel plates that are painted with Roman sayings.

For a more pop art take on traditional Sicilian ceramics, visit this little boutique and gallery run by artist Magda Masano. You'll find iconic ceramic pine cones (pigne) and teste di Moro (a ubiquitous pair of heads) in vibrant colors such as emerald green, lilac, or turquoise. Additionally, there are kitchen wares like plates, spoon rests, and cheese boards, all made of lava stone.

The original Fortuny textile factory, built on former convent grounds, has been converted into a showroom. Prices are over-the-top, but it's worth a trip to see the extraordinary colors and textures of their hand-printed silks and velvets. Call in advance to arrange a tour of the buildings and gorgeous gardens.

A tiny workshop specializes in superb handmade leather bags in all shapes and sizes. The craftsmanship is exceptional; get Bottega Veneta look-alikes at half the price.

One of only four artisans making the oars and oarlocks used for Venetian rowing, Franco Furlanetto carries on the centuries-old craft on which gondoliers (and ordinary Venetian rowers) depend. If a working forcola of solid walnut is too much for you, he offers an assortment of boat models, keychains, and earrings in the form of small wooden forcolas, magnets, and other Venetian mementoes.

Still in operation after four generations, this Florentine institution sells antique jewelry and makes pieces to order; you can also get old jewelry reset here.

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. There is another location on Via del Babuino.

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 bed and bath linens for the home and the hotel industry since 1860, and sinking into its sophisticated cotton, satin, percale, linen, or silk-blended sheets is the perfect way to end the day. Complete your bedtime experience with silk pajamas and a soft cashmere robe.

Furla's chic leather bags and wallets are both contemporary and timeless. Prices, particularly for its woven totes, are more accessible than those at other upscale accessory brands.

Furla might very well be the best deal in Italian leather, selling high-quality purses and wallets at comparatively affordable prices. Be prepared to fight your way through crowds of passionate handbag lovers, all eager to possess one of the delectable bags, wallets, or whimsical key chains in trendy sherbet hues or timeless bold color combos.

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

This Genoese-based company has been making elegant cashmere 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 Rick Owens 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 sculptures of sheep and bulls. Ask about shipping items home.

This gorgeous covered shopping arcade on the Piazza Colonna was envisioned in the late 19th century but not opened to the public until 1922. A Neoclassical palazzo with a brilliant stained-glass ceiling, the indoor mall is home to individual boutiques with both big and small names.