283 Best Places to Shop in Italy

Among Italians, Erice is known for the quality and delicate floral designs of its majolica ceramics, well represented in this ceramics store off Piazza San Domenico, one of the best in town.

Producing ceramics since the 17th century, Ceramiche San Giorgio is known for both classic and modern designs.

From the end of November to the first week after New Year's there's a traditional Christkindlmarkt in Piazza Walther, with stalls selling all kinds of Christmas decorations and local handcrafted goods.

The antique wooden cabinets and tables at this old-fashioned bookstore are laden with volumes about art, local history, and esoterica.

Choose a leather design from the hundreds of options on display, and the cobbler will custom-craft a pair of sandals for you.

Since 1924, award-winning Damiani has sold high-end watches and jewelry to the likes of Sophia Loren, Brad Pitt, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

On the so-called Riviera del Corallo, Alghero has long been famed for its coral products, fashioned into elegant jewelry. This shop, with three outlets within a few yards of each other in the old town, has an impressive range of bracelets, brooches, and necklaces.

Opened in 1947, De Rossi is a Veronese institution producing oven-hot bread, cakes, pastries, biscotti, and other specialties like fresh pasta.

A woman just isn't a signora without a good pair of gloves. Luckily the tiny Di Cori shop makes the most of their space by filling cubbyholes that reach to the ceiling full of technicolor gloves. All are made in Italy out of the softest lambskin, and lined with silk, cashmere, rabbit fur, or wool. They also carry a smaller selection of unlined, washable versions.

Trendy Diesel started in Vicenza; its gear is on the "must have" list of many Italian teens.

The unusual jewelry at DoDo comes in the form of gold, silver, and other charms.

Dolce and Gabbana met in 1980 when both were assistants at a Milan fashion atelier, and they opened their first store in 1982. With a modern aesthetic that screams sex appeal, the brand has always thrived on excess and is known for its bold, creative designs. The Rome store has a glass ceiling above a sparkling chandelier to allow natural light to spill in, illuminating the marble floors, antique brass accents, and (of course) the latest lines for men, women, and even children. It also has an expansive accessories area.

This shop continues the centuries-old Neapolitan tradition of marble-inlay work, creating precious tables and console tops.

Started in 1999, Dondup is a Milanese brand that has captured the essence of casual chic. But it's no longer just a brand for denim lovers: its flagship store houses menswear, women's wear, accessories, and shoe collections.

At this lively shop—the original location in the now international Italian cuisine empire—with an attached bookstore, you can grab a bite to eat or have a glass of wine while stocking up on high-quality olive oil, vinegar, cured meats, and artisanal pasta. On the top floor, you can have a full-fledged trattoria meal, but what you can't have is anything decaffeinated: it's considered "chemical." There's a second entrance on Via Pescherie Vecchie.

The original Eduardo Monetti opened his doors in 1887 as a hat designer, soon bringing in customers such as the tenor Enrico Caruso. The shop remains a landmark Neapolitan name in sartorial splendor for men. Women can now find Monetti fashions on nearby Via Santa Caterina.

Eddy Monetti, which began as a hat shop in Naples more than 130 years ago, is known for classic, upscale men's jackets, sweaters, slacks, and ties made out of wool, cotton, and cashmere. Sophisticated and pricey, the store carries a range of stylish British- and Italian-made pieces.

This shop near the tourist office makes a great stop if you're pining for English-language newspapers or need a poolside paperback or a book on Amalfi's history.

A tiny hole in the wall, Egraphe is crammed with notebooks of every style and size, different kinds of handmade papers, and unusual pens and pencils.

Elena Mirò is a high-end brand that offers curvy women sophisticated, beautifully feminine clothes in sizes 46 (U.S. size 12, U.K. size 14) and up. There are several locations in Rome, including one on Via Nazionale.

The shop is a great bet for unexpected souvenirs—from accessories to home goods to stationery supplies—from your Roman holiday. Retro tube socks dedicated to pizza appreciation and mouth-watering puzzles featuring high-definition photos of plates of pasta are a few of the fun and funky tchotchkes on offer.

The aristocratic Marchese di Barsento, Emilio Pucci, became an international name in the late 1950s when the stretch ski clothes he designed for himself caught on with the dolce vita ("sweet life") crowd—his pseudopsychedelic prints and "palazzo pajamas" became all the rage.

Designer Giorgio Armani's mass-market brand does business in chic Piazza dei Martiri.

The sister store of the Giorgio Armani boutique has slightly more affordable nightclub- and office-friendly garb.

A bit outside the town center, this atmospheric shop is laden with wines, sweets, and other local products.

Consistently recognized as one of the best wine stores in the country, Enoteca Italiana (est.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.

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.

For more than 100 years, Ermenegildo Zegna has been a powerhouse of men's clothing in terms of both construction and fabric. Indeed, to ensure a high standard of quality, Zegna prefers to produce all the wool fabric it uses. Suits here start from €2,000, with the top of the line, known as "couture," costing considerably more. Although there are also lines of sportswear and accessories, this really is the place to splurge on a formal, tailored suit.

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.