Shopping in Tuscany

Love shopping? Then you’ve chosen a great place to book your holiday villa. In Tuscany, you’ll find a mix of shopping experiences, whether you want to buy the latest designer clothes or a chunk of tasty local cheese.

Tuscany is well known for its wine, olive oil, and fresh local produce. It’s also a good place to pick up leather goods, lace and terracotta. Visit a local market early in the morning to purchase the freshest produce. And check out the markets across the region that specialise in artisanal crafts and antiques. The quaint traditional shops found in smaller villages are also a good place to seek out lovely hand-crafted products for a fabulous souvenir to take home.

There are fantastic factory outlets here, too, with many of the top Italian design houses selling luxury items at bargain prices, including Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. While Tuscany’s cities – Siena, Arezzo, Florence and Pisa among them – have some great high-street shopping, too.

Check out our suggestions below on where to enjoy a shopping trip during your villa holiday in Tuscany.

Your Questions Answered
Will they have the particular things I am looking for? Outlet shopping is hit and miss. You could be unlucky big time, you might not find a thing to buy,you might find something you'd never thought of. Nothing is certain. Even the staff at the outlet cannot be sure from day to day what stock they will have.
Can certain things be sent to me? Sending this type of merchandise abroad would breach all trade agreements and undercut the flagship stores. If you want outlet prices, you must make the effort to go to the outlet.
Will the staff at the outlets speak English ? Yes, they will also know all international sizing.
For outlet shopping, which is the most convenient airport to fly into ? The closest airports to the Prada and Gucci out lets are, in order; Florence, Pisa, Rome.
Can I get there by public transport ? Getting around by public transport is possible but not optimum. Take a train from Florence or Arezzo to Montevarchi. From there take a taxi to the outlets. You may want to ask it to wait for you whilst you shop or arrange for the same taxi to return for you at a fixed time as the outlets are all in quite remote areas.
Is a decent hotel near by to stay in and for a reasonable price?
We do not have hotels in area of the outlets on our books and so cannot personally recommend anything. If your goal is to outlet shop you could just arrive in the area and ask the locals where to stay - as it is not a tourist area you should find something. The outlets are about 30 minutes from Florence by car.
When is the best time to arrive ? It is best to arrive at Prada before it opens at about 9.00. At the door you take a ticket and then retire to the very chic bar/café next door, which has an electronic number counter to let you know when it's your turn. The choicest items are always there first thing and go quickly. Keep your ticket. Anything you think you might want to buy you can give to a sales assistant who will store it for you whilst you rampage on to the next discovery, at the end you have a second chance to re look at everything calmly and make your final selection. Do not bother going on weekends, public holidays or during the peak sale periods (when the best old stock is sent to the stores). As with all outlets, it can be hit or miss, some times you will be lucky and other times you will not find anything worth buying. At Prada 9 times out of 10 you will be stuck for choice 1 time you won't find a thing to buy, it depends on luck. At Gucci it is the reverse but that one time you are unlucky you will be so big time. Gucci never has lines/queues for this reason and so visit Prada first and then Gucci.
What about the sales in regular stores ? During sale periods (Early January and early July onwards) the bargains in the stores are almost as good as in the outlets. The outlets never have sales.
What about outlets in other parts of Italy ? We have visited very good outlets near to lake Como (Armani, Fendi, Iceburg) and Lago Maggiore (mainly pottery, china and kitchen ware)and in Legnano (mainly shoes, Fratelli Rosetti etc.) as it is far from us, we cannot give first hand information. The best idea is to check on before you leave or while at your To Tuscany villa.


The Mall
The Mall now hosts the outlet shops more than 35 top brands: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tod's, Valentino e Yves Saint Laurent, and more.
The complex also includes a café restaurant.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10.00-19.00, Sun 15.00-19.00.
Closed on public holidays
How to get there:
By Road
From Milan: Take A1 motorway towards Florence/Rome and take the exit marked Incisa. Take the road on the right towards Pontassieve until reaching Leccio. Continue straight through Leccio and The Mall will be on the left.
From Rome: Take A1 motorway towards Florence and take the exit marked Incisa. Take the road on the right towards Pontassieve until reaching Leccio. Continue straight through Leccio and The Mall will be on the left.
By Train
Take the train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station to Rignano sull'Arno and continue by taxi to Leccio (about 5 min).
Shuttle Bus and Public Transport
There is a daily service from Florence to and from The Mall. For information and reservations visitors can contact the information centre.

Tel: +39 055 8657 775
Web: http://www.themall.it

Dolce & Gabbanna
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00 to 19.00. Sunday 15.00 to 19.00. Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes.
How to get there:
From Milan – Take the A1 Motorway towards Florence/Rome.
From Rome: Take the A1 Motorway towards Florence.
Exit the A1 at Incisa and turn right. Follow the SS69. Look for a brown and Yellow sign for  D&G on the Left. The address' are as they appear on the business cards of these out lets. To get to Gucci, continue past the turn for D&G on the SS69 until you see a sleek white square building with a sign 'CAFE'.
Address: Località S. Maria Maddalena, 49
Pian dell’Isola Rignano Sull’Arno (FI)
Tel: +39 055 833 1300

Prada
Opening hours : from Monday to Saturday 10.30 till 19.30. Sunday 10.30 to 18.30. Please call ahead to check opening hours as they are subject to sudden changes. Saturday is the busiest day. Admission is possible until 1/2 an hour before closing time.
How to get there:
Take the A1 autostrada - Exit 'Valdarno', then continue on the SS 69 towards arezzo. Pass through Montevarchi and 'Località levanella' after the village pass a gas station and then follow signs for Lo Spaccio in the 'Zona Industriale' on the left. The outlet is in the back of the main factory complex. It is a big low lying factory on your left. Do not hesitate to show local people the address to get a direction as it is hard to find.
Address: Località Levanella, SS 69
52025 Montevarchi (AR)

Barberino Designer Outlet
Surrounded by the lovely scenery of Mugello just 30 minutes from Florence, Barberino Designer Outlet is the perfect shopping destination if you are a real fashionista!
Designed to resemble the style of Renaissance villas in the midst of luxuriant greenery, its contemporary stores, home to national and international brands, line the banks of the River Sieve and are connected by picturesque wooden footbridges. Shop 200 of the most luxurious designer fashion brands, including must-have fashion labels Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Class Roberto Vavalli, Furla, Blumarine, Borbonese and many more – all at 30-70% less.
Barberino Designer Outlet offers exclusive services such as tax-free shopping for international visitors, daily shuttle bus from Florence, traditional Tuscan restaurants and children’s playground.

How to get there:
From the A1 highway exit exit at Barberino del Mugello
Shuttle service daily from Florence train station.

Web: http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/barberino-designer-outlet/en/

Valdichiana Outlet Village
The most convenient outlet if you are planning to stay in the south of Siena or in Umbria. Not the flamboyant big brand as in Barberino Outlet Village or The Mall, but still a very good selection if you are looking for a casual look and housewares stores.

How to get there:
From the A1 highway exit at Valdichiana - Sinalunga - Bettolle S.P. 327
From the Siena – Perugia dual-lane carriageway exit at Bettolle
From both motorway exits you’ll find directions for the Valdichiana Outlet Village.
Shuttle service daily from Arezzo train station.
Web: http://www.valdichianaoutlet.it

Weekly Open-Air Markets
The cheapest and most authentic way to go shopping during your villa holiday is to visit one of the weekly markets that take place in Tuscany’s towns and villages. Some have just a few stalls, others are huge and extremely.

It’s a lovely way to shop for local goods – cheese, wine and oil, salamis and hams, fish and meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll also find stalls selling clothes and shoes, and it’s not unusual to find branded products and quality items at a reduced price.

These markets usually only open in the morning, from 7.30am to 1pm, but even if they last all day, go early if you want to bag a bargain or buy the freshest produce.

Here’s a list of the most popular markets in Tuscany and Umbria, many of which will be located near your To Tuscany villa. As well as the street or square where they take place, we’ve noted on which day of the week they take place, but days may vary depending on festivals and bank holidays.


Florence area
San Lorenzo Market
Piazza di San Lorenzo
Open daily
San Lorenzo market is famous for leather jackets and bags, all locally produced. The market is usually very crowded with locals and visitors.

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
Piazza Ghiberti and Piazza Sant'Ambrogio
Monday to Saturday, 7am-2pm
This market sells fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, pasta, dairy products and flowers. Tired of walking around and feeling hungry? Take a seat in one of the restaurants connected to the market for an inexpensive and tasty lunch.

Mercato Centrale
Via dell’Ariento
Monday to Friday, 7am-2pm, Saturday 7am-5pm (except during summer months)
This refurbished market in the heart of Florence is the place to buy high-quality food. It’s also a good place to stop for lunch while sight-seeing, and to relax with a generous glass of red wine after a long day out in the crowded city.
Further information: www.mercatocentrale.it

La Fierucola
Piazza San Spirito.
Third Sunday of the month, except August
Located in one of Florence's ordinary neighbourhoods, this market sells wine, food and handmade products that promote small-scale organic and biodynamic farming.

Monday
San Casciano Val di Pesa - Piazza della Repubblica

Tuesday
Borgo San Lorenzo - Piazza del Mercato
Figline Valdarno - historic centre
Montespertoli - historic centre

Wednesday
Calenzano - Via Don Minzoni
Certaldo - Via Matteotti
Pontassieve - historic centre

Thursday
Pelago - Piazza Ghiberti
San Donato in Poggio - Piazza Matteotti

Friday
Signa - Piazza della Repubblica
Tavarnelle Val di Pesa - Via Boccaccio

Saturday
Barberino Val d’Elsa - Piazza Mazzini
Castelfiorentino - Piazza Kennedy
Greve in Chianti - Piazza Matteotti
Impruneta - Piazza Buondelmonti
Montelupo Fiorentino - Piazza Grande
Reggello - Piazza Aldo Moro
Rufina - Piazza Umberto I
San Piero a Sieve - Via Provinciale
Sesto Fiorentino - Piazza Veneto

Sunday
Panzano - historic centre


Siena area
Monday
Gaiole in Chianti - Via Ricasoli - 2nd Monday of the month
Radda in Chianti - Piazza IV Novembre and Via Matteotti - 4th Monday of the month

Tuesday
Chiusi - historic centre
Poggibonsi - Via Re di Puglia

Wednesday
Chianciano Terme - Via della Pace and Via dello Stadio
Siena - La Lizza and around Fortezza Medicea

Thursday
Castelnuovo Berardenga - Piazza Marconi and Via Chianti
Montepulciano - Piazza Nenni
San Gimignano - Piazze dell’Erbe, Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo

Friday
Colle Val d’Elsa - Piazza Arnolfo, Via Mazzini and Via Oberdan
Montalcino - Via della Libertà
Pienza - Via Mencattelli

Saturday
Asciano - Via Mameli and Via Amendola
Buonconvento - Piazzale Garibaldi
Castellina in Chianti - Via IV Novembre
San Gimignano - Piazze dell’Erbe, Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo


Lucca area
Monday
Small Market on the promenade in Lido di Camaiore

Tuesday
Bagni di Lucca - Piazza Aldo Moro

Wednesday
Forte dei Marmi - Piazza Marconi
Lucca - Piazza Varanini, Via dei Bacchettoni, Via Iacopo della Quercia

Thursday
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana - historic centre
Castiglione Garfagnana - historic centre
Pietrasanta - Piazza Statuto
Viareggio - Piazza Cavour

Friday
Bagni di Lucca - Piazza Aldo Moro
Camaiore - Piazza Oberdan
Capannori - Piazza Aldo Moro
Torre del Lago - historic centre

Saturday
Barga - Via Giardino
Lucca - Piazza Varanini - Via dei Bacchettoni, Via Iacopo della Quercia

Sunday
Forte dei Marmi - Piazza Marconi


Grosseto area
Monday
Monte Argentario - Porto Ercole

Tuesday
Arcidosso - Via Guglielmo Marconi
Monte Argentario - Porto Santo Stefano
Sorano - Piazza della Repubblica

Wednesday
Capalbio - Piazza Provvidenza
Pitigliano - Piazza del Mercato

Thursday
Grosseto - Piazza De Maria

Saturday
Castiglione della Pescaia - Piazza Ponte Giorgini
Orbetello - Via Caravaggio and Via Trento


Arezzo area
Monday
Loro Ciuffenna - Piazza Garibaldi

Wednesday
Bucine - Via Roma and Piazza del Popolo
Monte San Savino - historic centre

Thursday
Montevarchi - Piazza XX Settembre

Friday
Terranuova Bracciolini - Piazza della Repubblica

Saturday
Arezzo - Via Giotto
Cortona - Piazza Signorelli
San Giovanni Valdarno - Corso Italia and Piazza Cavour

Sunday
Monterchi - Piazza Mercato


Livorno area
Tuesday
Cecina - historic centre

Thursday
Castagneto Carducci - Via Leonardo da Vinci

Friday
Livorno - Via Pensieri and Via Allende

Saturday
San Vincenzo - Piazza Giovanni XXIII


Pisa area
Monday
Castelfranco di Sotto - Via XX Settembre

Tuesday
Peccioli - historic centre
San Miniato - Piazza Dante Alighieri

Wednesday
Pisa - located in the soccer stadium parking area

Saturday
Montopoli Valdarno - Piazza S.Sebastiano
Volterra - Piazza dei Priori


Pistoia area
Monday
Monsummano Terme - Piazza Giusti

Tuesday
Buggiano - Piazza del Mercato and Piazza Salutati

Wednesday
Massa e Cozzile - Piazza Della Resistenza
Pistoia - Piazza Duomo and Piazza Santo Spirito

Thursday
Montecatini Terme - Piazzale Granduca Leopoldo

Saturday
Pieve a Nievole - Piazza 27 Aprile
Pistoia - Piazza Duomo and Piazza Santo Spirito


Umbria
Monday to Saturday
Perugia - Mercato Coperto in Piazza Matteotti

Thursday
Orvieto - Piazza del Capitano del Popolo

Saturday
Perugia - Piazzale Umbria Jazz
Orvieto - Piazza del Capitano del Popolo

Florence
Mercato delle Pulci
Piazza de' Ciompi.
Open daily
This flea market sells furniture, antiques, prints, coins, jewellery, bric-a-brac and antiquarian books. It has extra stands on the last Sunday of every month, except in August.

Siena
Piazza del Mercato
Third Sunday of the month, except August
This small antiques and flea market takes place in a historic market place beneath a roof known as Il Tartarugone because it looks like a tortoise’s shell – worth seeing for itself.

Lucca
Antiques market
Cathedral of San Martino
Third weekend of the month
Lucca’s antiques market is arguably the best place in Tuscany for buying antiques.
Mostra Piazzetta dell'Arte.
Piazzetta San Carlo and Piazzetta dell’Arancio
Third weekend of the month
This open-air exhibition showcases contemporary paintings and sculptures by local artists.
Pietrasanta 
Antiques market
Piazza Statuto, Pietrasanta (Lucca)
The first Sunday of every month
An antiques fair around the cathedral

Arezzo
Fiera Antiquaria
Historic centre of the city
First Sunday of every month
This famous antiques market is always a hit with collectors, featuring more than 400 exhibitors from across Italy.
Further information: www.fieraantiquaria.org

Pistoia
Antiques Market
Ex Breda factory, Via Pertini, Pistoia
Second weekend of the month
Set in the restored former Breda engineering plant, this market sells antiques, bric-a-brac and contemporary art.

Perugia
Antiques Market
Palazzo della Prefettura in summer, Rocca Paolina in winter
Fourth weekend of the month
This antiques market sells Ceramics and antique costume jewellery

Montepulciano 
Arts market
Piazza Grande
Second Sunday of every month

Grosseto
Antiques market
Marina di Grosseto
Third Sunday of every month

For more information on antiques markets click here