Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This tiny artisanal jeweller on Monti's best shopping street showcases handmade pieces by Tammar Edelman and Elinor Avni that will appeal to those with a…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Mercatino Antiquariato Piazza Marina
Palermo
Palermo's best-loved flea market takes over Piazza Marina and surrounding streets every Sunday morning. Those with a sharp eye can find some real…
Augusta Perusia Cioccolato e Gelateria
Perugia
Founded in 2000 by Giacomo Mangano, an expert chocolatier who learned his craft at Perugina, Augusta Perusia is a renowned chocolate maker. This, the…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Step into old-world Florence at this family-run, 16th-century pharmacy and herbalist – an elegant mirage of dark wood cabinets, colourful tiled floor and…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Stefania Giannici’s nimble fingers have been practising origami since she was four years old. Now a master of her craft, she folds, prints, rolls and…
Palermo
Using traditional techniques and Tuscan leather (including vegetable-tanned leather), self-taught leather craftsman Francesco Pellegrino and his partner…
Venice
Venetian pirates once headed to Constantinople for all their interior-decoration needs, but today they'd need look no further than Caigo da Mar. This tiny…
Mercato Caramanico a Poggioreale
Naples
Also known as the Mercatino delle Scarpe (Shoe Market), Naples' largest open-air market is famous for its kicks, from designer overstock to no-frills…
Perugia
Part cafe, restaurant, cultural space and gourmet supermarket, trendy Umbrò occupies the former Ospedale di Santa Maria della Misericordia, one of the…
Syracuse
The hand-painted ceramics of Dutch-born, Ortygia-based artist Caroline van Riet burst with childlike joy. Cheerful, storybook-like creatures, sunny island…
Como
First opened in 1919, this is the last remaining silk shop in town dedicated to selling Como-designed-and-made silk ties, scarves, throws and sarongs…
Sorrento
Dating from 1863, this old-fashioned warehouse-shop is a classic. Knowledgeable assistants guide you through the three floors of locally made goods,…
Venice
Hand-coloured lithographs of fanciful lagoon fish, 19th-century miniatures of cats dressed as generals, and vintage cufflinks make for charming souvenirs…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
If you're after a hard-to-find grappa or a special wine, this excellent enoteca is the place. Piero Costantini's superbly stocked shop is a point of…
Genoa
A treasure trove of upmarket vintage fashion with pieces from classic Italian designers such as Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci, with some fashion…
Santa Maria Novella
Swatches of vintage cloth are woven into new garments to create unique, one-off pieces at this fashionable women's ready-to-wear boutique. The bold prints…
Centro Storico
Women's ballet flats and elegant, everyday bags in rainbow colours and super-soft leather are the hallmarks of the Rome-born Marta Ray brand. At this…
Trieste
Marco and Michele's handprinted textiles are inspired by traditional Balkan scarves. In fact, their workshop has revived a family business that once…
Modica
Sicily's oldest chocolate factory is the perfect place to taste Modica's famous chocolate. Flavoured with cinnamon, vanilla, orange peel and even hot…
Duomo & San Babila
There's a touch of Breakfast at Tiffany’s meets old-school Milan at this concept store created by Chichi Meroni. The refined interiors of the cafe…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Design lovers will adore this boutique of French fashion label Balenciaga, which is set inside a 19th-century palazzo with vintage furniture and a…
Naples
The very idea of ‘vintage’ clothing emerged in Naples in WWII when resourceful Neapolitans collected Allied army uniforms to repurpose and sell on the…
Venice
Thoughts worth committing to paper deserve Paolo Olbi’s keepsake books, albums and stationery, whose fans include Hollywood actors and NYC mayors (ask to…
Naples
Guglielmo Muoio sold his first pastore (nativity-scene figurine) at age 13. More than a decade on, the talented artisan has even exhibited at the European…
Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni
Central Tuscany
The largest and best known of the local wine producers, Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni produces a Chianti Classico, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chicolino…
Vietri sul Mare
This vast factory outlet, which looks like something Gaudí might have built, is the most famous ceramics shop in town. It sells everything from egg cups…
Santa Maria Novella
Elena is the passion and knowledge behind this astonishing chocolate shop that sells only the best. Think black-truffle-flavoured chocolate, an entire…
Venice
Prison orange is out and plum silk velvet is in at this nonprofit boutique, where hand-sewn fashions are the fruit of a retraining program at the women’s…
Monterosso
This tiny boutique seems like it was plucked straight from Milan and plunked onto the cobblestones of Monterosso – perhaps not surprising given designer…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
Founded in 1932, this historic food shop (and the anchor location of a small local chain) is an Aladdin’s cave of gourmet treats. Towering, ceiling-high…
Bellagio
A deli-cum–grocery shop piled high with Larian goodies, among them dried porcini mushrooms, DOP Laghi Lombardi-Lario olive oil, missoltini (dried fish)…
Taormina
Siblings Maria and Elvira handcraft upbeat, contemporary ceramics in their workshop-cum-store, hidden away on a Taormina side street. Bright, vibrant…
Mediterranean Coast
Sciacca has a tradition of ceramic production and there are numerous shops selling colourful crockery. For something more original, visit this Aladdin's…
Santa Maria Novella
This Florentine house has pampered well-heeled locals with its natural skincare, fragrance and wellbeing products since 1843. Be it an invigorating…
Lucca
Swill down picnics with your choice of 200 different Italian craft beers at this beer shop on Lucca's main shopping street, with a tap room for serious…
Venice
Kids, entomologists and glass collectors seek out Signor Camuffo in this cabinet of miniature natural wonders. Expect to find him wielding a blowtorch as…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
This permanent market stall (inside Mercato Centrale) is the place in Florence to taste and buy bitter and spicy, typically Tuscan olive oil on white…
Amalfi
Amalfi’s connection with papermaking dates back to the 12th century, when the first mills were set up to supply the republic’s small army of bureaucrats…
Siena
This drogheria (grocery shop) been in business since 1879, and has retained high standards for the duration. Come here to source delectable panforte …
Milan
Fumetti (comics) are an obsession in Italy, and SuperGulp caters well with racks and racks of beautifully illustrated classic, popular and fantasy comics,…
