Artisti Artigiani del Chiostro
Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands
Dating from the 15th-century, the cloister of the former Convent of Sts Cosmas and Damian has been repurposed as a base for independent artisans to ply…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Naples
The city's finest vintage prints, photographs, paintings and frames. If you can't find what you're looking for here, check out its sister branch at Via…
Naples
Hit the stalls on Via Imbriani for well-priced fashionable frocks, jumpers and cardigans, tasteful bijou jewellery, shoes, high-end fakes and the odd…
Venice
The plush, handwoven silk-and-wool wraps piled high on Arras’ shelves represent the combined efforts of this weaving cooperative, which offers vocational…
Antica Macelleria di Francesco Esposito
Ischia
This century-old deli is gourmet foodie heaven. Drop in from 8am for fresh mozzarella and wood-fired casareccio bread, plus a lip-smacking choice of…
Syracuse
Near the harbour is Syracuse’s produce market, a sea of red-canopied stalls bursting with fresh mussels, oysters, octopus and shellfish. You'll also find…
Venice
Not so much a bookshop as a tiny time machine, Segni's cramped shelves might reveal a 16th-century edition of Giovanni Pontano's De Prudentia or a History…
Duomo & San Babila
The world’s oldest bicycle manufacturing company has opened an enormous multipurpose space in the city where it was born. Decked out in famous Bianchi…
Santa Maria Novella
It is impossible to miss the stylish boutique of Florentine designer Marioluca Giusti, an all-white space that shows off to perfection the brilliant…
Vernazza
A fabulous place to browse, this atmospheric shop sells beautiful jewellery (horn bracelets, vintage silver earrings, amber necklaces), bags made from…
Naples
Mario Talarico and his nephew have turned the humble umbrella into a work of art. Sought after by heads of state, each piece is a one-off, with mother-of…
Como
This smart little shop is run by designer Simona Trombetta, responsible for much of the well-priced contemporary jewellery made with brass, bronze, silver…
Cagliari
For haute couture with history, search out this oh-so-stylish Castello boutique. The shop itself is a sight, set over a Punic cistern and ancient Roman…
Trieste
The streets of Trieste's Jewish ghetto were once filled with antique shops and a few remain among the bars and cafes that have sprung up more recently…
Venice
After seeing umpteen Venetian masterpieces, anyone’s fingers will start twitching for a paintbrush. Arcobaleno provides the raw materials, its shelves…
Milan
Midcentury shops are surprisingly thin on the ground in Milan (presumably because everyone was wise enough to hold onto their hand-me-down Arco lamps and…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Doyenne Emilia di Ammendola, a third-generation lace-maker, has passed on her skills to her children who are continuing the family tradition in this…
Ancient Rome
The Colosseum's bookshop, on the monument's second floor, stocks a comprehensive selection of archaeological guides, as well as children's books and…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Renaissance jewels and gems inspire the designs of third-generation jeweller Paolo Penko, who works with his son in the atelier his grandfather opened in…
Venice
If you're looking for something distinctively Venetian, check out this Aladdin's cave. An old-fashioned dealer and artisan restorer, Valter Ballarin has a…
Venice
In addition to its sumptuous range of art and design books, the shop of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia offers a highly curated selection of glass,…
Centro Storico
It's difficult to resist going into this magical toyshop where everything is carved out of wood. By the main entrance, a Pinocchio pedals his bike…
Eastern Tuscany
Established in 1842, this eighth-generation Anghiari-based family business is known world-wide for its high-quality textiles, which are manufactured using…
Boboli & San Miniato al Monte
Bespoke shoes for gents – complete with original sixpence coin embedded in the sole of the left shoe for good luck – is what this Florentine shoemaker…
Manarola
If you're eager to get out and do some hiking but didn't bring the right gear, head uphill from the harbour to reach this outdoor outfitter. You can pick…
Lipari
About two-thirds of the way down from Marina Lunga to Marina Corta, a lush, technicolour fruit display announces the presence of this traditional…
Artigianato d'Arte di Mauro Vianello
San Polo & Santa Croce
A coral reef's worth of painstakingly detailed glass Nemos, seahorses, starfish, jellyfish and seashells fills the window of this little glass studio…
Centro Storico
Giuseppe Casetti's collection of vintage black-and-white photos, art prints, leather-bound tomes, exhibition catalogues and posters is on show for all to…
Northeastern Sardinia
Tempio native Anna Grindi works magic in this innovative clothing shop, which sells dresses, shoes and bags made entirely of native Sardinian cork. Using…
Siena
Everything at the House of Leather is made by master craftsman Paolo Infunti on-site, including the extraordinary medieval-style armour that Game of…
Syracuse
A gorgeous little boutique that sells designer clothes, shoes and accessories for little style icons in training. Go gaga over super-cute jumpsuits,…
Parma
The owners of the former Salumeria Grisenti have gone green: this small but fantastic market now specialises in organic Tuscan-Ligurian-Emilian products…
Perugia
Ubiquitous on menus across central Italy, Umbria's truffles are a much vaunted regional speciality. This suitably aromatic store, one of a nationwide…
Centro Storico
Originally founded as a comics shop, this Aladdin's cave is crammed to its rafters with antiques. Make your way through the lamps that hang like jungle…
Genoa
Owned by one of Genoa's best fashion eyes, this colourful little shop is a two-decades historic centre veteran. Labels are diverse, from Italian hard…
Palermo
Colours pop at this family-owned ceramics showroom. There's an extensive range of vibrant, handmade items, from egg cups, platters and vases to Med-chic…
Cagliari
Roberto, his brother and their enthusiastic team do a brisk trade in glorious Sardinian food at this breezy Marina emporium. Stop by for the finest…
Venice
Hiding in plain sight on touristy Strada Nova, this authentic Murano glass shop stocks jewellery from some of Venice's very best glass artists, many of…
Terracotta Ceramiche di Caltagirone
Syracuse
This is where the cognoscenti (including Dolce & Gabbana) head for beautiful ceramics from Caltagirone, a central Sicilian town famed for its ceramic…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Consider Paolo’s hand-bound marbled-paper journals and photo albums a challenge: now it’s up to you to create Venice memories worthy of such inspired…
