Milan
Loads of little stickers, clips, pencils and decorated stationery fill this graphic, colourful space, so much so that it's rather hard to 'behave' as the…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
Drool over exquisite handmade shoes, jackets and other leather designs in buffalo and other soft leathers at this small boutique showcasing the unique…
Parma
Tempting new visitors just steps from the train station is this bountiful delicatessen dating to 1829, with dangling sausages, shelves of Lambrusco wines,…
Milan
Sourcing antiques and funky vintage artefacts since the 1960s, Il Cirmolo is a little treasure trove of joy. You can spend a whole morning here picking…
Duomo & San Babila
Iconic Alessandrian milliner Giuseppe Borsalino started making his luxury hats in 1857, then grew to such fame his name became the dictionary-defined term…
Milan
Once a month a big former metalworks is transformed into what is probably the hippest market in town. The place for all your vintage loves, such as…
Milan
Established in 1930, Doriani is renowned for its ultrasoft cashmere knits, including polo shirts, cardigans and sweaters. Its quintessentially understated…
Milan
Milan’s Danese may not be as well known as Piedmont’s Alessi, but its products possess the same sense of wit and attention to everyday detail. If Enzo…
Libreria Internazionale Hoepli
Duomo & San Babila
Italy’s largest bookshop has six floors and some 500,000 titles plus rare antiquarian books, as well as English- and German-language sections. Don’t…
Milan
A husband-and-wife, DJ-stylist duo highlight some of Milan’s most avant-garde looks and sounds. Look for super-wearable ACNE workwear and puffball sleeve…
Duomo & San Babila
Designed by star architect Jean Nouvel, this former cinema is a futuristic space halfway between a luxury department store and an innovative concept store…
Milan
Now under the wing of Patrizio Bertelli (Mr Prada), the original '60s hybrid of sport shoe and smart casual loafer is set for a comeback in this flagship…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
The Anglo American Bookshop is well stocked and well known. It has an excellent range of literature, travel guides, children’s books and maps, and if it…
Venice
This grappa store positively gleams, thanks to its copper-chrome fittings. The Poli family has been distilling grappa since 1898, and the friendly sales…
Milan
A hole-in-the wall on chic Via della Spiga, Sermoneta's boutique store sells standards such as hand-stitched calfskin gloves alongside more unique styles…
Venice
This elegant store sells predominantly glass, most notably beautiful pieces by Nason e Moretti, but also has innovative items in wood, metal and even…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
With travertine walls, stunning contemporary art and sweeping red-marble staircase, the flagship store of Rome's iconic fashion house inside 18th-century…
Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Whose idea of shopping for wine in Italy doesn't involve a 13th-century medieval castle and a rigorous, six-member blind tasting board? This worth-a…
Bologna
For those looking for a true made-to-measure Italian suit, an exquisite experience awaits at this fiercely artisanal tailor, where Leonardo and Gianluca…
Alghero
Coral has long been harvested in the waters off the Alghero coast (the aptly named Riviera del Corallo) and transformed into jewellery. Agostino Marogna…
Southern Rome
Be prepared for some serious taste-bud titillation in this flash food emporium of gargantuan proportions built in the former terminal for airport buses…
Tyrrhenian Coast
This beloved sweet shop on Castelbuono's main street is the perfect place to stock up on unique foodie gifts. Make sure to try the cubaita, a crunchy nut…
Vernazza
Cinque Terre's lemon trees, vineyards and seashore are among the inspirations for the alluring fragrances created by the locally based perfume maker. At…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Eataly is a one-stop food shop for everything Tuscan. Peruse beautifully arranged aisles laden with oils, conserved vegetables, pasta, rice, biscuits and…
Santa Maria Novella
Evocative of an artisan workshop, this tiny boutique showcases the world-class leather craft of local superstar Benheart. The young Florentine fashion…
Modena
Modena's best shop for balsamic vinegar represents 20 or so DOP producers belonging to the strictest and biggest of the three consortiums affiliated with…
Turin
A neighbourhood icon since 1958, this tiny family-run shop and deli draws gourmands from near and far, who fawn over the delectable cheese counter (over…
Volterra
Stefania Socchi's husband Daniele is a professional truffle hunter, and sources the tasty fungi that are used to produce the products sold in this shop…
Naples
Neighbour to one of Italy's most esteemed music conservatories, this erudite bookshop fills with the sound of practising musicians. Most new and vintage…
Lucca
The perfect accompaniment to a mid-morning coffee and a gift to take home, buccellato is a traditional sweet bread loaf with sultanas and aniseed seeds,…
Perugia
Inside a 13th-century Franciscan church, fourth-generation weaver Marta Cucchia is one of the few artisans still working with 19th-century Jacquard looms…
Naples
Family-run Scriptura is a must for artisanal leather goods made using high-quality Campanian leather. Its range includes handbags, satchels, duffel bags…
Monterosso
Several generations of one family create and sell the beautiful ceramics on display at this shop on Via Roma. Vases, bowls, jugs, platters and decorative…
Venice
Quite simply one of the best book shops in the city. Owner Claudio and his knowledgable and friendly team can guide you to the book or author you never…
Naples
In her heavenly scented workshop, Pina Malinconico crafts handmade slabs of soap that look as beautiful as they smell. Lined up under low-slung lights,…
Turin
This sprawling flea market has brought street merchants to the north of Porta Palazzo since 1857. It's both fascinating and overwhelming, but can turn up…
Syracuse
Using Tuscan leather and recycled materials like bike tyres, inner tubes and old army tents, artisans Kal and Giuliana create durable, handmade leather…
Florence
A 10-minute walk east of Santa Croce brings you to this much-heralded shoe shop, showcase for the colourful and often-times whimsical New Kid label by…
Bologna
This shop in Bologna's famed Quadrilatero neighbourhood specialises in beautifully packaged boxes of traditional Bolognese tortellini stuffed with…
Asad Ventrella: Contemporastudio
Naples
Asad Ventrella is one of Naples' most talented, respected names in jewellery design, producing statement-making wearables that are equally playful,…
