Siena
You'll be assailed by the most wonderful smell when entering this pasticceria (pastry shop) next to the medieval Arco delle Due Porte. Established in 1944…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
This striking space dedicated to the work of the pioneering Sent sisters is as sleek as their jewellery: white walls and huge picture windows flood the…
Catania
Tabaré sells the wares of five Catanian artisans. Marisa Casaburi creates whimsical models and sculptures in papier maché, Carla Marletta turns…
Northwestern Tuscany
Across from the old city gate, sacks of beans, chickpeas, walnuts and porcini sit outside this grocer's shop – the chestnut beer, beer made from locally…
Palermo
This quirky gallery-store stocks idiosyncratic works created by numerous local artists and artisans. You'll find photographic images of Palermo…
Naples
Hidden away down a Sanità side street, this vintage chocolatier has been ruining waistlines since 1890. Its selection of dark, milk and white chocolate…
Southern Tuscany
The best-known winery in the area, Morisfarms has a hugely atmospheric 15th-century cantina (wine cellar) in town where you can purchase wines, including…
Palermo
Wear a little Sicilian slang with one of the T-shirts, sweat tops, hats or bags sold at this cool little shop. All bear captions in local dialect, from…
Manarola
A small shop that stocks handy essentials for outdoor adventures, including hiking and trail-running shoes, high-performance T-shirts, hats, sunglasses,…
Palermo
InsimuLab is home to jewellery designers Valeria and Simona and ceramicists Giulia and Davide. The former make highly creative, geometric rings, earrings,…
Santa Croce
In a city known for its specialist independent boutiques, stumbling upon this colourful backstreet shop specialising in hip-hop fashion and street-art…
Syracuse
Ornysun peddles vintage fashion and accessories, with a special focus on the 1950s to 1990s. Step back in time for anything from handmade blouses and cat…
Sorrento
If money isn't an issue, pop into unisex Autori Capresi for a serious costiera (coastal) makeover. Handmade by Campanian tailors, its casually chic linen…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Working with ancient Roman and Middle Eastern techniques, local ceramic artist Stefania Zurchi creates sculptures, reliefs and beautifully decorated…
Lucca
This old-fashioned food shop is easy to spot – look for the shop window stuffed with sacks of beans, lentils and other local pulses. Inside, bottles of…
Trento
The Trentini have a particular pared-back, intellectual elegance and this shop – the latest in three branches – encapsulates that style. It stocks global…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Go Gaga or channel Casanova at this atelier, dedicated to the art of masquerade for over 30 years. Sarria's commedia dell'arte masks are worn by theatre…
Olbia
This shop's name translates as 'desires', and you'll understand why once you see its tempting array of Sardinian food and drink. Choose from pane carasau …
Sorrento
Inspired by local marine life, history and mythology, Alessandro Ottone and his partner Enrica Cerchia create some of Sorrento's most idiosyncratic,…
Naples
Artist and curator Raffaela Naldi Rossano runs Sibilla Cabinet Library, an eco-feminist, critical theory bookshop in her own artist-run space called…
Genoa
A few steps from the Teatro Carlo Felice, the Galleria Mazzini is a resplendent glass-roofed arcade dating from the 1870s that's lined with elegant…
Palermo
World travels and a Siberian childhood inspire Naná Aristova's unique jewellery designs, which include necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. Using…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Pocket-sized Damocle is both a bookshop and publisher, translating literary greats such as Oscar Wilde and Luigi Pirandello, as well as showcasing…
Venice
Beneath all the marble and gilt, Venice is a city of wood, long supported by its carpenters, caulkers, oar-makers and gilders. Master woodcarver Paolo…
Volterra
Federico Pruneti is the youngest member of what is becoming an endangered group: Volterra's alabaster carvers. After studying art and doing a one-year…
Naples
Hidden in the bowels of Naples’ most loved palazzo, Materia Mediterranea is a stylish boutique run by five young Neapolitan designers collaborating to…
Venice
Sleek belts with brushed-steel buckles, satchels, manbags and knee-high red boots: Kalimala makes beautiful leather goods in practical, modern styles…
Centro Storico
On Via dei Coronari, a street renowned for its antique shops, Casali has been dealing in original and reproduction etchings and prints – many delicately…
Centro Storico
A temple to the finer pleasures of the bottle, this stately enoteca stocks a comprehensive selection of Italian and international wines, liqueurs and…
Cosenza
This old town shop is the Cosenza retail showcase for the traditional Armenian-style carpets and tapestries created on Domenico Caruso's historic looms –…
Milan
The former home of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (founder of the futurist movement) has been turned into a three-level store embodying the whimsical style of…
Venice
Glimpse the talents behind the Venetian Carnevale masks that impressed Stanley Kubrick so much he ordered several for his final film Eyes Wide Shut…
Ischia
Stock up on a mouth-watering selection of local produce, from spicy peperoncino (chilli peppers), rum-soaked babà and lemon-cream cannoncelli (pastry…
Syracuse
Fans of contemporary, one-of-kind jewellery will adore Shop 12, run by a young Frenchman who spends his time between Syracuse and Paris. From Medusa…
Sorrento
If you're after an obscure memento, make a pit stop at this little treasure trove. You'll find everything from historic photographs of Sorrento and…
Turin
Torinese women have a very particular version of the Italian bella figura and the mostly Italian designers here (with Japan and France also occasionally…
Naples
A veritable library of fabrics, Fratelli D'Angelo di Donato was founded by brothers Mario, Antonio and Augusto D'Angelo in 1931. Still run by the same…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Soft lighting from the handcrafted lamps on sale illuminates the shop window, making the alluring display of silver jewellery shimmer. Inside, you can…
Venice
Giuliana’s shop is the dream hat-cupboard of any true sartorialist. Styles range from hand-woven Montecristi panama hats to a fuchsia felt number made for…
Genoa
Stock your kitchen from a selection of brightly glazed traditional ceramics and beautiful contemporary kitchenware. This is also the place to buy a…
