Brandimarte
Santa Maria Novella
Most people want to buy gold when they come to Florence (for which it is justly famous). That said, Brandimarte, which has specialized in exquisitely crafted silver objects since 1955, is well worth a visit.
3 Best Shopping in Florence, Italy
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Window-shopping in Florence is like visiting an enormous contemporary art gallery. Many of today's greatest Italian artists are fashion designers, and most keep shops in Florence. Discerning shoppers may find bargains in the street markets. Do not buy any knockoff goods from any of the hawkers plying their fake Prada (or any other high-end designer) on the streets. It's illegal, and fines are astronomical if the police happen to catch you. (You pay the fine, not the vendor.)
Shops are generally open 9 to 1 and 3:30 to 7:30, and are closed Sunday and Monday mornings most of the year. Summer (June to September) hours are usually 9 to 1 and 4 to 8, and some shops close Saturday afternoon instead of Monday morning. When looking for addresses, you'll see two color-coded numbering systems on each street. The red numbers are commercial addresses and are indicated, for example, as 31/r. The blue or black numbers are residential addresses. Most shops take major credit cards and ship purchases, but because of possible delays it's wise to take your purchases with you.
The usual fashion suspects—Prada, Gucci, Versace, to name but a few—all have shops in Florence. But if you want to buy Florentine in Florence, stick to Gucci, Pucci, and Ferragamo.
Bargains on Italian designer clothing can be found outside the city.
Paolo Carandini
Santa Croce
Stop in here for exquisite leather picture frames, jewelry boxes, and desk accessories.
Pitti Mosaici
Palazzo Pitti
Stones are worked into exquisite tables, pictures, and jewelry at Pitti Mosaici, which continues the pietre dure tradition that was all the rage of 16th-century Florence.
