Markets in Florence

Markets in Florence, Italy

The San Lorenzo leather market ★★★

The streets around the Medici family church are now filled with a daily outdoor market of leather goods, T-shirts, and other excellent Florentine souvenirs. I get much of my holiday shopping done here (who doesn't appreciate a leather wallet or belt straight from Florence?)... » more

Mercato Centrale - For great picnic pickings—not to mention photo ops—head to Florence's 19th-century covered food market, snuggled behind the outdoor stalls of the San Lorenzo leather market. It looks a bit like a old grandiose train station inside, all dingy glass and steel struts, but actually was purpose-designed to be a market in 1870–74 by the same guy who did Milan's famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Giuseppe Mengoni... entrances on Via dell'Ariento and Piazza del Mercato Centrale. Open Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat 7am–2pm, 4–7:30pm. » more

Mercato Nuovo - Florence's old covered "Straw Market" (a.k.a. Mercato del Porcellino) actually dates back to the 11th century, but has been called the "New Market" since 1551, when it became shaded by a lovely Renaissance loggia. It still has a stall or two selling straw hats and bags, but mostly it's tourist souvenirs now... Via Calimala/Via Por Santa Maria at Via Porta Rossa. Closed Sun–Mon in winter. » more