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The centre of Florence is packed with shops selling everything from designer clothes to second-hands books.

The best time for bargains is during the January and July sales. Also explore the streets away from the centre around Piazza di Santa di Croce, Piazza dei Compi and Piazza di Santo Spirito where craftsmen are busy at work.

The main chain store in Florence is "Coin"and "Rinascente" in the Piazza della Repubblica.

When to Shop

Generally shops open around 9am and close at 1pm. In the afternoon they are open from 3:30pm to 7:30pm in winter, and from 4pm to 8pm in summer. In Florence, shops close on Monday morning in winter, and on Saturday afternoon in summer. Most shops and markets close for two or three weeks around 15 August, the ferragosto, national holiday.

Fashion

In Florence, the big names in Italian fashion, such as Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada and Enrico Coveri are mostly found in Via de Tornabuoni. In Via della Vigna Nuova you’ll find Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino.

Toiletries

For toiletries and beauty products head to a "profumeria"; an herbalist dispenses a range of natural products. "Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella" is worth a visit; it is a frescoed apothecary shop, started in the 16th century by Dominican friars, this is more like a museum than a perfume shop situated on Via della Scala, selling products from the elixirs of the Camaldoli monks to herbal remedies and soaps.

Art and Antiques

Florence has been noted for its craftsmen, especially gold and silver smiths. Most visitors interested in gold or silver jewelry head for the Ponte Vecchio and its tiny shops. Go to "Torrini", whose family has produced jewellery in Florence for six centuries, and to "Buccellati" famous for its diamond wedding rings. For lovers of art there is "Fallani Best" and for top-quality antiques go to "Neri". "Mosaico di Pitti" has tables and framed pictures made with the old technique of marble inlay.

Food and Wine

For typical Tuscan food you should go to "Pegna", a small supermarket in the heart of Florence that stocks fresh foods and a vast selection of delicacies. For wines, one of the best shops is the "Enoteca Bonattim" where you’ll find a wide selection of Italian wines and other local products. In "Zanobini" you can by wine and you can join with locals and have chat with a glass of good local wine.

Florence’s Markets

Florence is rich in open-air markets. Various markets of the antique dealing are carried out monthly.

Florence has its antique market on the last Sunday of every month in Piazza dei Ciompi. It can be found of all: furniture, sculptures, marbles, but also clocks, jewels, plates and glasses.

Florence’s central market is the "Mercato Centrale". It is housed in two floors building, built in 1874 by Giuseppe Mengoni. It is Florence’s busiest food market, selling meat, fish, cheese and typical Tuscany food on the ground floor, and vegetables, fruit and flowers on the top floor.

"Mercato Nuovo" or New Market sells leather goods and souvenirs. It was originally built in 1547 as a central market for silk and other luxury goods. For the flower lovers can be interesting small "Mercato delle Piante", selling herbs and ornamental plants.

For more information visit

• Markets in Tuscany