Florence hosts the best souvenir shops in Tuscany: for a quickly spotted selection, head to Pegna dal 1860 (delicatessen near the Duomo), the legendary Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (historic perfumes, via della Scala 16), the leather workshops of the Scuola del Cuoio (piazza Santa Croce 16) and the painted ceramics of Sbigoli Terrecotte (via Sant’Egidio 4/r). Their opening hours usually run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and they deliver throughout Europe in 2025.
Must-visit souvenir shops: addresses, hours and specialties 🎁
The historic center can be explored on foot; each address below is less than 15 minutes from the others, perfect between two museums.
| 🏬 Shop | Specialty | Address | Hours 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pegna dal 1860 | Delicatessen & wines 🍷 | Via dello Studio 8 | Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m. |
| Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella | Perfumes & cosmetics 🌸 | Via della Scala 16 | Every day 10 a.m.-7 p.m. |
| Sbigoli Terrecotte | Painted ceramics 🎨 | Via Sant’Egidio 4/r | Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| Scuola del Cuoio | Leather bags & belts 👜 | Piazza Santa Croce 16 | Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. |
| La Bottega del Chianti | Oeno-gastronomic products 🍇 | Borgo Ognissanti 42/r | Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m. |
- 🧴 Consider the 100 ml travel sets from Santa Maria Novella: perfect for cabin luggage.
- 👜 Scuola del Cuoio engraves your initials for free on cardholders.
- 🍶 At La Bottega del Chianti, free tasting of Chianti Classico at 5 p.m.
For other gourmet gift ideas, take a look at this article on Sardinia or also at the specialties of Naples.
Tuscan craft markets and workshops to visit between two museums 🏛️
Covered markets provide access to a full range of crafts while staying sheltered, ideal even in rainy weather.
| 🛒 Market / Workshop | Must-see | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Mercato Centrale Firenze | Cured meats, cheeses, food court 🍕 | San Lorenzo |
| Il Torchio | Typographic printing & notebooks 📚 | Via de’ Benci 21 |
| Bottega Artigiana del Libro | Hand bookbinding & marbled paper ✂️ | Via dell’Anguillara 10 |
| Bottega Fiorentina | Puppets & carved wood 🎭 | Via Guelfa 118/r |
| Principe Firenze | Silk ties & scarves 🧣 | Via de’ Pecori 46/r |
- 🍖 The “Norceria” stall at Mercato Centrale ships vacuum-sealed within the EU.
- 📚 At Il Torchio, you can customize a notebook in 30 minutes.
- 🧣 Principe Firenze offers ready-to-gift packaging.
The San Lorenzo market extends the stroll to the church of the same name; you can find t-shirts and magnets at low prices, perfect for a quick souvenir.
Want to expand your magnet collection? Here is a similar guide written for Brussels.
Focus on Florentine ceramics 🎨
The cobalt blue decorations of Sbigoli Terrecotte are inspired by 15th-century majolica. The artisans gladly explain the production steps; plan 20 minutes to watch the kiln firing.
- 🏺 “Vecchio Ginori” line: small bowls starting from €20.
- 🖋️ Personalization of plates for weddings or birthdays (48-hour lead time).
Gourmet gifts, leather and stationery: what to bring back? 🍯
Florence is one of the few cities where you can gather white truffle, full-grain leather and marbled paper all in one bag.
- 🍯 Truffle & olive oil: prefer the November harvest, available at La Bottega del Chianti.
- 👜 Leather: custom mini pouch at Dimitri Villoresi from €160.
- 📔 Stationery: “carta fiorentina” patterns at Papiro (via de’ Guicciardini 47).
- 📚 Old books: via Santo Spirito is full of vintage lithographs.
To compare with other cultural capitals, also check the addresses in Budapest or the Barcelona guide.
| 🏷️ Product | Budget | Where to buy | Tips 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New olive oil | €15-25 / 0.5 l | Chianti producers | Free tasting 🚗 |
| Mini leather bag | €160-250 | Scuola del Cuoio | Initials free 🖋️ |
| Typographic edition | €30-60 | Il Torchio | Name engraving +€5 |
| “Acqua di S.M. Novella” perfume | €135 / 100 ml | Officina S.M. Novella | Glass refill -10 % |
One-day shopping itinerary: optimize time and budget 🗺️
Here is a route designed for a Saturday, compatible with most opening hours; count on 5 km in total.
- ⏰ 9 a.m.: Cappuccino at Pegna dal 1860, scouting wines.
- 📚 10 a.m.: Workshop at Bottega Artigiana del Libro to have a notebook bound.
- 🍕 12 p.m.: Lunch at Mercato Centrale Firenze, tasting sbriciolona.
- 👜 2 p.m.: Bag fitting at Scuola del Cuoio.
- 🌸 4 p.m.: Fragrant break at Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.
- 🎨 5 p.m.: Painted ceramics at Sbigoli Terrecotte.
- 🍷 6 p.m.: Chianti aperitif at La Bottega del Chianti.
Like an oeno-touristic circuit, this loop alternates shopping and gourmet breaks, just like the route dedicated to Naples presented in this other Italian guide.
What is the most authentic culinary souvenir in Florence?
The sbriciolona, a typical fennel-flower salami, remains the best-seller; it can be found whole or sliced vacuum-packed at Mercato Centrale as well as at Pegna dal 1860.
Can a leather wallet be engraved on site?
Yes; Scuola del Cuoio and Principe Firenze offer laser or hot stamping engraving in less than 20 minutes, usually free with purchase.
Do shops refund VAT for non-EU residents?
Major stores (Officina S.M. Novella, Scuola del Cuoio) offer Tax Free service from €155 purchase; just present your passport.
Where to find Harry Potter items in Italian for children?
Head to Il Torchio: the workshop sells Gryffindor notebooks handbound, an original gift for young bilingual readers.
Do markets accept bank cards?
In 2025: 90% of stands at Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo have terminals. However, bring cash to negotiate a discount on leather goods.
