Must-see shopping in Italy

  • L’Arco Antico D'Artuono

    Amalfi

    Amalfi’s connection with papermaking dates back to the 12th century, when the first mills were set up to supply the republic’s small army of bureaucrats…

  • Mercatino dell'Umberto

    Naples

    Hit the stalls on Via Imbriani for well-priced fashionable frocks, jumpers and cardigans, tasteful bijou jewellery, shoes, high-end fakes and the odd…

  • Bowinkel

    Naples

    The city's finest vintage prints, photographs, paintings and frames. If you can't find what you're looking for here, check out its sister branch at Via…

  • Antica Macelleria di Francesco Esposito

    Ischia

    This century-old deli is gourmet foodie heaven. Drop in from 8am for fresh mozzarella and wood-fired casareccio bread, plus a lip-smacking choice of…

  • Antico Mercato

    Syracuse

    Near the harbour is Syracuse’s produce market, a sea of red-canopied stalls bursting with fresh mussels, oysters, octopus and shellfish. You'll also find…

  • Segni nel Tempo

    Venice

    Not so much a bookshop as a tiny time machine, Segni's cramped shelves might reveal a 16th-century edition of Giovanni Pontano's De Prudentia or a History…

  • Arras Tessuti

    Venice

    The plush, handwoven silk-and-wool wraps piled high on Arras’ shelves represent the combined efforts of this weaving cooperative, which offers vocational…

  • Il Talismano

    Vernazza

    A fabulous place to browse, this atmospheric shop sells beautiful jewellery (horn bracelets, vintage silver earrings, amber necklaces), bags made from…

  • Francesco Tagliente

    Trieste

    The streets of Trieste's Jewish ghetto were once filled with antique shops and a few remain among the bars and cafes that have sprung up more recently…

  • 18 del Pero

    Como

    This smart little shop is run by designer Simona Trombetta, responsible for much of the well-priced contemporary jewellery made with brass, bronze, silver…

  • Sorelle Piredda

    Cagliari

    For haute couture with history, search out this oh-so-stylish Castello boutique. The shop itself is a sight, set over a Punic cistern and ancient Roman…

  • Talarico

    Naples

    Mario Talarico and his nephew have turned the humble umbrella into a work of art. Sought after by heads of state, each piece is a one-off, with mother-of…

  • Arcobaleno

    Venice

    After seeing umpteen Venetian masterpieces, anyone’s fingers will start twitching for a paintbrush. Arcobaleno provides the raw materials, its shelves…

  • Mauro Bolognesi

    Milan

    Midcentury shops are surprisingly thin on the ground in Milan (presumably because everyone was wise enough to hold onto their hand-me-down Arco lamps and…

  • Emilia

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Doyenne Emilia di Ammendola, a third-generation lace-maker, has passed on her skills to her children who are continuing the family tradition in this…

  • Ballarin

    Venice

    If you're looking for something distinctively Venetian, check out this Aladdin's cave. An old-fashioned dealer and artisan restorer, Valter Ballarin has a…

  • Colosseum Bookshop

    Ancient Rome

    The Colosseum's bookshop, on the monument's second floor, stocks a comprehensive selection of archaeological guides, as well as children's books and…

  • Qshop

    Venice

    In addition to its sumptuous range of art and design books, the shop of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia offers a highly curated selection of glass,…

  • Bartolucci

    Centro Storico

    It's difficult to resist going into this magical toyshop where everything is carved out of wood. By the main entrance, a Pinocchio pedals his bike…

  • Cinque Terre Trekking

    Manarola

    If you're eager to get out and do some hiking but didn't bring the right gear, head uphill from the harbour to reach this outdoor outfitter. You can pick…

  • Fratelli Laise

    Lipari

    About two-thirds of the way down from Marina Lunga to Marina Corta, a lush, technicolour fruit display announces the presence of this traditional…

  • Anna Grindi Atelier

    Northeastern Sardinia

    Tempio native Anna Grindi works magic in this innovative clothing shop, which sells dresses, shoes and bags made entirely of native Sardinian cork. Using…

  • Artigianato d'Arte di Mauro Vianello

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    A coral reef's worth of painstakingly detailed glass Nemos, seahorses, starfish, jellyfish and seashells fills the window of this little glass studio…

  • Il Museo del Louvre

    Centro Storico

    Giuseppe Casetti's collection of vintage black-and-white photos, art prints, leather-bound tomes, exhibition catalogues and posters is on show for all to…

  • a 'nacalora

    Syracuse

    A gorgeous little boutique that sells designer clothes, shoes and accessories for little style icons in training. Go gaga over super-cute jumpsuits,…

  • Rural

    Parma

    The owners of the former Salumeria Grisenti have gone green: this small but fantastic market now specialises in organic Tuscan-Ligurian-Emilian products…

  • Casa della Pelle

    Siena

    Everything at the House of Leather is made by master craftsman Paolo Infunti on-site, including the extraordinary medieval-style armour that Game of…

  • La Bottega del Tartufo

    Perugia

    Ubiquitous on menus across central Italy, Umbria's truffles are a much vaunted regional speciality. This suitably aromatic store, one of a nationwide…

  • Comics Bazar

    Centro Storico

    Originally founded as a comics shop, this Aladdin's cave is crammed to its rafters with antiques. Make your way through the lamps that hang like jungle…

  • Betty Page Boudoir

    Genoa

    Owned by one of Genoa's best fashion eyes, this colourful little shop is a two-decades historic centre veteran. Labels are diverse, from Italian hard…

  • Sapori di Sardegna

    Cagliari

    Roberto, his brother and their enthusiastic team do a brisk trade in glorious Sardinian food at this breezy Marina emporium. Stop by for the finest…

  • Tre Erre Ceramiche

    Palermo

    Colours pop at this family-owned ceramics showroom. There's an extensive range of vibrant, handmade items, from egg cups, platters and vases to Med-chic…

  • Terracotta Ceramiche di Caltagirone

    Syracuse

    This is where the cognoscenti (including Dolce & Gabbana) head for beautiful ceramics from Caltagirone, a central Sicilian town famed for its ceramic…

  • Il Pavone di Paolo Pelosin

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    Consider Paolo’s hand-bound marbled-paper journals and photo albums a challenge: now it’s up to you to create Venice memories worthy of such inspired…

  • Foto Veneta Ottica

    Milan

    This 1930s studio is a blast from the past with its wood-framed cabinets packed with frames, ranging from vintage '60s butterfly lenses to chic modern…

  • La Botteguccia de Giovanni

    Positano

    Come here for leather sandals handmade by craftsman Giovanni in his small workroom at the back of the shop. Choose a colour and any decorative flourishes…

  • Leonardo

    Venice

    Hiding in plain sight on touristy Strada Nova, this authentic Murano glass shop stocks jewellery from some of Venice's very best glass artists, many of…

  • Casa del Parmigiano

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    Suitably set beside the appetite-piquing Rialto Market, cheery Casa del Parmigiano heaves with coveted cheeses, from potent parmigiano reggiano (Parmesan)…

  • Enoteca Sciacchetrà

    Vernazza

    Pick up a fine bottle of Nebbiolo or Montepulciano at this welcoming small wine shop on the main drag. You'll also find Sciacchetrà (dessert wine local to…

  • Studiocinque e altro

    Trieste

    A former screen-printing factory, with beautiful original architecture, is home to this interesting textiles workshop and retail shop. Triestine designers…

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