Must-see shopping in Mediterranean Europe

  • Per Voi Giovani

    Naples

    The very idea of ‘vintage’ clothing emerged in Naples in WWII when resourceful Neapolitans collected Allied army uniforms to repurpose and sell on the…

  • Ars Neapolitana

    Naples

    Guglielmo Muoio sold his first pastore (nativity-scene figurine) at age 13. More than a decade on, the talented artisan has even exhibited at the European…

  • Drap-Art

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    A non-profit arts organisation runs this small gallery space devoted to wild designs made from recycled and reused products. Works change regularly, but…

  • Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni

    Central Tuscany

    The largest and best known of the local wine producers, Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni produces a Chianti Classico, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chicolino…

  • Bazar Matey

    Madrid

    Bazar Matey is a wonderful store catering to collectors of model trains, aeroplanes and cars, and all sorts of accessories. The items here are the real…

  • Paolo Olbi

    Venice

    Thoughts worth committing to paper deserve Paolo Olbi’s keepsake books, albums and stationery, whose fans include Hollywood actors and NYC mayors (ask to…

  • Banco Lotto 10

    Venice

    Prison orange is out and plum silk velvet is in at this nonprofit boutique, where hand-sewn fashions are the fruit of a retraining program at the women’s…

  • Lanapo

    Monterosso

    This tiny boutique seems like it was plucked straight from Milan and plunked onto the cobblestones of Monterosso – perhaps not surprising given designer…

  • Castroni

    Vatican City, Borgo & Prati

    Founded in 1932, this historic food shop (and the anchor location of a small local chain) is an Aladdin’s cave of gourmet treats. Towering, ceiling-high…

  • Roberto & Victoria

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Jeweller duo Roberto Carrascosa and Victoria Aroca handcraft exquisite, unique pieces in gold, silver, brass and semiprecious stones at their intimate,…

  • Alimentaria Gastronomia

    Bellagio

    A deli-cum–grocery shop piled high with Larian goodies, among them dried porcini mushrooms, DOP Laghi Lombardi-Lario olive oil, missoltini (dried fish)…

  • Majolica

    Taormina

    Siblings Maria and Elvira handcraft upbeat, contemporary ceramics in their workshop-cum-store, hidden away on a Taormina side street. Bright, vibrant…

  • Taller de Marionetas Travi

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Going strong since 1977, this atmospheric shop revolves around beautifully handcrafted marionettes, many of them made by owner Teresa Travieso herself…

  • Ceramiche Gaspare Patti

    Mediterranean Coast

    Sciacca has a tradition of ceramic production and there are numerous shops selling colourful crockery. For something more original, visit this Aladdin's…

  • Camuffo

    Venice

    Kids, entomologists and glass collectors seek out Signor Camuffo in this cabinet of miniature natural wonders. Expect to find him wielding a blowtorch as…

  • Cistercian Convent

    Gran Canaria

    A divine aura of sorts hangs over Teror, a fitting place to find snacks handmade by nuns. Climb up steep Calle Herrería, next to the museum, until you…

  • De Cervesia

    Lucca

    Swill down picnics with your choice of 200 different Italian craft beers at this beer shop on Lucca's main shopping street, with a tap room for serious…

  • Antica Drogheria Manganelli

    Siena

    This drogheria (grocery shop) been in business since 1879, and has retained high standards for the duration. Come here to source delectable panforte …

  • Cacao Sampaka

    L'Eixample

    Chocoholics will be convinced they have died and passed on to a better place. Load up on every conceivable flavour (rosemary, perhaps, or curry?) or head…

  • reVOLVER

    Ibiza Town

    Known for its carefully curated couture collections, reVOLVER is all about subtly luxurious dresses, shirts, jeans and shoes from the likes of Kenzo,…

  • 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…

  • SuperGulp

    Milan

    Fumetti (comics) are an obsession in Italy, and SuperGulp caters well with racks and racks of beautifully illustrated classic, popular and fantasy comics,…

  • Adolfo Domínguez

    L'Eixample

    One of the stars of Spanish prêt-à-porter, this label produces classic men’s and women’s garments from quality materials. Encompassing anything from regal…

  • Almacén de Pontejos

    Madrid

    Describing what this shop sells – fabrics, buttons and all manner of knick-knacks for dressmakers – only tells half the story. It's one of many such…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Sabor Guijuelo

    Castilla y León

    You could pick any of the shops around town selling embutidos (cured meats), but this excellent little place is just a stone's throw from the Plaza Mayor…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Catalina House

    Barcelona

    After its decade-long success on the Balearic island of Formentera, Catalina House now has a second branch in Barcelona's Sant Gervasi. Sustainable…

  • Holala! Plaza

    El Raval

    Backing on to Carrer de Valldonzella, this Ibiza import is inspired by the Balearic island’s long-established (and now somewhat commercialised) hippie…

  • Hisar Area

    Ankara

    The alleyways southeast of the Parmak Kapısı entrance to the citadel were traditionally the centre for trading in angora wool. Walk downhill on…

  • Mercat de Sant Jordi

    South Ibiza

    Ibiza is full of overpriced 'hippy' markets but this quirky secondhand affair, in the dust bowl of an old horse-and-buggy racetrack, is something else. It…

  • Casa Atlântica

    Barcelona

    The delicate basketry and beautiful custom-designed bowls, mugs, plant pots, vases and other ceramics dotting this charming studio-boutique are created by…

  • Il Talismano

    Vernazza

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

  • 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…

  • 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…

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