Imagine, if you will, a holiday in Florence. Not one filled with stuffy queues and running around endlessly from tourist sight to tourist sight but one in which you utterly take your time. Of course, you'll still probably find time to catch a glimpse of Michelangelo's “David” or visit a Medici palace but calmly, leisurely. In the morning, you might forego breakfast at home in the luxury villa in Florence that you've found and, instead, wander to one of the many markets the city has to offer. You can grab some food at a stall, people-watch and then check out the other wares available. Maybe you'll spend the day doing so, in fact. Here are the best of them.
One of the most famous and important market spaces in the city is the San Lorenzo markets which are comprised of two distinct markets. One, the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) is a two-level, indoor market and the other is an outdoor space in which stalls are set up to sell leather, clothing and souvenirs. However, it is really the food market of Mercato Centrale which we would recommend - the other being nothing special and often selling goods which aren't of a particularly good quality. The Mercato Centrale is open 7am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday with butchers, fishmongers and delis on the main floor and fruit and vegetable sellers on the top floor. It's the place where locals do their shopping and local workers grab lunch.
The selection of products is great and really authentic and you can easily grab Florentine traditional street-foods such as Lampredotto.
Once you're well-fed at the Mercato Centrale, you might be energised enough for a good rummage through a treasure trove of possibilities, unique souvenirs and gifts. If so, the market at Piazza Ciompi is just the thing for you!
The little piazza houses a flea market which is open daily and sells everything from postcards, to furniture, to jewellery.
On the last Sunday of each month, it expands into the surrounding streets if you're in the mood for some serious shopping but on a daily basis you'll still be able to find vintage clothing, books, magazines, antiques and more.
In fact, there are so many fantastic markets in Florence that you'll have to read our second article to take note of some more to visit during your next trip!
Once you're well-fed at the Mercato Centrale, you might be energised enough for a good rummage through a treasure trove of possibilities, unique souvenirs and gifts. If so, the market at Piazza Ciompi is just the thing for you!
The little piazza houses a flea market which is open daily and sells everything from postcards, to furniture, to jewellery.
On the last Sunday of each month, it expands into the surrounding streets if you're in the mood for some serious shopping but on a daily basis you'll still be able to find vintage clothing, books, magazines, antiques and more.
In fact, there are so many fantastic markets in Florence that you'll have to read our second article to take note of some more to visit during your next trip!
Photo credits
picture 2: Freepenguin / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Rufus46 / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Freepenguin / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Rufus46 / CC BY-SA 3.0
