Wandering around a local market, browsing among the handmade crafts, snacking on delicious and freshly-made treats, enjoying the hustle and bustle and flavour of the atmosphere... these are the things that we rarely have enough time for in our daily lives but that we can readily indulge in when on vacation in Tuscany. So, find your villa in Tuscany and then visit some of her incredible local markets to get a real taste for the unique charms and atmosphere and to relax and indulge during your getaway...
Mercato Centrale, Via Buontalenti, Livorno
Livorno’s Mercato Centrale, also known as the Mercato delle Vettovaglie (Market of the Provision) or Mercato Coperto (Covered Market), can be found on the Fosso Reale, the city’s canal that leads to comparison to a little Venice on the Tuscan Coast. In a beautiful iron, glass, and brick building designed by Angiolo Badaloni, begun in 1889-1890 and quickly completed at great cost by 1894, the market has particularly lovely surroundings. However, it is the stalls within that boast the greatest treasures: a wealth of impossibly fresh produce and fish, artisanal cheeses and cold cuts, baked goods, trinkets, and more that attract visitors and locals alike. So, if you have found a villa on the Tuscan Coast and are exploring the charming town of Livorno, be sure to pop by to snack, stock up, and experience the magical Old World grandeur of the place.
Porcellino Market, Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, Florence
This market in Florence, famous for the statue of a wild boar named The Piglet in its centre, is known for incredible stalls selling leather goods. If you have found a villa in Florence, then head to the square between Tuesday and Sunday and seek out high-quality leather products, including bags, purses, wallets, belts, and more. From 9am to 7pm, head to this excellent market and find some of the fine leather goods that the city is renowned for, to bring home as perfect souvenirs and gifts. While you’re there, be sure to place a coin in the boar’s mouth and rub its nose for luck.
Pescia Flower Markets, Via Salvo D'Acquisto, Pescia
Pescia, a charming city in the province of Pistoia, was once known as a major centre of silk production and is now famous for flowers. It is, in fact, a key centre for the Italian and international floriculture industry. There are two different flower markets located on this same street - the Old Flower Market in an open but covered-over 1950s space and the Mercato dei Fiori in a giant modern building – and in each, great quantities of flowers are bought and sold every day. For flower-lovers who might be exploring the area, the vast number of blooms is a sight to behold and there are few other markets like it in the world. Plus, picking up some beautiful flowers is the perfect way to adorn one of our villas in Tuscany during your stay!
Arezzo Antiques Fair, Piazza Grande, Arezzo
The Fiera Antiquaria, or Antiques Fair, takes place over weekends all throughout the year in Arezzo, on the first Sunday of each month (along with the Saturday the day before). It is one of Italy’s biggest and oldest antiques fairs and sets the charming medieval centre of the town abuzz with buyers and sellers of all sorts of antique goods. In fact, over 200,000 visitors and 400 different exhibitors of goods come to Arezzo each year, taking over much of the centre of the city, particularly the Piazza Grande. First established in 1968, the fair has over 50 years of experience and is a well-oiled machine and one of the largest and most impressive examples in Europe. Book your vacation rental in Tuscany and come to town to browse the endless stalls and sellers and wonders, find yourself a special treasure, and then grab a coffee nearby and sit out to watch the hustle and bustle and characters of the fair!
Mercato Centrale, Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Florence
Located in the San Lorenzo area of the city, just a few minutes from the Cathedral by foot, the Mercato Centrale is one of Florence’s most famous and important markets and a key hub for foodies who are holidaying in the city as well as a fixture for locals living and working in the area. A two-level, indoor market, the Mercato Centrale is is open daily from Sunday to Thursday, from 9am to 11pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, from 9am to midnight. Here, you can pick up artisanal goods, fresh produce, and full meals. You can stock up on bread and freshly baked goods, fresh fish, cheeses and charcuterie, fine wines, chocolate, gelato, fresh pasta, truffles, and other delights from their passionate artisan traders to enjoy back home in your holiday rental in Florence. Or, if you have been darting around, exploring the city, stop in for traditional Florentine street food like the Lampredotto sandwich, snacks from other regions of Italy, slices of pizza, burgers, glasses of wine, pints of beer, coffee, dessert, and much more besides before heading home to your villa in Tuscany full of good food, culture, and memories after a day in Florence!
