Markets in Town
Florence is full of bustling and colorful markets that provide a great place to find bargains, enjoy the exciting atmosphere, or to spend the day browsing at the unique and extraordinary antiques, artisan crafts, and delicious typical food that Florence has to offer.
Florence's markets are an integral part of local life and can be found throughout the many districts of the city. Here is a list of some of the most frequented markets in town:
San Lorenzo Market
The San Lorenzo market has it all, but is best known for its selection of leather accessories such as hand-bound journals, wallets, belts, and larger leather items such as hand crafted jackets and fur.
The San Lorenzo Market also has a great selection of souvenir clothing, stationary, ceramics, shoes, vintage clothing, and scarves. If you are looking for a deal it is most likely that you will find it here!
When:
9:00am - 8:00pm
The hours may vary slightly depending on the weather and season.
What to buy:
Leather goods, jackets, scarves, stationary
Where:
Piazza San Lorenzo
Mercato Centrale
Florence's central market, Mercato Centrale, was once the main shopping center in Florence and today it is still the place to find the freshest products and produce.There are stands selling everything from all kinds of fowl, meats (including wild boar), fish and Tuscan products including wine, biscotti, cheese, and salami. Mercato Centrale also has a handful of restaurants located inside that offer fantastic fresh meals at very inexpensive prices.
When:
7:00am to 2:00pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays
What to buy:
Food
Where:
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo, Florence, 50123
Mercato Nuovo and the Porcellino
Mercato Nuovo has been around since the 11th century. It is a small market located just under the loggia and sells leather goods, t-shirts, scarves, and souvenirs. As prices go, the Mercato of San Lorenzo is a bit cheaper but the market is still worth a walk through!
Just outside the stalls to the south is a statue of a boar that is known as il Porcellino. Legend is that if you rub his snout and put a coin in his mouth, you’ll return to Florence.
When:
Open everyday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where:
Loggia del Mercato Nuovo
50122, Florence
Santo Spirito Antique market
If you are looking for antiques and house wares this is a great place to look!
When:
The second Sunday of every month Spirito flea market.
What to buy:
Antiques
Where:
Piazza Santo Spirito
Florence 50125
Fierucola Farmer’s Market in Santo Spirito
The Fierucola is not just your typical farmers market, it features both artisan crafts, as well as organic produce, oils, jams, wines, and baked goods. The Fierucola market is a feast for all of the senses and is definitely worth visiting!
When:
On the third Sunday of the month
What to buy:
Organic products sold by local merchants
Where:
Piazza Santo Spirito
Florence 50125
Piazza dei Ciompi Flea Market
If you're lucky enough to go there on the last Sunday of every month, the stalls extend into the surrounding streets. Here you can find furniture and vintage objects from the past like prints, coins and jewelry. It's worth a trip if only to get insights on Italy's past through the artifacts displayed in these cluttered stalls.
When:
Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 7:30 pm and on the last Sunday of the month.
Where:
Sant'Ambrogio
Florence, 50122
Le Cascine Flea Market
Le Cascine market is situated in the very beautiful Cascine Park, and is worth a visit just to admire the beautiful views. After a day of walking through the cobblestone streets and awing at the amazing architecture it is hard to believe that a green park such as the Cascine exists so close to the city center. The Cascine Market is the biggest and cheapest market in town! If you're searching for fruits, vegetables, clothing, house ware stands, antiquities, shoes, vintage, or anything lese you can think of, this is the place to come!
When:
Tuesdays from 7:00am to 2:00pm
Where:
Viale Lincoln in the Cascine Park
How to get there:
The easiest way to access the Cascine from the city center is by taking the Tramvia (from the Santa Maria Novella Station). It is the second stop and takes all of 5 minutes, the stop is “Cascine” so there is no confusion. If you would like to walk to the Cascine from the city center just follow the Arno river down past Ponte della Vittoria bridge and you have arrived (takes about 25 minutes).
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
The Sant'Ambrogio market is both indoor and outdoor. Walk around to discover fresh fruits and vegetables, clothes, flowers, shoes and house ware stands. Then, move inside to discover a large selection of fresh meat and fish, pasta, general groceries and a wide array of farm direct cheeses. Sant'Ambrogio market also has a handful of restaurants located inside that offer fantastic fresh meals at very inexpensive prices.
When:
Open everyday except Sundays and holidays
7:00am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Where:
Piazza Ghiberti, off Via dei Macci
Florence, 50122
Mercato dei Fiori (Flower Market)
The selection is extensive and includes everything from herbs and flowers to palms and cactus. Even if you aren't looking to buy a mazzo (bunch or bouquet) of flowers, this market is worth a browse for its shear beauty.
When:
Every Thursday morning from September through June the covered loggia in Piazza della Repubblica hosts a Mercato dei Fiori
What to buy: Flowers
Where:
Piazza della Repubblica
Florence, 50123
