Shopping in Italian Cities

Assisi is one of the most visited hill towns in central Italy's Umbria region. There are many shops selling souvenirs and cheap knickknacks, especially near Saint Francis Basilica, but if you're looking for a unique or special gift, try these artisan boutiques that include art, fashion, kid's clothes, items for your home, and food and wine.

Florence is a good place to shop for artisan crafts, luxurious fashions, shoes, leather, jewelry, perfume, and stationary. If you're looking for luxury shopping or window shopping, head to the streets of Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova, and Via dei Calzaiuoli in the historic center. Around the Central Market are many stalls selling inexpensive souvenirs and clothing. Cross over the Arno for smaller specialty stores.

The walled city of Lucca in Tuscany offers good shops for foodies, artisan workshops, jewelry, and fashion. Via Fillungo, the main shopping street, runs through Lucca's historic center and you'll find some good shops both on that street and other streets nearby.

Naples is known for its nativity workshops that produce figurines and other items for Italian nativity scenes, or presepe. Most of the workshops are on or near Via San Gregorio Armeno in the historic center. Galleria Umberto, across from the San Carlo Opera House, is a historic shopping center and worth a visit even if you don't want to shop. Via Toledo is a more modern street with stores selling clothing and other items.

Perugia, the largest city in central Italy's Umbria region, has shops ranging from specialty boutiques and artisan workshops to high-end fashions. Via dei Priori, and Corso Cavour are two good streets for shopping. Perugia is also known for Baci chocolates and you'll find them for sale in stores and cafes.

Rome offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities with everything from designer fashions to chain and outlet stores, flea markets, and souvenirs. For fashionable shopping, head to the area near the Spanish Steps and for chain stores, try Via del Corso.

Sorrento is a charming town on the Amalfi Peninsula of Southern Italy and a good place to shop. In this article, author Susan Van Allen shares 6 of her favorite shops in Sorrento.

Venice is one of Italy's most popular cities for tourists and there are many souvenir stands selling cheap mass-produced items. But Venice also has historic shops and boutiques selling handmade masks and glass, two products for which Venice is famous.

Central Italy's Umbria region is known for its ceramics, cashmere, textiles, and chocolates. Here's where to go in Umbria to visit artisan workshops and buy local crafts to take home with you.

Shopping for food can be an interesting experience, whether you just want a few picnic items or you're staying in a self-catering vacation rental. Here's a guide to how to shop for food.