Visiting the old Markets in Florence

Florence is a shopping mecca for many who are drawn to the city for its supple leather or fine Italian cashmere goods. There is no shortage of fancy Florentine fashion boutiques, but a fantastic way to get your shopping fix while also experiencing the sensational streets of the city is by taking a tour of the old markets in Florence. These venues are part farmers market, part flea market and, due to their history, uniquely Florentine.

A Florence guided tour that includes visits to the city’s old markets will be a highlight of any Tuscan holiday. There are two markets in particular that should be explored to get the true flavor of Florence: the Mercato Sant’Ambrogio and the Mercato San Lorenzo. Due to their proximity and different opening hours, it is possible to visit them both in a single day.

Mercato SantAmbrogio

The indoor/outdoor Sant’Ambrogio market has catered to Florentines since 1873. Outside, the market sells farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, seasonal specialities such as truffles, and there are many bargains to be found if you are looking for clothes or useful items for the home. Indoors, you will find cheese vendors, fish mongers and butchers selling the freshest cuts of meat that will soon appear on local kitchen tables.

Situated in Piazza Ghiberti, the Mercato Sant’Ambrogio can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo. Despite its relatively central location, it is slightly off the beaten path, and you will notice the numbers of tourists drop dramatically as you move away from the Duomo. English is more limited among some vendors, but communication is always possible in Italy when you use your face and hands to express yourself!

Mercato San Lorenzo

Like the Mercato Sant’Ambrogio, the Mercato San Lorenzo is like two marketplaces in one.

The two-story “Central Market” of the Mercato San Lorenzo has been recently expanded to accommodate more shoppers. Downstairs, shoppers from nearby neighborhoods as well as distant countries can select seasonal produce, farm-fresh meats and cheeses, and local specialities like Tuscan olive oil.

Upstairs, there are restaurants and cafes for a rejuvenating meal or cup of espresso. Kiosks with vendors from nearby wineries offer wine tasting, and can arrange convenient shipments abroad if you do not want to carry your Chianti with you. The view from the upstairs marketplace of the shoppers below is prime people-watching! Most all of the vendors at the Mercato San Lorenzo easily accommodate English-speaking tourists.

Private day trips Tuscany tours introduce tourists to the charming old markets so that you will feel more like a Florentine citizen on a weekly shopping run than a tourist overwhelmed by the competing sensations of colors, scents, flavors and textures.