Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
This small but flavour-packed delicatessen is a good place to pick up all sorts of Italian delicacies – fine cured meats, buffalo mozzarella from Campania…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Eastern Sardinia
This art gallery showcases works by contemporary artists such as Antonio Corriga, Vittorio Calvi and Franco Carenti. Oils and watercolours predominate…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
This large cartoleria (stationery shop) stocks beautiful printed paper, cards and envelopes that will inspire you to bring back the art of letter writing,…
Venice
A much-loved antiques flea market held several weekends a year; check the website for dates. Head in early for the best finds, among them vintage Campari…
Naples
Even the doors heave with gourmet grub at this jam-packed little deli. Fill your bags with everything from pasta, macaroons and grappa (Italian pomace…
Centro Storico
Interior design classics from the 1940s to '70s star at this elegant showroom. Prepare to swoon over sexy retro glassware, Bakelite jewellery,…
Monterosso
A small but handy shop for picking up provisions, this chain has all the essentials for a gourmet picnic. You'll find cheeses, cured meats, wines, craft…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Contemporary lamps become works of art at Artemide, an Italian powerhouse for lighting design since 1960. Some of the world's greatest designers and…
Vernazza
A few steps from the train station, this food shop (part of Cinque Terre–wide grocery chain) has reasonably priced fruits and vegetables, cheeses, cured…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Specialising in everything mare (sea) related, this 'concept bookstore' stocks maritime books (some in English), nautical charts, binoculars, pirate flags…
Venice
Venice artisan Ninfa Salerno gives staid pearl strands a sense of humour with bouncy black rubber, weaves fuchsia rubber discs into glowing UFO necklaces,…
Matera
Locally crafted ceramics, sculptures chiselled from the Materan tufa (limestone), lamps, animal figurines and other objets d'art can all be found at this…
Vietri sul Mare
Located at the entrance to town, and with a convenient car park, the showroom here has a great choice of ceramics, including some reasonably priced and…
Perugia
An old-school record shop featuring rows and rows of new and used vinyl, CDs and musical paraphernalia. From jazz to punk, new wave to krautrock, most…
Montepulciano
In the leather goods business since 1848, local success story Maledetti manufactures good-quality shoes, bags, coats and belts. This is the clothing store…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This bookshop, set over three floors, has a good range of Italian literature, reference books and travel guides, as well as CDs, a cheery children’s…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
Near the Vatican, this art deco–style covered market is a workaday stalwart, but can still be relied upon for good fruit and picnic fare. Amid the…
Venice
Italian design sensibilities meet Venetian trading smarts at this fair-trade boutique on the steps of the Rialto. It sells everything from organic…
Livorno
Head here in the morning to join the local shoppers making their purchases from open-air stalls full of violet artichokes, golden courgette flowers, hot…
Rome
A point of reference for DJs in the capital, this store stocks a comprehensive range of high-tech DJ gear as well as tunes: hip-hop, house, trance, disco,…
Ventimiglia
The honey bees of the Italian Riviera make some sublimely delicious product. This shop has a huge range of honey, including many naturally scented with…
Venice
Whether you're after a Venice-set Donna Leon detective novel or a hefty tome on Venetian history or art, this large bookshop stocks a solid range of…
San Polo & Santa Croce
This store sells women's clothing in luxury natural fabrics from Italian fashion labels you can't find elsewhere in the city. There's also a small range…
Verona
Brand-new 'concept' wine shop where over 300 reds and whites are stored in funkily stacked cardboard tubes, each one linked to the arts in some …
Bologna
Championing a rebel aesthetic, this art gallery/design shop mash-up sells vinyl, art-driven souvenirs, hipster backpacks and often punk-rock or revolution…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Combining bold prints, patterns and fabrics to create pieces for women who like to stand out in a crowd, Alessia Santi's designs are popular with young…
Venice
Call in for top-notch artisanal chocolate, regional wine, speciality Veneto grappa and other gourmet temptations, including aged balsamic vinegar and…
Siena
Spreading around Fortezza Medicea and towards the Stadio Comunale, this is one of Tuscany's largest markets and is great for cheap clothing; food is also…
Venice
Even pulp fiction becomes high art at Charta, where favourite books are custom-bound in bespoke covers. Customised titles run into the hundreds of euros.
Oltrarno
Hand-stitched leather is the cornerstone of this tiny family business specialising in ready-to-wear – and made-to-measure – men's and women's shoes.
Venice
In Venice even the supermarkets are beautiful! Try not to be distracted by the painted ceilings and marbled walls while you hunt for milk and tea bags.
Ischia
Pricey and gorgeous womenswear: silk and linen skirts and kaftans to keep you cool in every sense, plus sandals, brogues, and tassled and beaded bags.
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
A temple-like boutique that’s more like a gallery than a perfumerie, this atelier à parfums sells highly desirable artisanal fragrances.
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
One of several smashing delis along this pretty street, Salumeria Focacci sells cheese, cold cuts, smoked fish, caviar, pasta, olive oil and wine.
Turin
Inside the modern Lingotto building, 8 Gallery has some 90 stores, plus a multi-screen cinema, supermarket, eclectic eateries and a post office.
The Veneto
By the river in Este, this is one of the oldest ceramics factories in Europe, producing elaborate pieces and brightly coloured dinner services.
Verona
Verona's main modern shopping mall boasts 100 shops and around 20 eateries. Take bus 61 to Viale delle Nazioni stop, or the 62 to Largo Perlar.
Cagliari
Head to this pocket-sized covered market to brush up on your italiano at stalls laden with fresh fruit, cheese, wine, meat and bread.
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Admire some of the world’s finest jewellery in the sumptuous windows of this luxury Italian jewel house and then enter if you dare.
Udine
This elegant 1940s covered shopping arcade links the market on Via Zanon with the historic centre and is lined with big-brand shops.
