Milan
A firm favourite with fashionistas on a budget, Mauro Leone's handmade-in-Italy footwear offers style for between €50 and €80 per pair. Pick from a range…
Must-see shopping in Italy
Milan
Given you usually have to schlep out of town for deeply discounted designer threads, what’s up with this oddly central outlet? Yes, all the major labels…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This clothing store in Monti is run by the startlingly talented Eugenia Barbati, who graduated from fashion school and promptly opened up her own place…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
A stiletto strut from the Spanish Steps, the boutique of this well-established Roman fashion designer unfolds over three floors. Inside, ethnic-inspired…
Venice
This delicatessen-cum-corner shop is a godsend if you are looking for picnic fodder or want to buy some gastronomic gifts to take home. While De Rossi…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
One of Rome's best-stocked secondhand and vintage clothes stores. There's a definite rocker theme to the stock, which includes endless racks of leather…
Venice
Fiorella has been pioneering rebel couture since 1968 but you'll need a rock-star budget to afford one of her silk-velvet smoking jackets in louche…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
For buttery leather bags, purses and accessories at a reasonable price, those in the know head to this Trastevere boutique. Browse slouchy bag styles in…
Milan
The grim basement courtyard of Il Salvagente gives scant indication of the upmarket brands inside. Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli and Alberta Ferretti…
Milan
Owned by a former skateboarder, this independent clothing store has a clean minimal style that walks the line between elegant and street. Its curated…
Centro Storico
This luxury eyewear boutique has plenty of specs appeal: bold and unexpected designs from up-and-coming and indie designers such as Chrome Hearts, Katsura…
Oltrarno
This fragrance store by Ponte Vecchio offers a colourful collection of soaps, perfumes and room scents inspired by Sicily and its native plants. Owner Sue…
Venice
A long-time favourite of Venetian fashion aficionados, Kirikù is a purveyor of affordable high-end pieces in sumptuous fabrics, as well as footwear and…
Oltrarno
Peruse this Arezzo-born designer's quaint boutique for unique artisan purchases and retro-style clothing and accessories. Notebooks covered in wallpaper…
Milan
Locally sourced, recycled jersey, cashmere and leather are the base materials of asap (as sustainable as possible). The pieces are not just gorgeously…
Milan
Fornasetti faces appear to signal their approval of the great mix of ultrawearable clothes, shoes and bags. Rebecca Minkoff clutches, Suecomma Bonnie…
San Polo & Santa Croce
In her white-on-white gallery, switched-on Elena Rizzi showcases edgy, show-stopping jewellery, accessories and decorative objects from both local and…
Centro Storico
This independently run English-language bookstore has a well-organised selection of classic novels, new releases and kid-friendly reads. It also hosts…
Milan
Overlooking the revitalised Darsena, where boats once docked in medieval Milan, the city's main food market now has a swish new glass-and-steel enclosure…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Throw yourself into the real Rome at this buzzing covered food market where budget-conscious Romans and students shop for fresh fruit, veg, exotic herbs,…
Turin
This neighbourhood pasta shop and rosticceria (delicatessen) has been run with love by Maurizio and Iva Tassinari for over 30 years. Choose from the…
Bologna
Bang in the city centre, this is the shop of a foundation devoted to the preservation of historical art-house films. The shop sells original vintage…
Naples
Revamp your wardrobe or record collection and kick back with a coffee or beer at this split-level shop-and-bar. Street-smart threads include indie names…
Naples
For a take-home taste of Napoli, stock up on a few bottles of Limonè's homemade limoncello (lemon liqueur), made with organic lemons from the Campi…
Naples
Opened by the great grandmother of its current owners – siblings Marco and Enzo Ramiglia – this historic art-supplies store has been in business since…
Limoncello Capri Canale Massimo
Capri
Don’t be put off by the gaudy yellow display: this historic shop stocks some of the island’s best limoncello. In fact, it was here that the drink was…
Consorzio Olivicoltori di Malcesine
Lake Garda
Olives harvested around Malcesine are milled into first-rate extra virgin olive oil by this local consortium. You can sample the product here. Known as …
Milan
Since 1909 this historic shop has been satisfying stationery lovers with its timeless selection of goods. Discover notebooks and pencils from the 1950s,…
Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Producing sweetly scented perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, candles and liqueurs, this 400-year-old company was established by Dominican monks and retains this…
Cala Gonone
For trekking and climbing maps and guides, check out Namaste. It stocks Maurizio Oviglia's Pietra di Luna (€50), a comprehensive rock-climbing guide…
Lucca
Few tourists realise quite what the historic pharmacy across the square from Chiesa di San Michele in Foro bottles. Follow locals inside to indulge in a…
Naples
MAC sells playful, contemporary ceramics created by talented local couple Antimo De Santis and Marina Pascali. Everything is handmade from scratch, from…
Naples
Opposite the Calata Porta di Massa ferry terminal, this two-level gourmet supermarket stocks a wide range of quality Italian edibles, from artisan pasta,…
Ravello
The limoncello produced here is made with local lemons; known to experts as sfusato amalfitano, they’re enormous – about double the size of a standard…
Turin
Guido Gobino's extreme attention to detail, flair and innovation have made him Turin's favourite modern chocolatier. Have a box of his tiny tile-like…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
This decades-old boutique in Piazza di Spagna has mastered the delicate art of the glove. Lined and unlined styles for men and women in both muted shades…
Siena
A brass door knocker may seem a strange choice of souvenir, but the examples made by Laura Brocchi are attractive, well priced and authentically Sienese…
Lake Orta
Established in the small town of Omegna on Lago d'Orta in 1921, Alessi went on to transform modern kitchens with humorous, ultracool utensils designed by…
Capri
Allegedly, Capri’s famous floral perfume was established in 1380 by the prior of the Certosa di San Giacomo. Caught unawares by a royal visit, he…
Naples
Up high in Vomero, this is one of the city's best-loved and less-touristy markets. You'll find everything from bags and shoes, to linen and kitchenware…
