My roommates and I frequented the Florentine open-air markets during my semester abroad in Florence. And I’m not just talking the leather goods and touristy trinkets like you see on Pinterest, I’m talking vintage clothes, fresh produce, antiques, household goods, you name it and the markets have it.
Market shopping was also one of my favorite ways to immerse myself in Italian culture, practice my language skills, and barter a little. Pro tip: it is often good to have cash when shopping at the markets, some vendors will take cards, but cash is always a safe bet.
Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio
Boasting the title of the “Oldest Market in Florence,” Sant’Ambrogio has indoor and outdoor vendors to peruse. The indoor market houses a selection of traditional Italian fare, from prosciutto to bufala mozzarella to schiacciata, all displayed in pristine glass deli cases for easy ogling while you make your decision.
The outdoor vendors line the exterior market walls and offer goods ranging from fresh produce (the strawberries are to die for), second-hand and vintage clothing, jewelry, household items, and more. One of my favorite discoveries was learning you could try on clothing in the back of the vendors’ white vans, a quick “Posso provarlo?” and they’d whisk you off to the makeshift van dressing room. I only did this when with friends (never alone!), and it made the market-shopping experience unforgettable.
The Sant’Ambrogio website advertises its hours as 7:00 am-2:00 pm Monday-Saturday, however, I found that most vendors began to pack up by 1:00 pm.
Mercato delle Pulci
Located just across the street from Sant’Ambrogio, Mercato delle Pulci is a haven for antique lovers. Admire Italian ceramic dishes, try on artisan silver jewelry, browse the used books, or sift through vintage black-and-white photos, Pulci is a treasure trove for Italian antiques.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Tuscan keepsake, this is the place to look. One of my friends purchased a phallic cherub corkscrew. Iconic, no?
Mercato delle Pulci is open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 am-7:30 pm.
Mercato di Santo Spirito
Every Sunday from 9:00 am-7:00 pm, the piazza in front of Basilica di Santo Spirito hosts a different open-air market. The first and fourth Sundays of the month are a general flea market, where you can find various items, including vintage clothes, jewelry, art, eclectic kitchenware, and baked goods.
The second Sunday of the month is reserved for the antique market, and the third Sunday (my favorite) is the farmer’s market or “Fierucola.” La Fierucola boasts a variety of local goods, including handmade ceramics and jewelry, vibrant produce, gleaming jars of jam and honey, fresh meats and cheeses, and heavenly, aromatic baked loaves of bread and pastries.
Cafes line the edges of the piazza, so you can grab a quick cappuccino or caffè (espresso) with the locals before diving into shopping, and the piazza itself has a very laid-back, Italian neighborhood atmosphere. Additionally, the Basilica di Santo Spirito is free to visit and features work by Michelangelo and Perugino and architecture by Brunelleschi.
Mercato delle Cascine
Le Cascine is the most extensive Florentine market and is hosted each Tuesday from 8:00 am-1:00 pm in Parco delle Cascine. Le Cascine can be easily reached from the city center on the T1.3 tram (tickets are €1.5), or by foot, which only takes about 30 minutes.
This market has so much to offer, from parakeets and hamsters to kitchenware to new and second-hand clothing, you can find just about anything here, making it a favorite inexpensive shopping spot for the locals as well.
My favorite activity was digging through piles of secondhand clothes to find the hidden gems. I found a vintage Fila snowsuit for my brother for only €5 that retailed online for hundreds (what a steal)! This is another location where you can hop in the back of a van if you ask nicely to try on clothes.