The street markets around San Lorenzo in Florence are popular with tourists for lots of reasons. It is possible to buy all kinds of souvenirs from colourful stalls that wind through the streets. Most stalls are in Via dell’Ariento where you will also find the wonderful Central Food Market.
There are leather jackets, handbags, wallets, belts, key rings, clothes, scarves and paper goods…among other things. The stalls are often fronts for the shops behind them.
If you like to bargain you will probably have fun here. It is a great place to find gifts to take home…you are bound to find something you like.
Voting in the Italy Magazine Blog Awards closes on 28th February. If you haven’t already voted (even if you have…it seems you can vote as many times as you like) I would love it if you click here and vote for Bagni di Lucca and Beyond in the Best single Art and Culture Post.
Winners will be announced 3rd March. I will let you know as soon as I do.
You can always find interesting things there. It is a good address for shopping.
By: Mulino Dominillo on February 26, 2015
at 9:32 pm
I really like the food market and the new eating area upstairs.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2015
at 9:34 pm
Love this place. A great place to shop. First bought a leather jacket there in 1985. Visited in October last year with family members purchasing some beautiful leather goods.
By: akesektk on February 26, 2015
at 9:42 pm
It is always worth wandering through, you never know what you will find.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 5:55 am
I always enjoy this outdoor leather marketplace and have found great bargains here, particularly when I’ve paid with cash and have bought more than one item. Great post!
By: margieinitaly on February 26, 2015
at 9:57 pm
I’m not much good at bargaining. If I am happy with the price I don’t bother.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 5:56 am
Have over the years always found a few interesting leather pieces there. Wish I was there right now as I know I could find the perfect bag I need for a lovely invite next week. Still have a couple of really unique pieces from there from when you and I went there. Love the shopping in Florence. Bet you went to Giacosa for your coffee.
By: Dianne Cant on February 26, 2015
at 10:05 pm
I did go to Giacosa…with Julie Grbac and Bruce Tully.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 5:57 am
Bellissimo!
By: bellanoctis on February 26, 2015
at 10:07 pm
Grazie.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 5:58 am
I always visit these markets when I am in Florence. I don’t enjoy them as much as the local village markets however I always find some great bargains here.
By: Lyn on February 26, 2015
at 10:36 pm
Forte dei Marmi has a great weekly market and there are lots of good local markets. It is fun to wander through.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 5:59 am
I’ve been to Florence only once and don’t remember the market. I have to go again. I really like your blog and voted for it.
By: Gerlinde on February 26, 2015
at 11:52 pm
Thanks for voting. I think another trip to Florence is needed.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 6:00 am
Debra – are you in more than one category? Voted for the ‘culture’ one but don’t want to miss out on any others! Have been to the market eons ago: oh what fun if I could stroll there again!!
By: Eha on February 27, 2015
at 12:07 am
Bella Bagni di Lucca is also in this category and Best single travel post. Thanks for voting.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 1:17 am
‘Done and dusted’ with pleasure 🙂 !
By: Eha on February 27, 2015
at 1:42 am
I love Florence and its markets….have had to purchase something on every visit !!
By: Jim & Kerry on February 27, 2015
at 12:10 am
It is easy to be tempted.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 1:18 am
I remember the time as a child being in Florence, that my mother bought a real Italian leather hand bag right there. Fun memories. Since than I have been back to Florence many times, even on a campground where I had the most beautiful view over the city.
By: corneliaweberphotography on February 27, 2015
at 6:00 am
Florence is a fabulous city. I am lucky I live close enough to go regularly.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 6:07 am
nice photos, Debra – brought back very fond memories. Always find something for myself 🙂 and gifts. And the foodmarket …. oh gosh!!!!! Carina
btw, just voted for you – good luck!
By: anyone4curryandotherthings on February 27, 2015
at 7:18 am
Thanks for voting. I really love the food market the best.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 8:51 am
I’m not such a market shopper but I still love strolling around San Lorenzo! Good luck for the awards too Deb!
By: janinevasta on February 27, 2015
at 7:27 am
I’m not really a market shopper either…but I did see a very nice pink leather bag the other day.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 8:52 am
Appears to a be a tad cool on this day … but that doesn’t stop the vibrancy of this area. … consider the voting completed.
By: aFrankAngle on February 27, 2015
at 11:43 am
The area is busy even in the dead of winter. Florence is a popular city. Thanks for voting.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 6:38 pm
I enjoyed this spot a lot Deb. Still carry around a bag from there and brought many gifts back. I enjoyed the central market more however. Went there twice. More exploring to be done the next time I come over.
By: meditatingmummy on February 27, 2015
at 1:59 pm
I am a big fan of the food market, and the new food area upstairs.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 27, 2015
at 6:39 pm
It’s many years since I was last in Florence but I still remember the cashmere lined leather gloves I bought in the market. Sadly I lost one of them within six months. What is it about gloves and umbrellas that makes them so easy to loose?
By: Just Add Attitude on February 27, 2015
at 9:52 pm
I lose umbrellas mostly. Fortunately when it rains in Italy the umbrella salesmen appear instantly.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2015
at 7:51 pm
Florence….an absolute treasure trove! Cute key rings!
R
By: Paris Rendez-Vous and Beyond on February 27, 2015
at 10:05 pm
I like the pink pig key ring.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2015
at 7:54 pm
I love Mercato di San Lorenzo I used to live few steps from there and I remember every single but. Thank you for this post, memories come to me tonight. 🙂
By: Cintia Soto on March 1, 2015
at 6:30 am
How lucky to have the food market so close. There would be no excuse to serve a bad meal.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2015
at 7:56 pm
Fantastic market – I want one of those handbags!!
By: megtraveling on March 1, 2015
at 6:32 pm
I have my eye on a very pretty pink one.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2015
at 7:57 pm