Italy Shopping
Many Destinations for Bargains & Designer Brands

Italy Shopping

Italy shopping is worldly popular and this country is well known as one of the hottest destinations to shop your heart out in. Some of the most renowned fashion designers originated here and because of this fact - Italy is an excellent place for fashionistas or window-shoppers alike. 

If fashion is your forte, then a visit to Milan will be right up your alley. Known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan offers an up close view to all of Italy’s top clothing designers and brings an Italian shopping experience like no other. Here you will find everything from world famous brand name stores, to high-class boutiques, to souvenir shops and much more.

If luxury fashion is what you seek, then a visit toVia Monte Napoleone is a must while in Milan - it is an upscale street for shopping in Italy where you can expect to drop some major coin, also known as one of the most expensive streets in Europe. While visiting this amazing city, be sure not to miss Galleria Vittorio Emanuele - the oldest active shopping mall, if not for spending money then at least to snap some amazingly memorable photos inside the gallery. It is a beautifully constructed famous landmark that sees almost every visitor that comes to Milan and houses many designer stores for the shopping Italy enthusiast as well as great options for fine dining. Shops in this mall are usually open 9:30AM - 7:00PM but you can have a stroll through the gallery 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.



More Shopping Italy Options

Italy is filled with great shopping experiences whether you are here seeking the next fashion trend or the perfect souvenir to take home. Rome is also considered a fashion capital of the world, but it's also widely known as one of the best cities to shop in because it has an eclectic mix of different stores to satisfy everyone’s desires. 

Via Del Corso is one of the main streets and considered by many - one of the best areas for shopping in Italy while visiting the capital. This area of Rome is a must for anyone looking to fulfill their spending needs. It is the biggest shopping street in Italy's capital and the northern part of it is for pedestrians only. Strolling down this street is a really wonderful experience for anyone who enjoys exploring while walking.

If your Italian vacation takes you to Venice then a shopping trip to the area of streets known as Mercerie is a must. Here you will find everything from high fashion stores, to small boutiques, to hand-crafted goods and costume jewelry. It is said that if you follow the signs while strolling through the streets of Venice, everything should be easy to find. From experience of being there 3 times however - getting lost can be quite easy, which is where a phone with a maps application, plus the ability to save places comes in handy.

Shopping choices here are simply overwhelming and it's impossible to visit all the stores in one day, one will probably need a week or two for that. Having said that, if you see something that you really like - buy it right away because the chances of finding the same store again are really slim - unless you save the location on your phone of course. 

Shopping in Italy offers something for everyone. For women and men alike, the newest trends can be found in many shopping areas of various cities and communes. Who needs a fashion show or a magazine when many Italian streets and malls are filled with the hottest trends, right before your very eyes.

Perhaps you are looking for the latest styles of a custom Italian suits. This country is known for their designer suits across the globe and these carefully tailored masterpieces will have all eyes on you at your next job interview or board meeting. 

Italy is also well known for the high quality leather it produces and therefore is famous for its luxurious designer shoes and belts. Some of the best leather shops are located in Florence on Via Giovan Battista Zannoni. Rome has many quality leather shops as well, but if you are looking for a bargain especially on handbags - Venice will not disappoint. 

Jewellery is no exception, you will be sure to find just what you are looking for in Italy - no matter the occasion. Whether an engagement ring for the one and only, or a stylish affordable custom charm to let your sweetheart know you are thinking of them. 


Italy Design & How It Influences the Visual World

Italy Design

Italian design is known across the globe for both its classic styles and for its innovative new creations. Italian furniture is extremely well made with it's clean lines and durable materials that will last for many years to come. Although, most furniture made in Italy can be pricey, it is well worth every penny. Whether contemporary or classic style is your preference of interior, Italy design has you covered.

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Italy Shopping - Helpful Tips

No matter your shopping Italy goals are - rest assured that you will return home with a few treasures and some fashion pieces that are guaranteed to make your friends jealous. Below are a few useful tips to guide you along on your Italian spending spree.

  • The currently accepted Italian currency is the Euro and it's a good idea to exchange the money in the country you are travelling from. You can bring up to 10,000 EUR with you in cash as in most cases, you'll have to declare it. For the most part, Italy is still a cash based economy compared to other European destinations, however most businesses will accept a foreign credit card. Most ATM machines will work with an out of country bank card although they can be a bit temperamental. 
  • A sales tax of 22% is already included on all price tags, so you know exactly what you will be paying, before even reaching the cashier. This sales tax, also known as the VAT (Value-Added Tax) is refundable on purchases higher than 154.95 EUR to all foreigners and can be claimed at the airport (or larger train stations) customs office when leaving the country. Just be sure to keep all of the receipts for all of your purchases and have the merchants fill out and stamp the necessary paperwork needed to start the refund process.
  • If you are looking for a bargain, a great place to shop is a gallery or an outlet mall, which do exist but are somewhat more rare in Italy than street shops. Although most larger cities will have shopping centres, malls in smaller cities and communes are located outside the city centres. It may be worth the drive, however - to find that great fashion piece at a fraction of the cost.
  • The Italian shopping culture allows for a bit of bargaining. When browsing through stores, you may find some items will be marked Offerta meaning - 'Offer' and will be marked down from the usual price. Generally - smaller stores or markets are the best place to ask for a discount and paying by cash may help you to score your items at a lower price. Simply ask for a Sconto - 'A discount' and sometimes you might get lucky. 
  • Be sure to check the store hours before embarking on a "shopping Italy" trip. The internet is a wonderful resource for that and most businesses will have a listing with posted operating hours. Also many stores in Italy close throughout the day for a lengthy lunch called Siesta which may begin anywhere from 12:00PM - 1:30PM and continue until somewhere in the range of 2:30PM - 4:00PM

Whatever the taste, preference, age or interest might you may have while on your Italian shopping adventure - you are sure to find an abundance of stores to satisfy every need. Happy spending!


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