21 Best Places to Shop in Italy

Chocolate lovers will be pleased with the selection of artisanal chocolates, marzipan delights, and gorgeous cakes. Creations become even more fanciful during Christmas and Easter.

Set in a dazzling, seven-story space, Italy's best-known department store is packed topped to bottom with luxury goods, from cosmetics, handbags, and accessories to ready-to-wear designer sportswear to kitchen items and housewares. Even if you're not planning on buying anything, the basement excavations of a Roman aqueduct and the roof terrace bar with its splendid view are well worth a visit. There's also a location at Piazza Fiume.

A particularly delicious version of buccellato—the sweet, anise-flavored bread with raisins that is a Luccan specialty—is baked at Pasticceria Taddeucci.

The most famous of all Turin chocolates is the wedge-shape gianduiotto, flavored with hazelnuts and first concocted in 1867. The tradition has been continued at this family-run shop, where more than 80 types of chocolates and other sweets are made.

In business since 1836, this famed shop sells confectionery of all kinds—not just the chocolates in the lavish window displays but also fancy cookies, rum-laced fudges, and magnificent cakes.

With more than 40,000 books in English and shelves that are stuffed from floor-to-ceiling with both British and American editions, this large, friendly shop has been a mecca for English-language reading material in Rome for more than 60 years. The bilingual staff always goes the extra mile to find what you need, whether you're a study-abroad student looking for an art history or archaeology textbook or you're a visitor searching for a light read for the train.

From the end of November to the first week after New Year's there's a traditional Christkindlmarkt in Piazza Walther, with stalls selling all kinds of Christmas decorations and local handcrafted goods.

The shop is a great bet for unexpected souvenirs—from accessories to home goods to stationery supplies—from your Roman holiday. Retro tube socks dedicated to pizza appreciation and mouth-watering puzzles featuring high-definition photos of plates of pasta are a few of the fun and funky tchotchkes on offer.

Recently relocated to a larger location, I Pinco Pallino has extraordinary clothing for boys and girls, be it a tulle petal jumper or couture maroon velvet suits. Parents will swoon over their über-fashionable lines for young ones.

For an interesting jumble of stalls hawking vintage jewelry, furniture, artwork, and other collectibles, check out this colorful flea market held on the first and third Sunday of every month (except for August). It's open from 9 am until sunset.

This huge indoor food market offers a staggering selection of all things edible. Downstairs is full of vendors hawking their wares—meat, fish, fruit, vegetables—upstairs (daily 8 am–midnight) is full of food stalls serving up the best of what Italy has to offer.

If you're looking for cheery, inexpensive trinkets to take home, roam through the stalls under the loggia of the Mercato del Porcellino.

The clothing and leather-goods stalls of the Mercato di San Lorenzo in the streets next to the church of San Lorenzo have bargains for shoppers on a budget.

It's possible to strike gold at this lively market, where clothing stalls abut those with fruits and vegetables.

Taking its name from the common childhood demand “put me down,” this shop has been styling the littlest Romans for more than three decades. It's stocked with European brands to outfit children from head to toe, plus all the toys, bags, and adorable accessories a tiny tot can tote. There are two neighboring storefronts: one for ages 0–3 and the other for ages 4–14.

In the courtyard of the 16th-century Palazzo Marigliano is this world-famous hospital for dolls which has a small museum dedicated to its poignant mission. In business since 1850, it's a wonderful place to take kids (and their injured toys).

Specializing in timeless styles for the youngest Romans (ages 0–16) since 1932, Piccadilly is bursting with Liberty-print floral frocks, bloomers, scalloped collars, and dress shorts with suspenders. It's known for its special occasion–worthy clothes and impeccable tailoring.

One of the biggest flea markets in Italy welcomes shoppers in droves every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm. Treasure seekers and bargain hunters love scrounging around tents for new and vintage clothing and accessories, antique furniture, used books, and other odds 'n' ends. Bring your haggling skills, and cash (preferably small bills—it'll work in your favor when driving a bargain); many stallholders don't accept credit cards, and the nearest ATM is a hike.

Well-heeled moms shop for their budding fashionistas at Pure Sermoneta where you'll find garments straight off the catwalk. High-end luxury labels include Fendi, Diesel, Dior, Marni, Juicy Couture, Nolita, and Gucci, with the designer price tags to rival any adult-sized shopping spree.

The second Sunday of every month brings the Santo Spirito flea market. On the third Sunday of the month, vendors at the Fierucola organic fest sell such delectables as honeys, jams, spice mixes, and fresh vegetables.