Don't bring home mass-produced, boring souvenirs from your trip! These are the real deal when it comes to chic and enviable cool girl souvenirs that you should buy when you stay in one of our vacation rentals in Florence...
Once you book your villa in Florence and spend time diving into the rich history and heritage of the birthplace of the Renaissance, you'll likely fall deeply in love with this fascinating, bustling, grand city. If this is the case then you'll also likely want to bring a little piece of it home with you! While it is certainly one of the most stylish cities in Italy and the world, it is also a major tourist destination with all of the less inspired, more banal souvenirs that come in tow. For those who want to bring a little of the real style and design brilliance of this great art centre home with them or who want to give those at home gifts they actually will want to receive, here's our guide to the cool girl souvenirs to stock up on in Florence...
Borgo Santi Apostoli, 32r, 50123 Firenze
Florence is famous for her gold and there are certainly ample places to buy incredible gold pieces around the city. This store, however, specialises in recreating historic pieces that you may have glimpsed on a Medici family member or a Botticelli beauty while wandering one of the museums in town. A truly extraordinary space selling remarkable objects, it is a must-see even if you're only window shopping. While some pieces are very expensive, many will find wonderful things within their budget and it is a chance to literally wear great works of art that you spied while in the city.
Via Porta Rossa, 76/r, 50123 Firenze
Originally from Prato (the pastry capital of Tuscany), this shop has a Florentine location a five-minute walk from the Palazzo Vecchio. Entirely dedicated to biscotti, there is a whole world of flavours to dive into! Grab some incredible biscotti in their iconic blue packaging and bring them home to enjoy as you reminisce about your trip or to give to the neighbour who watered your plants.
Via di S. Giuseppe, 5/R, 50122 Firenze
Leather is another of the products for which Florence is renowned and you will see options from street sellers and artisans in workshops all over the city. While popping into little workshops is a lovely way to meet the makers of the objects you are actually buying and is something we highly recommend (plus, you'll likely find some great prices!), we don't suggest shopping at the street stalls as you're likely getting an inferior product that is not actually made in Italy at all, even if labelled that way. Head to the Scuola, however, and you'll see where some of the best leather goods producers in the country are trained, you can take a day workshop to make a piece of your own should you wish, and you can shop in their incredible store. Not only are you assured of what you are getting but pieces can be customised as well!
Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze
A former major event cinema in town still maintaining its historic good looks, this unique cultural hotspot in town is now a bookstore by day, cinema by night as well as a restaurant. A dreamy place to browse books while a movie plays silently on the big screen as a backdrop, it sells books in Italian, English, and more and is a must for book-lovers visiting the city!
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Multiple locations in the city centre – original at Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze
A classic stop that has always remained cool is this historic beauty shop that was good enough for queens throughout history. In addition to the stunning interiors, incredible products, and amazing scents, the gorgeous packaging makes these perfect gifts and souvenirs. Splash out on a bottle of perfume or stock up on some soaps or the iconic Pomegranate Scented Ceramic, a homeware must that looks as good as it smells.
Via del Parione, 35 A/R, 50123 Firenze
Finally, this store sells marbled paper, another specialty of the city. Readily portable and lovely, their notebooks, journals, photo frames, and other goods are beautiful and practical. Plus, if you want something extra-special, you can make your own piece by signing up for one of their workshops!
Multiple locations across the centre of Florence
A perfect little souvenir, these charming retro photo booths are dotted around the centre of the city and give you the chance to create a sweet little personalised memento for just two euros for a classic four photo strip. Frame it, put it on your fridge, or use it as a bookmark and remember your trip every time you look at it!
So, book your luxury villa in Florence and leave enough room to bring back some of the truly extraordinary things made in the city!