With the world slowly opening up, the phrase ‘when in Rome’ can soon become reality. Here are five fabulous shopping destinations located in Italy.
Italy is home to some of the world’s most coveted designer brands, the Italians famed for luxurious fabrics, design and craftmanship. Fine products aren’t exclusive to major fashion houses though, available in areas where certain leathers or lace techniques were founded, in numerous boutiques and smaller stores. Here are five of Italy’s greatest shopping areas:
Via Giovan Battista Zannoni, Florence
Via Giovan Battista Zannoni hosts many different stalls and boutiques down its bustling street. The place to go for world-renowned Florentine leather goods. Dozens of stores sell gorgeous bags, jackets and quality accessories guaranteed to stand the test of time, and garner compliments.
Via Del Corso, Rome
The spacious Via Del Corso is a must-see shopping street, hosting a mixture of unique boutiques, luxury brands and global stores. Although Milan is often thought of as the pinnacle of Italian fashion, Via Del Corso is touted as next in line for the throne. A little bit of everything, including the unexpected, can be found here, which explains the heavy foot traffic. Galleria Sordi, a regal looking shopping complex with stunning stained-glass ceilings is a must also, housing bag stores like Coccinelle, stylish stationery outlets, and an old map boutique.
Portofino
Portofino is the lavish Italian Riviera fishing village that’s beloved by tourists, celebrities, royalty and its 500 locals. The sun-soaked seaside town hosts incredible views, charming architecture and a wide range of shopping and dining opportunities. Cobbled, maze-like streets, begged to be explored, cradling numerous luxurious boutiques—the village is one of the few areas in Italy where fine bobbin lace garments can still be found. It also houses the historic shoe boutique Mingo Portofino and the original Spinnaker boutique store, listed by the Chamber of Fashion as one of the best stores in Italy.
Via Monte Napenapoleone, Milan
In the capital of Italian fashion sits the stunning Via Monte Napoleone, is home to prestigious names like Armani, Gucci, Prada and Versace, as well as a selection of museums. Beautiful interiors are tied together by sparkling streetlights swinging between the pale classic stone buildings, with well-manicured greenery placed thoughtfully around.
Via Mazzini, Verona
The busy thoroughfare connects the two largest squares, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe, offering plenty of fashionable boutiques and shops—a nice balance of independent and larger chains. The beautiful street is perfect for finding one-of-a-kind wardrobe treasures or everyday essential pieces. It’s also worth a visit just to marvel the fairytale like street that feature views of turrets and towers, shutters across windows, and wrought iron balconies.
Pictured — Galleria Sordi
