Shopping in Italy
Shopping in Italy is, for many, a very exciting and memorable experience. Those who are willing to adventure outside of the typical tourist areas are often rewarded with great prices and variety. For others, however, shopping can be fraught with uncertainties (especially if you don't know where to shop or you do not speak any Italian whatsoever). Understanding the basic shopping rules and where to shop is a huge part of becoming a great shopper in Italy. To better help you navigate the shopping part of your trip and help you find the best deals possible we've put together this section on shopping basics below. Please also check our section on Indispensable Italian Words & Phrases for useful words and phrases to use to help you make the most of your shopping experiences. Happy shopping!
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| Two very happy shoppers! |
Main Types of shops
- Centro Commerciale - Malls started to sprout up throughout Italy in the early 1990s and have gained in popularity in Italy over recent years. A convenient one-stop shop for most Italians but only accessible by car or bus for tourists. It is possible to find deals but we'd look elsewhere if you're deal hunting.
- Outlets - It is possible to find the best deals in Italy if one shops at the outlets. Well known brand names and designer labels can be found at most of the outlets in Italy. Italians are willing to drive sometimes 3 hours or more to get deals at the outlets. See our list of Italian outlets at the end of this post.
- Boutiques - Boutique stores tend to be found mainly in the major cities or in the wealthier small towns. Look to spend more at these types of stores as most of the merchandise are one of a kind or private labels.
- Mercato All'aperto - Outdoor markets are an excellent way to shop in Italy as it is possible to find almost anything you want. Also, it is possible to bargain at these outdoor markets which makes for a memorable experience and a potentially excellent deal.
- Cafe shop - typical place to get hot or cold drinks, a sandwich and pastries.
- Calzature - Shoe (scarpe) and boots (stivali) store.
- Ebanisteria - Furniture store or repair shop.
- Farmacia - Pharmacy.
- Enoteca - Wine Store.
- Gelateria - Ice cream store.
- Cartoleria - Stationary store.
- Caseficio - Cheese store that might also sell wines.
- Calzolaio - Shoe repair store.
- Edicola - Newspaper and magazine stand.
- Electrodomestica - Electrical and household appliances store.
- Ferramenti - Hardware store.
- Grandi Magazzini - Department store (main stores: Coin, Rinascente, Standa, Upim).
- Fruttivendolo - Fruits and vegetables store.
- Idraulico - Plumber.
- Latteria - Cheese and milk products store.
- Libreria - Bookshop.
- Macelleria - Butcher.
- Paneficio - Bread and bakery store.
- Parrucchiera - Hairdresser.
- Pasticceria - Cake, cookies and pastry store.
- Pescivendolo - Fish & seafood store.
- Profumeria - Perfume store.
- Ristorante - Restaurant
- Rosticceria - Small restaurant.
- Salumeria - Cold-cuts, breads, cheeses, olives, canned items.
- Tabacchi - Tobacco, salt, stamps & paper (carta bollata) for official form, bus tickets, telephone cards.
- Trattoria - Restaurant serving local cuisine and lower prices.
- Alimentari - This is a small grocery store that may or may not sell a variety of goods such as wine, fresh bread and fruits or vegetables.
Generally, stores are open from 09:30am-1:30pm and 2:30-7:30pm. Grocery and fruits/vegetables stands may stay open a little longer. Restaurants and trattorias generally serve food between 1:00-3:00pm and 7:00-11:00pm.There are exceptions to these hours of operation, however, with most exceptions occurring on holidays, during national strikes and in smaller towns.
Basic Shopping Rules
- Price tags must always be displayed.
- 20% sales tax is already included.
- Bargaining is allowed, but within reason.
- Tax refunds for foreigners at designated airports, train station or border crossings.
- Always ask for a "fiscal" receipt as this is the only type of receipt that validates your purchase.
- No free refills on soft drinks.
- There is a different price for sitting outdoors in restaurants.
- Stores will rarely allow merchandise returns but will do exchanges or store credit.
Where to shop
Understanding how to shop is half the battle. The other half is knowing where to shop. Certain regions and cities are known for producing specific goods. For example, Rome sells amazing leather goods, Parma sells undeniably delicious prosciutto and Tuscany produces the world-famous Chianti & Brunello wines.
Additionally, certain regions and cities sell more widely sold goods at cheaper prices. For instance, leather goods such as bags, jackets and shoes can be purchased throughout Italy but the best quality, greatest variety and most affordable prices can be found in Rome.
Additionally, certain regions and cities sell more widely sold goods at cheaper prices. For instance, leather goods such as bags, jackets and shoes can be purchased throughout Italy but the best quality, greatest variety and most affordable prices can be found in Rome.
- Lonely Planet's Guide to Shopping in Italy
- Shopping in Tuscany
- Shopping in Umbria
- Open Air Market Shopping in Rome (Porta Portese)
- Open Air Market Shopping in Rome (Sannio)
- Shopping in Italy
- Where to shop in Florence
- Where to shop in Rome
- Designer Bargains in Rome
- Made in Italy
- 213 tips on where to shop in Italy
Outlet Stores in Italy
When shopping in Italy's biggest cities visitors often do not think about shopping at outlet stores but they should. Outlet stores offer a great chance to save money. As the world economy continues to slide Italians have looked for ways to save money and find alternatives to shopping at street markets, department stores, shopping malls, and boutiques. Outlets offer brand names at heavily discounted prices and because of this many Italians will drive over 3 hours to the nearest outlet. A blog we like to follow on outlet shopping is Tour Italy Now where you can find the latest deals.
Here is a list of outlets by region:
- Campania - LA REGGIA OUTLET
- Emilia Romagna - CASTEL GUELFO OUTLET, CONCEPT STORE, FIDENZA VILLAGE
- Lazio - FASHION DISTRICT VALMONTONE, MCARTHUGLEN CASTEL ROMANO OUTLET
- Lombardia - BRESCIA FACTORY OUTLET, FASHION DISTICT - BAGNOLO SAN VITO, FIFTY FACTORY STORE, FIFTY & FIFTY, FRANCIACORTA OUTLET VILLAGE, STORE HOUSE, THE PLACE LUXORY OUTLET
- Piemonte - MCARTHUGLEN SERRAVALLE OUTLET, RJ OUTLET, VICOLUNGO OUTLETS
- Puglia - FASHION DISTRICT MOLFETTA
- Toscana - MCARTHUGLEN BARBERINO DEL MUGELLO OUTLET, THE MALL, VALDICHIANA OUTLET VILLAGE
- Trentino Alto-Adige - STORE HOUSE
- Valle D'Aosta - FIFTY FACTORY STORE
- Veneto - RJ OUTLET, STORE HOUSE
- Repubblica di San Marino - STORE HOUSE, SAN MARINO FACTORY OUTLET
Comparison Chart: United States & Italian Sizes
The charts below from InItaly.com should be used merely as guide as sizes are typically not standardized. It is always best to try on clothing if possible.
| MISSES'/WOMEN'S SIZE CHART | ||||||||
| United States | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Italy | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
| WOMEN'S LARGE SIZES * | |||
| United States | 18 | 20 | 24 |
| Italy | 52 | 54 | 56 |
| WOMEN'S SHOES | ||||||||
| United States | 5½ | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 10 |
| Italy | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 38½ | 39 | 40 | 41 |
| WOMEN'S HOSIERY | ||||
| United States | Petite | Small | Medium | Large |
| Italy | I | II | III | IV |
| MEN'S SIZES ** Suits, Overcoats, Sweaters and Pajamas | ||||||||
| United States | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
| Italy | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| MEN'S SHIRTS | ||||||||
| United States | 14 | 14½ | 15 | 15½ | 16 | 16½ | 17 | 17½ |
| Italy | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 |
| MEN'S SHOES | |||||||||||
| United States | 6 | 6½ | 7 | 7½ | 8 | 8½ | 9 | 9½ | 10 | 10½ | 11-11½ |
| Italy | 39 | 40 | 40½ | 41 | 41½ | 42 | 42½ | 43 | 43½ | 44-44½ | 45 |
| MEN'S HATS ** | ||||||||
| United States | 67/8 | 7 | 71/8 | 7¼ | 73/8 | 7½ | 75/8 | 73/4 |
| Italy | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 |
| CHILDREN'S SIZES ** | ||||||||||||||
| United States | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Italy | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 |
| CHILDREN'S SHOES | ||||||||||||||||
| United States | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10½ | 11 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Italy | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
* In most cases Italian women's wear items are cut smaller than domestically produced items.
** Sizes are not standardized.
*** Several U.S. importers note that in most cases Italian children's wear items are cut larger and wider than domestically produced items, resulting in Italian items being numbered improperly, i.e., too low for this market. As a consequence, the importer/retailer is often forced to add 1-2 numbers to the Italian sizes indicated, to obtain what they consider to be the correct size for the American market. Thus an Italian "2" will often be considered a "3" or even "4" by an American retailer.
Clothing
Acrylic - Acrilico
Belt - Cintura
Blouse - Camicetta
Boots - Stivali
Coat - Cappoto
Cotton - Cotone.
Dress - Vestito
Jacket - Glacca
Pants - Pantaloni
Shoes - Scarpe
Shirt - Camicia
Silk - Seta
Skirt - Gonna
Shorts - Pantaloni corti
Socks - Calzini
Stockings - Calze
Suite - Completo
Sweater - Magia/Pullover
Tie - Cravata
Underwear - Soto veste.
Vest - Panciotto
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