Florence is famous for its leather, and many visitors want to take home a belt, bag, or jacket. The city has several markets, but not all sell authentic products. Our favorite market to shop for real leather is Mercato del Porcellino. It is smaller than the busy San Lorenzo market and feels more authentic.
Mercato del Porcellino is located between Via Calimala and Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, close to Ponte Vecchio. The market is open daily from 9 AM to 6:30 PM. Mornings are quieter and a good time to look around before it gets crowded. In the afternoon, it can be very busy with shoppers and tourists.
The stalls offer a wide range of leather goods in all kinds of colors. Belts and wallets often start around 10 to 15 euros. Handbags and backpacks usually begin at 40 euros and can go up to 200 euros depending on size and quality. Leather jackets are the most expensive, starting at about 300 euros.
Bargaining is possible, but discounts are usually small. You may get a better price if you pay in cash or buy more than one item. If you want to buy some qualitative leather goods in Florence, Mercato del Porcellino is the place to be.