The San Lorenzo leather market is perhaps one of the largest outdoor markets in Tuscany. As you can probably guess this is the place if you are on the lookout for some very high quality inexpensive leather goods made from the region. As a owner of a leather jacket that I purchased in Florence a couple of years back I can attest that the quality is second to none. I have two leather jackets one of them was purchased through an discount leather shop here in the United States and the other one was purchased in Florence and the one I wear the most is the one purchased n Florence.
The San Lorenzo market actually spans several streets. These streets are Piazza San Lorenzo, Via del Canto de’Nelli and Via dell’Ariento as well as some other side streets as well. As you might expect the prices are not really set, haggling is kind of required and certainly expected. While some shop owners will try to take you for all they can because you are a foreigner do not let them. If you run into problems with any merchant there are plenty more on the various streets that will most likely take your money. The point here is to never settle for the price stated.
It is just unwise. I know this from experience as I did not have time to haggle and really lost out on a great deal if I had not been so gullible. This outdoor market is famous for its leather goods, hence the name, but other wise merchants are also filling in the needs of the shoppers in the area. Here you will find lots of small shops selling anything from gelato to espresso to help the wary shoppers maintain their strength as they wander the streets.
This market has a similar vibe to that you would find in some of the neighboring Middle Eastern countries. It is certainly a unique experience for many Americans. One could almost equate this to an constant outdoor fair as you would find in many of the cities in the United States. Now as with most open air markets the opening hours are not really set in stone. For most of the tourist season of March through October the market will stay open from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening but that is really depending upon how business is going.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge - Worth the visit? | Visit Florence Italy | 31-Mar-08 at 4:48 am | Permalink
[...] some of it represented on this bridge as well. You can find better prices for leather though at the San Lorenzo leather market as that is its [...]
Johnnie | 22-May-08 at 5:15 pm | Permalink
My wife and i plan on going to Italy this summer so i might check this market out. But than again, it may be best to visit while i’m alone because as you say, this is a “leather goods” market and she loves leather (which may cause me to go broke in a foreign country)…lol
Cosmetic Dental Work | 06-Jun-08 at 6:29 am | Permalink
I love outdoor markets, the atmosphere is to fun and like you said there are some great deals.
Credit Repair Wiscon | 16-Jun-08 at 10:46 pm | Permalink
I’m a bargain man. I love to go to markets. And buy stuffs that i want.