Tuscany » What to Do » Shopping »
Going shopping at the Outlets in Tuscany
Who doesn't like shopping? What's better than shopping and saving at the same time? If you're interested in Italian designer brands and international name brand items, you should do some outlet shopping while you're in Tuscany. Gucci, Prada, Cavalli and many other Italian and international brands are located in malls and retail outlets in Tuscany - and here are the details of where they are!
The Mall
Via Europa 8, Leccio - Reggello (Florence). Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
The Mall is the most famous shopping outlet in Tuscany and one of the first ones to open in the region. It's located not too far from the Incisa-Reggello exit on the A1 highway and you will find several signs after the exit showing the way. In addition, there are regular buses that go to The Mall departing from Florence's SITA bus station in front of the SMN train station.
The outlet is specialized in famous, fashion designer shops. Here, you can go shopping at Gucci, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Armani, Valentino and Tod's for the Italian houses. Among the international fashion designers, there is Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent and much more.
Getting there: From Florence, there are daily buses run by SITA (stop next to the SMN train station, at Via Santa Caterina da Siena 17) that go to The Mall direct (cost about 4 euros per person each way). The hours are current as of January 2011.
From Florence to the Mall:
9.00 (Monday-Sunday)
11.00 (Monday-Saturday)
15.00 (Monday-Sunday)
Direct from The Mall to Florence:
12.45 (Monday-Sunday)
16.00 (Monday-Saturday)
19.05 (Monday-Sunday)
There are additional buses at 14.23 and 15.23 (Monday-Saturday) and 16.58 (Monday-Friday) which are not direct to Florence.
In addition to the SITA buses, there are other options to get there without a car. First, The Mall itself can organize a special bus. Just email them at info@themall.it (minimum 2 people, cost 25 euros per person). Otherwise, Caftours.com provides a shopping tour that will take you to both The Mall as well as to the Prada outlet in Montevarchi (cost 21 euro per person). This is a good option if you also were planning on going to the Prada outlet. Finally, the last option is to take the train to Rignano sull'Arno and then a taxi to The Mall (about 4 euros for the train per person each way, plus about 10 euros for the taxi). Given all the buses SITA offers direct, the train is the least recommended option.
The Barberino Designer Outlet
Barberino del Mugello (Florence). Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm. In June, July, August , September and December open on Monday too from 2pm to 8pm. Closed on May 1st, Easter and August 15th.
The Barberino Designer Outlet is very close to the A1 Barberino di Mugello highway exit, you'll see signs as soon as you exit. There are over 100 shops of the best brands selling almost everything from clothing to cosmetics, from electrical appliances to chocolate and shoes. The most famous brands are Prada, D&G, Lacoste, Furla, Polo Ralph Laurent, Belstaff and Calvin Klein. Then there is also Puma, Adidas, Pinko, Guess, Coccinelle, Pupa, Malboro Classics Docksteps, Lagostina and Bormioli to name just a few more others. There are shops for all tastes so it is likely if you to go this outlet, you won't leave with empty hands!
Getting there: Aside from driving there, you can also take a daily shuttle from Florence run by the outlets. The shuttle (cost 12 euros) leaves twice a day, at 10 and 14.30, from the Fortezza da Basso making a stop 5 minutes later at the SMN train station. The bus returns to Florence at 14.10 and 18.40 so it gives you anywhere from 3 to 7 hours of shopping. SITA also runs buses to the shuttles, you should check directly at the SITA bus station in Piazza SMN (Via Santa Caterina da Siena 17) once you're in Florence for the most current timetable.
Valdichiana Outlet Village
Foiano della Chiana (Arezzo). Monday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm. From the 1st of June until the 31st of August open from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays and Sundays
The Valdichiana Outlet Village is one of the best fashion outlets in Tuscany, not to be missed if you are looking for a true outlet tour in Tuscany. Located in a beautiful setting, between the provinces of Arezzo and Siena, the complex is characterized by a suggestive and fascinating architecture, featuring all the main and most prestigious Italian and international brands such as Conte of Florence, Replay, Enrico Coveri, Fornarina, Benetton, Puma, Sisley, Bassetti, Bata, and many others. In the over 140 charming shops you can take advantage of great discounts ranging from the 30% to the 70% discount all year long.
You will find all types of stores, for shoes, home furnishings, garments, and much more. At the village you can enjoy a pleasing atmosphere, while taking advantage of a number of services, such as the beauty center, the children’s playground, the library, the tourist office, and many bars and restaurants, where you can taste and savor the many delicious dishes and typical products of the local Tuscan cuisine.The outlet center is about 30 minutes south of Arezzo, very close to the Valdichiana exit off the A1 highway.
Getting there: The outlet center is about 30 minutes south of Arezzo, very close to the Valdichiana exit of the A1 highway, so if you are arriving by car you simply need to take the Valdichiana exit, and then follow the precise directions for "Outlet Valdichiana”. You can also easily reach the Village by train from Florence and by bus. The bus departs from a side of Arezzo's train station and stops right in front of the outlet.There are over 140 shops of both of Italian and international brands. You can find shops for Guess, Calvin Klein, Levi's Dockers, Fornarina, Puma, Sisley and Benetton.
Factory Outlets
In addition to these shopping outlets, or proper shopping villages, you will also find several factory outlets in Tuscany for famous fashion designers. These outlets are always located in industrial areas not served by public transportation so you'll need your own transportation to get there. These are some of the most well-known factory outlets:
Dolce e Gabbana
Locality Santa Maria Maddalena Pian dell'Isola, Incisa in Val D'Arno (Florence). Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7.30pm. Tel. 055 833 1300
This is the factory outlet of the famous Italian fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana. It sells underwear, clothing and accessories. We recommend you call before going to verify opening times.
Getting there: The easiest way to get here is to drive there or to take a taxi from The Mall, which is less than 4 km away. Buses do pass near by but making the schedules work out from wherever you are take a lot of planning. So get to The Mall and then take a taxi... or drive there.
Fendi
Via Europa 8, Leccio - Reggello (Florence). Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7.30pm
Located right next to The Mall outlet center but not within, this factory outlet sells only Fendi products from the past collection. Prices are reduced about 50% from prices in regular stores.
Prada - Space
Locality Levanella S.S.69, Montevarchi - (Arezzo). Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 7.30pm, Saturday from 9.30am to 7.30pm, Sunday and Holidays from 10.30am to 6.30pm.
It's certainly one of the most famous and visited factory outlets in Tuscany. It sells only clothing and accessories by Prada and its other labels such as Miu Miu.
The space is open only with numbers that you get when you walk in, about 100 per day, so make sure to get there early in the day.
Getting there: It can be hard to find even when driving, but if you get lost, stop and ask for help, the locals are used to giving directions. Otherwise, to get there by train from Florence SMN, get off in Montevarchi and from there take a taxi. If there are other people at the train station heading in the same direction, by all means share the taxi and the fare (from 12 to 15 euros) :). Get the taxi phone number to call when you're done or, if you forget, ask the doorman politely if he can call the taxi for you to get back to Montevarchi's train station.
Roberto Cavalli
via Volturno 3, Sesto Fiorentino - Osmannoro (Florence). Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Located right outside of Florence near IKEA in Osmannoro and sells only clothing with the Roberto Cavalli label from past collections. If you like the Cavalli style, then definitely head to this store to search for good deals.
Getting there: Both the ATAF Florence city bus lines 29 and 30 go by the area, the 29 gets you closer to the outlet space. Take both from the SMN train station, from Piazza Adua.
You might also like:
Did you find this article interesting? Share it!
View all Articles
