The Ultimate Guide to What to Buy in Italy – Our Top 10 Picks

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No idea what to buy in Italy? We’ve got the answer! We love shopping across the country whenever we get the chance.

From world-famous fashion to handcrafted treasures and irresistible local delicacies, Italy is full of beautiful things worth making space for in your suitcase.

One of our favorite parts of travelling through Italy is wandering into small, family-run shops—places filled with passion, tradition, and stories.

We don’t buy souvenirs that will be forgotten at the bottom of a drawer; instead, we choose things we’ll actually use every day—a handmade wallet, a linen scarf, a pack of spices or dried pasta, or a bar of chocolate.

If you’re wondering what to buy in Italy, we’re sharing our top picks below—from iconic fashion in Rome and Florence to unique finds in the seaside towns of Puglia.

These are the items locals love and travellers actually use, making them perfect additions to your Italian adventures.

Let’s shop like locals. ✨

1. Panettone – Italy’s beloved Christmas bread

Tre Marie offers a huge choice of panettones

Every festive season in Italy, we look forward to panettone, the soft, aromatic Italian Christmas cake. Perfect for breakfast or a coffee treat, it’s also an excellent gift to bring home.

For the best panettone, we recommend artisan bakeries, though supermarkets and specialty shops often have delicious options.

In Milan, Tre Marie Caffetteria & Store (Corso Venezia 2) makes panettoni in flavours like candied citrus, pistachio cream, chocolate, and lemon & almond. In Florence, Leonardo Firenze offers authentic artisanal panettone during the holidays.

La Rinascente in Rome (Via del Tritone) is perfect for panettones from different producers—pistachio cream is still our top pick.

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2. Italian pasta in various shapes and colours

We adore Italian pasta in any shape and don't skip a change to buy a package of a true artisanal pasta when in Italy. Pasta is ubiquitous in Italy, but for a special take-home version, explore artisanal pasta shops or local markets. Here, you’ll find high-quality, traditionally made pasta that transcends the ordinary. No matter where you are in Italy, you won’t have to look hard to find dried pasta for sale.

3. Italian olive oil - a true tast of Italy

When thinking about what to buy in Italy, Italian olive oil is always at the top of our list. Famous for its quality and flavour, it’s a treat that lets you bring a little piece of Italy home. We love seeking out small shops that produce their own oil — handcrafted with care and tradition.

On our last visit to Monopoli, Puglia, we discovered Annese (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 57), just a short walk from our Casa Mia apartment. We picked up a few liters of their extra-virgin olive oil, considered one of the best in Puglia, to enjoy at home — and it was fantastic! (They also ship worldwide, so it’s easy to share a taste of Italy with friends.)

Another favorite spot is Apuglia La Finestra sul Mare, where you can sample a variety of local olive oils and choose your favorite. For a unique souvenir, we love picking a small ceramic bottle filled with olive oil — perfect as a gift or a keepsake from your travels.

For the best selections, look for premium olive oils in specialty stores or local markets, especially in regions like Tuscany, Puglia, and Liguria.

4. Authentic Italian cookies worth bringing home

Italian cookies make some of the easiest—and tastiest—souvenirs to bring home. One of our favourites are the crunchy cantucci from Leonardo Firenze, perfect for dipping into coffee or Vin Santo, and surprisingly affordable at around €6 per pack.

From the same shop, we also love their pistachio brutti ma buoni, a sweet gift from Florence that never disappoints.

Italy is full of regional cookie specialties worth discovering. In Rome, try soft almond cookies or classic ricciarelli from Siena. From Sicily, the fragrant cannoli shells and cantucci Siciliani are a must, while Amaretti di Sassello from Liguria are perfect for almond lovers. In Naples, don’t miss Roccocò, crunchy spiced Christmas cookies, and in Puglia, the sweet, buttery taralli dolci make a delightful treat.

Light, easy to pack, and full of flavour, Italian cookies are a delicious way to bring a taste of Italy home.

5. Taralli – A savoury snack from Puglia

taralli souvenir from puglia

Looking for a light, quality souvenir from Italy? Go for taralli.

These crunchy, loop-shaped snacks are lightly seasoned and perfect for anyone who loves authentic Italian flavours. They also make a great souvenir for food lovers, pairing wonderfully with a glass of Italian wine.

Taralli come in a variety of flavours, from fennel and black pepper to red pepper flakes and more. You can find them in bakeries and markets across Italy, but for the best taralli, head to local bakeries in Puglia, where they are freshly baked according to traditional recipes. Taking a bag home lets you enjoy a true taste of Italy long after your trip.

While taralli are available in almost every food store in Puglia, we love artisanal taralli from small producers. Our favourite so far was from Zio Pasquale, which we found at the little souvenir store Apuglia - La Finestra sul Mare in Monopoli.

6. Chocolate bars, pralines and assortments

When it comes to chocolate in Italy, there’s something for everyone. We love exploring Venchi for their giandujotti, chocolate bars, pralines, and assorted gift boxes—perfect for savoring on the spot or taking home. Whether in Rome or Florence, these beautifully packaged treats make the sweetest souvenirs, offering a little taste of Italy in every bite.

7. Handmade Italian ceramics

Handmade ceramics are among the most unique Italian gifts.

Italy is famous for its vibrant pottery, from decorative plates and bowls to tiles and vases, each reflecting local traditions and craftsmanship.

In Puglia, you’ll find Mediterranean-inspired ceramics full of bright colors and patterns. Deruta, in Umbria, is world-famous for its intricate majolica pottery, while regions like Sicily and Tuscany offer their own unique styles.

For the most authentic finds, visit small workshops and family-run stores, where artisans create each piece by hand. A ceramic plate, bowl, or decorative tile makes a perfect gift or keepsake — a beautiful reminder of your time in Italy and one of the best souvenirs for anyone asking what to buy in Italy.

8. A fragrant soap bar in elegant packaging

A scented soap wrapped into colourful paper could be a great souvenir from Italy!

A scented soap bar (wrapped)- Large natural soaps packed in colourful paper is another great idea for gift from Italy. You'll find them in stores known as "erboristeria", selling natural cosmetics and other goods. Soaps are so divine, scented and packed in beautiful packaging!

If you find yourself in Florence, visit Erboristeria De Herbore (Via del Proconsolo 43R; close to the Bargello Museum) and get on of these amazing soaps for your or your dear ones. Their scent will remind you of Italy when you go back home!


Top 5 Italian souvenirs to buy in Italy

  1. Italian Leather Goods - Italy is world-famous for handcrafted leather handbags, wallets, belts, and shoes. Florence is the heart of leather craftsmanship, where you can pick up pieces that are stylish, durable, and uniquely Italian.
  2. Local Pasta and Specialty Foods - Bring the authentic flavours of Italy home with regional pasta, sauces, and spice blends. From truffle products in Piedmont to hand-rolled pappardelle in Tuscany, these edible souvenirs are practical, delicious, and unforgettable.
  3. Limoncello, Olive Oil, and Regional Wines - Pick up a bottle of Limoncello from the Amalfi Coast, a rich Tuscan olive oil, or a local wine from Sicily or Piedmont. Beautifully packaged, these treats let you savor Italy long after your trip.
  4. Hand-Painted Ceramics and Pottery - Regions like Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, and Umbria are famous for colorful, artisanal ceramics. Plates, bowls, and decorative tiles make souvenirs that are both practical and beautiful, full of character and history.
  5. Fashion Accessories & Artisan Scarves - Italy’s style shines in silk scarves, handmade hats, and artisan jewelry. Lightweight and chic, these items are easy to pack and bring a touch of Italian elegance to your everyday wardrobe.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on souvenirs that are authentic, locally made, and useful. Skip the generic trinkets—choose items that tell a story and that you’ll actually enjoy using every day.

Which souvenirs to buy in Rome vs. Florence vs. Sicily

Rome

Whenever we wander through the streets of the Eternal City, we can’t resist popping into small shops near the Vatican to pick up handmade leather goods, artisan jewelry, or religious-themed treasures. We also love stocking up on local pasta, olive oil, and Limoncello—perfect reminders of a Roman afternoon.

Our Favourite Shops for Souvenirs in Rome

  • Castroni - We love shopping at their store in Via Cola di Rienzo, and pick up pestos, pasta, Sicilian pistachio...
  • I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza - Offers Sicilian sweet products - we adore their pistachio spread.

Florence

Florence feels like the heart of craftsmanship, and we always make time to explore the leather markets around the Duomo. High-quality leather bags, wallets, and shoes are a must, and we often end up with hand-painted ceramics or beautiful stationery inspired by Renaissance art. It’s hard not to fall in love with every artisan stall!

Sicily

Sicily always surprises us with its colourful and vibrant finds. From hand-painted ceramics and Sicilian sweets like cannoli or marzipan fruits to locally made wines and citrus products, there’s something special around every corner. We also can’t resist picking up handmade lace or embroidered textiles from tiny village shops—little pieces of Sicily to take home with us.


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