Shopping

In my last post, I shared tips on the best towns to visit in Lake Como. In this post I share the best Italian Souvenirs! The very best souvenirs to bring home from Italy. One of my favourite countries in the world, if you are a foodie then Italy is simply heaven! I have visited many of Italy’s cities and no matter how many times you visit there is always something new to discover.

Below I take you through popular souvenirs from Italy; the best souvenirs to buy in Florence, Venice Italy souvenirs, souvenirs from Rome, Bologna, Milan and more. Covering everything from food, leather goods, glass, jewellery apart from cars of course but if you have the cash, might I suggest you pass by Bologna and bring yourself back a Lamborghini?

So for cool gifts from Italy or whether you are looking for cheap things to buy in Italy during your visit or looking for gift ideas for authentic Italian souvenirs then keep reading. Also, be sure to look out for my post on the best Italian outlets soon.

Also See

• The Best Towns To Visit In Lake Como
• The Ultimate Guide On Where To Stay In Venice
• A One Day Itinerary To Florence
• The Best Wanderlust Jewellery To Inspire Travel Adventures

Top 10 Souvenirs From Italy | Top Souvenirs To Bring Home From Italy

If you are looking for great ideas on most popular souvenirs from Italy, things to bring back from Italy or even what are the best souvenirs from Italy then you are in the right place as this post talk about the best gifts from each of Italy’s famous cites.

Think the best souvenirs from Rome, gift ideas from Venice, and the best thing about the items below is that they carry well as most are dry, making them the best gifts to bring back from Italy, whether for yourself or loved ones.

By the way, if there was a way to bring back Italian gelato, that would also be on the list of souvenirs to bring back from Italy below.

Murano Glass

Situated off the Venice lido, Murano is an island that has been an authority in European glassware for hundreds of years. The glassware you’ll find at Murano is unlike any I’ve ever seen and one of the best souvenirs from Venice, Italy.

The artisans in the city have had their craft evolve from years of influences from Asian, Greek, and Roman cultures, and they have perfected the craft of making stunning, unique, and mind-blowing glassware.

Glass beads from Venice was once upon a time used as currency. Today, if you are wearing a necklace, made from Murano glass, it is said that you are wearing jewellery of a thousand years because of the experience and years that had have gone into producing the works.

Another item to add to your list of items to bring back from Venice are masks. Shopping in Venice, Italy on sunday is one of the best times are most shops are quieter and fewer tourist crowds.

So, where to buy masks in Venice Italy? There are plenty of shops but check out the back streets with wide ranges as well as better quality and not just cheap tourist tat. Venetian mask shops in venice are plenty especially closer to the time of carnival.

Accessories and jewelry

Italy is an authority in the world of fashion, and home to world renown designers like Gucci, Armani, Versace Fendi, and Diesel. A walk through the streets of Rome would make anyone feel like they’re in a fashion fairytale, and window shopping is a therapy I’d recommend.

Accessories and jewelries are sold all over Italy – from Rome to Milan, Venice and Florence. We had fan checking out jewellery shops Venice and came back with a few unique gifts from Venice. Pick up one, a couple, or a dozen, so you can have keepsakes of your time in one of world’s fashion capitals.

Florence Leather

Looking for best gifts from Florence, Italy? A neighborhood in the city of Florence known as Santa Croce which I wrote about, has been a hub of leather production since as far back as the 13^th Century. This place produces as much as 35% of Italy’s leather. Looking for items to buy in italy that will last you a long time? The leather here is as authentic and durable as they come, and I’d recommend 100%.

A trip to Santa Croce will bring you face to face with the biggest names and brands in Italian leather, and once you see the “Italian-quality” sign, rest assured that you’re buying organically treated and processed leather that was made in accordance with the nation’s laws.

If you’re looking for a souvenir to take home with you, then leather from Florence should be at the top of your list. We managed to leave here with a couple of belts and a handbag or two. 

Spices and Herbs

Italy is famed for being the home of some of the best food in the world, ranging from pasta to pizza. The food in and around Italy is tasty because of the care, love, and ingredients that go into making them. If I could, I’d take a chef from Italy home with me, but the spices and herbs used in the preparation of these foods are the next best thing.

If you visit Southern Italy, herbs like mint (known as menta) and oregano (oregano) are popular and can be found in surplus. You’d be getting it straight from the source so it would be fresher and tastier than the ones sold in bottles and cans back at home.

Formaggio

One of the must-have souvenirs from italy. That’s what the Italians call cheese and I think this is one of the best souvenirs to take home with you from Italy. As with cheese from anywhere else, there are a ton of options to choose from, and what I particularly like about Italian cheese is that they are locally produced and handmade, unlike the mass made machine/factory cheese found in most developed countries.

Amazing Italian cheeses include Provolone, which originated from Basilicata, Taleggio (from Lombardy), Parmigiano-Reggiano(Parma) and Pecorino Toscano (from Tuscany). 

Vietri sul Mare Ceramics

Another set of great items I think you can and should take home with you from Italy are ceramics. Vetri sul Mare is one of the biggest and best ceramic producers in the Amalfi Coasts.

All the ceramics are handmade, and the patterns and designs that adorn them reflect the Mediterranean culture – from the landscape to the food. You can get a vase, a bowl, a plate, or any other item as a keepsake of your time in Italy.

Italian Meat

Another idea for gifts to bring home from Italy is cured meats. If you’re a meat lover then I suggest leaving Italy lots of specialty meat, because it’s hard to find them like that anywhere else. It’s almost like each region has her own specially crafted signature meat that has been made perfectly to satisfy your cravings.

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, you’ll find prosciutto San Daniele; for souvenir ideas from Milan, you’ll find bresaola and salame; and in Calabria, you’ll very hot sausages made with chili.

Dried porcini mushrooms

Lazio and Umbria are some regions in Italy famous for the dried porcini mushroom in many shapes. The mushrooms are very tasty and add a very special twist to your meals, so in my opinion, they’re not only the best souvenirs to take home with you from Italy but among unique souvenirs from Italy.

Artisan chocolate and Biscuits

Italy is also renowned for its sweets, baked goods, and other confectionaries. Chocolate is one of the best sweet exports, and it’s a great souvenir.

Italian artisan chocolates and biscuits come in a variety of flavors, shapes, styles, and types, so there’s something for everyone. You should especially try Turin’s biggest chocolate brands like Caffarel, Perugina, and Venchi.

Pasta

While we do think of pasta as culturally Italian food, it is likely the descendant of ancient Asian noodles. While they may not be the creators of pasta they have certainly taken the idea and run away with it, creating some of the best and most unique versions of it.

Many of the regions in Italy have their very own unique pasta they are well known for. From Pappardelle to Farfalle, Campanelle, Bucatini, Acini di pepe, Gnocchi, Totellini and many many more. In fact their hundreds of variations of pasta. So where ever you are visiting in Italy, bring back some pasta.

Sun-dried tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are very popular in Southern Italy, and many Italian recipes are incomplete without them. The process of making them is exciting but can be tiring, so if you want to buy them ready made, you can get them at the Mercato Centrale in Florence.

So, have you been to or heading to Italy? Which one of the above do you think are the best souvenirs to buy Italy?

Also See

• The Best Tours In Lake Como
• 48 Hours In Milan
• Exploring Rome Through Fountains
• The Best Hotels In Rome With Amazing Views 

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