San Lorenzo Leather Market (Mercato di San Lorenzo) is one of the most famous open-air markets in Florence, Italy. It is located near the Church of SAN Lorenzo and in the heart of the city’s historical center.
The San Lorenzo leather Market is renowned for leather goods, souvenirs and Italian craftsmanship. Here, you can purchase high-quality leather jackets, handbags, wallets, belts and other accessories at various price points.
However, it is worth noting that the quality of leather products here varies greatly.
Florence has a long history of leather manufacturing
The long history of leather in Florence is attributed to its location along the Arno River, where an abundant water supply provides sufficient water for the tanning process required for leather production. In 1282, the Leather Workers’ Association was established. After that, Florence gained fame in Europe for its high-quality products and gradually gained global recognition as well.
San Lorenzo leather market location
The location is in Piazza SAN Lorenzo in Florence, Italy (close to the Basilica of SAN Lorenzo). It is one of the largest and most popular street markets in this city, which is very suitable for tourism. There are hundreds of stalls selling leather products, textiles and gifts.
San Lorenzo leather market address
Address: Mercato di San Lorenzo, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze, Italy
The Market was built in a wide area (within: Via dell’Ariento, Via S. Antonino, Via Santa Chiara and Via Panicale). It runs from the Church of San Lorenzo along Via Ariento all the way to Via Nazionale.
The SAN Lorenzo Market is an open-air market filled with stalls selling leather, clothing and souvenirs. There are also many characteristic small restaurants beloved by Florentians nearby. It takes only three minutes to walk there.
San Lorenzo leather market in Florence opening hours
The business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day. Some stalls close earlier in winter, and many shops close on Sundays.
Transport of San Lorenzo leather market
Bus: C1
Hop-on/hop-off: Stazione FS SMN (A, B), Piazza Stazione (C)
The products of San Lorenzo leather market
Handbags (tote bags, backpacks, crossbody bags) : This market is renowned for its handbags, ranging from high-quality handcrafted items to cheaper mass-produced ones.
Jackets and coats (bomber, trench coat, suede).
Wallet, belt, gloves.
Souvenirs (key chains, diaries, Florence paper products).
How to identify genuine leather?
Take a sniff – Genuine leather has a strong natural smell; Counterfeit goods smell like plastic.
Check the edges – The edges of the genuine leather are rough and incomplete; The fake one is smooth.
Price – If a handbag costs 50 euros, it is very likely not made of full-grain leather.
Price Range
| Item | Fake Leather (PU) | Genuine Leather |
| Tote Bag | €20–50 | €80–200 |
| Jacket | €50–120 | €150–400 |
| Wallet | €10–25 | €40–100 |
Leather testing scam
When shopping in leather markets and stores, merchants often use various means to prove that their leather goods are made of genuine leather. But be extremely careful, as most of these so-called verification methods are scams! For instance, the so-called fire test or leather test is simply nonsense. You should know that leather is essentially animal skin. If its surface is continuously burned with fire, it will still be damaged by burning. Similarly, the so-called scratch test is completely unreliable either.
Notes for the SAN Lorenzo Leather Market
Daytime visit: The market is the busiest during the day, but on Sundays or in winter, some stalls may close earlier.
Go early: The market can be very crowded, so for a more relaxed experience, the best choice is to go early and avoid the crowds.
Cash on delivery: Some suppliers offer discounts for cash payments.
Avoid aggressive sellers: Some people bargain aggressively.
Check the return policy: Most stalls do not offer refunds.
Bargaining: Although some sellers may have fixed prices, bargaining is a matter of course, especially if you have bought a lot of things. It is worth noting that you should respect others during negotiations.
Quality inspection: Counterfeit goods are not uncommon in the market. Therefore, before purchasing, one should check the quality of the leather to see if there are any flaws. Look for even stitching, smooth edges and consistent texture. Genuine Italian leather feels soft to the touch. High-quality products will give people a sense of smoothness and luxury. Be careful of those overly cheap goods that claim to be from luxury brands.
Beware of pickpockets: Really! Be sure to take good care of your own belongings!
The SAN Lorenzo Leather Market reviews:
“If you want to purchase leather products, Mercato di San Lorenzo is definitely your best choice. The whole street was crowded with all kinds of leather goods stores and trolleys. However, please be careful. The quality of goods varies greatly, so don’t think you’ve got a bargain just by looking at the price, because that might not be the case. The merchants here are very honest and straightforward. They will tell you the quality of all the goods and guide you to stay away from those inferior leather products that will shrink, wrinkle or break quickly. here
The smell of leather pervaded everywhere.
There are many shoppers and tourists here, but there are also many pickpockets, and these pickpockets are very cunning and know all the tricks. So, if you just grope around and don’t know what you have to steal, then you are very likely to end up in their pockets instead of yours.”
“Most people call the SAN Lorenzo Market the leather market, but I discovered many other good things while strolling around the market. There are many leather bags and leather goods here, but I also found some exquisite handmade signboards, magnets, and handmade notebooks made of Florence paper.
There are still many scarf stalls and leather bracelet stalls here. I discovered a leather bracelet that I really like – it looks very different from the other leather bracelets I saw in Rome.
I don’t think this is necessarily a good place to buy leather bags – especially when looking for authentic Italian leather products. They all say it’s genuine. Some vendors will not hesitate to light the leather with a lighter to prove that it hasn’t burned, but I still have some doubts about a “genuine leather bag” that costs 20 dollars. I still suggest that you go and have a look to see if there is anything that attracts you, but don’t expect too much.
I’m not sure if there was any bargaining in the market, but we did do it!”
Sights near SAN Lorenzo Leather Market
The Medici Chapels ★★
Mercato Centrale
San Lorenzo ★
Palazzo Medici-Riccardi ★
Duomo group ★★★
Santa Maria Novella ★★
Conclusion: Is it worth visiting the SAN Lorenzo Leather Market?
Yes, Italy’s leather manufacturing craftsmanship is renowned worldwide. The SAN Lorenzo leather market offers a wide variety of leather products and souvenirs. Here, you can purchase leather goods at affordable prices. But if you want luxury goods/handcrafted items, it is recommended that you go to Santa Croce. If you are looking for a leather bag manufacturer, you need to be patient and visit. Some stores have small workshops or factories. Besides, you can consider leather product manufacturers in other regions, such as our leather handbags factory in Guangzhou, China.
