9 Must-Have Artisanal Souvenirs from Italy (Where to Buy Them in 2025)

Italy has world-class souvenir shopping – and we don’t mean plastic trinkets. Think world-famous markets, delicatessens packed full of local specialty foods, and the flagship stores of world-famous Italian designers. Wherever you go, Italy’s artisanal products are the stars of the show. The country has a long history of creating some of the finest hand-made goods in the world and continues to ensure that the “Made in Italy” tag a mark of superior quality. 

It isn’t always easy to find authentic Italian souvenirs, but the best way to do it is by knowing where to shop. Planning a trip to Italy? From handcrafted ceramics to Venetian glass, use our guide to find the best Italian keepsakes. And don’t go home without at least one of these 9 artisanal souvenirs from Italy.

When it comes to souvenirs from Italy, we are talking much, much more than simple keychains.

Hand-Crafted Italian Leather: Best Shops in Florence

With its famous Chianina cows and a thriving central business hub in Florence, Tuscany has all the ingredients to make excellent leather. Sitting right on the banks of the Arno River, the neighborhood of Santa Croce in Florence has been home to water-heavy trades, like hide tanning, since the 13th century and the tradition lives on today. In fact, 35% of national leather production still takes place in this area today!

Though you can find authentic Italian-quality leather throughout all of Tuscany and even nearby towns in Umbria, Florence is still the best place to buy that incredible handmade purse, coat, or belt you’ve been dying to have.

Because leather is such big business, you’re not going to find mom and pop stores here, but you will have a plethora of choices. Head to Santa Croce to see what the biggest brands are selling, or if you only have one day to see Florence take a lunchtime tour of the massive San Lorenzo Market which boasts dozens of stores and booths selling any and all leather products.

Florence’s famous Ponte Vecchio is lined with leather-selling stands. Make sure you look for the fleur de lis stamp (the crest of Florence) to confirm authenticity.

Look for signs reading “Italian-quality” leather, so you know it was made according to local traditions and not chemically treated. Real leather will have imperfections and feel soft. It should be a natural color and you should be able to see the texture of the animal skin. Also, this souvenir from Italy isn’t cheap. Though you can, and in some cases should, certainly haggle, quality leather has its price!

Traveler’s tip: If you’re shopping in Florence, check out our favorite artisans who make up the best of the best when it comes to Oltrarno shopping in Florence.

Glassware in Murano: Souvenir

Murano, an island off of the lido of Venice, has been a leader in European glassware for centuries. Because Venice was a major trading port for goods from all over the Mediterranean and the Far East, the city’s artisans developed glassmaking technologies that synthesized influences from Roman, Greek, and Asian cultures.

As the industry grew, so did the threat of fire from their kilns and the government moved them to the nearby island of Murano. Eventually, the Venetian Republic became one of the dominant trading powers in Europe and the glassmakers benefited in turn. Their notable income was useful for the state and the artisans enjoyed a particularly prominent status throughout the Renaissance.

Today the glassmakers still wow visitors with their incredible skill. They can make anything from chandeliers to perfectly-sculpted earrings and bottle stoppers, all using methods originally developed in the 1200s.

Be careful when choosing your Murano glass – there are a lot of imitations out there, including some glass on the island of Murano itself! Look for well-known brands, and the Artistic Glass Murano® trademark of origin to be sure you’re getting the real deal.

Those who simply want to ogle more of the beautiful glass designs and learn about the history can visit the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) in the Palazzo Giustinian on Murano Island.

Murano glass worked by the hands of a skilled artisan is an incredible souvenir to bring home from Italy.

Venetian Glass Souvenirs: Best Shops in Venice

Authentic, locally handmade masks have become increasingly rare in Venice, despite deceptive stickers, packaging, and price tags. Most are mass-produced outside of Italy and imported, deceiving unsuspecting tourists.

We had the fortune of connecting with Najib, a local shop owner near Saint Mark’s Basilica who has been handcrafting masks for years. He invited us into his workshop and shared the differences between genuine, authentic masks and the imitations.

Najib shared his reality about being one of the few remaining artists on the island making genuine masks and the challenges he faces competing against sellers who produce masks quickly and cheaply using machines.

As a company committed to promoting sustainable tourism, we’re excited to have connected with Najib, to hear his story, and to share his shop. If you’re in search of high-quality, locally made Venetian masks, be sure to stop by at Calle Casseleria, Castello 5334/B – 30122, Venice.

A wall of authentic Venetian masks, proudly handmade by the shop owner Najib.

Handcrafted Italian Ceramics: Vietri sul Mare

As with all Amalfi Coast towns, Vietri sul Mare enjoys great food and great views but its real claim to fame is its rich ceramics tradition. Vietri sul Mare is the cradle of Italy’s brightly colored earthenware pottery known as majolica.

Though majolica ceramics are sold throughout the Amalfi Coast, the artisans in Vietri sul Mare have taken the particular, colorful style of the centuries-old tradition and adapted it for contemporary tastes, making ceramic vases, bowls, plates, and decorations for inside and outside your home.

The ceramics are all decorated by hand, with patterns and designs that perfectly reflect the beautiful Mediterranean lifestyle found along the Amalfi Coast. Brightly colored sunflowers, lemons, grapes, and landscapes grace the fire-glazed items. Whether you want a whole set or just a showpiece, these are the perfect souvenir from Italy to give your home a touch of la bella vita! Prices are usually reasonable, though larger or shipped items will cost you more.

Vietri sul Mare is well-known for its famous ceramics.

While visiting Vietri sul Mare, stop in the Fabbrica di Ceramiche Solimene to learn more about the ceramics tradition and more contemporary developments or pop into the Museo Provinciale della Ceramica in beautiful Villa Guariglia.

Traveler’s tip: If you’d like to enjoy some of the more picturesque towns in Italy, head to the Amalfi Coast. Whether you’re traveling from Rome or Naples, follow our guide on How to Get to The Amalfi Coast

Italian Woodwork in Trentino-Alto Adige

Trentino-Alto Adige is home to verdant pine forests and the jagged pink peaks of the Dolomites. It’s a place where nature and civilization coexist in pleasing harmony –  a relationship evinced in their artisanal traditions. Wood from the surrounding forests is the backbone of life in Trentino, where most of the buildings are constructed from local trees like spruce, scotch pine, and larch. It’s these same woods that most often show up in handicrafts of local artisans.  

The area’s woodcarving traditions originated during the long, cold winters, when entire families gathered around the stove, or stube to stay warm. They often passed the time doing something with their hands and we’re glad they did; today Trentino-Alto Adige’s woodcarvings are second to none. From benches and chairs to cutlery, cutting boards, wine holders, and other decorative objects, these are the perfect gifts to put in your home.

Puppets and Marionettes in Sicily

Though puppets might have a somewhat antiquated air, the puppets and marionettes in Sicily are so intricately made you can’t help but want to take one home. Drawing on stories from the Commedia dell’Arte, Medieval Italian puppet theater was one of the forerunners of all European puppetry. Italians have always cultivated a culture of story telling, and nowhere is this truer than in a present-day puppet show. Though the stories are classics, the dialogue is made up on the spot, meaning a good performer must be able to handle his marionette and be a master of improvisation.

Today, puppet shows are performed at the Opera dei Pupi in Palermo, Sicily. Dating back to the 15th century, the marionettes depict characters straight from Southern Italy’s history. Heroes of important battles fall in love with dark-haired Sicilian beauties, while vanquishing historical foes like Saracens or Norman invaders.

Puppet theaters are found all over Sicily, but these aren’t your typical puppet shows. Make sure to check one out if you can. Photo credit: Dennis G. Jarvis

The marionettes are made of wood with strings and metal wires holding them up. Though this medieval theater is constantly fighting for attention with more modern forms of entertainment, the culture and craft of Sicilian puppetry are protected as a form of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Artisan shops and studios selling these classic marionettes abound in Palermo, and while quality varies, they are all incredible examples of a very unique type of cultural expression. 

Traveler’s tip: Heading to Palermo and want to do a little research? Follow our guide on the Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily.

Nativity Scenes and Figurines: Best Shops in Naples

There’s no place like Naples for Christmastime. Since St. Francis invented the nativity scene, or presepe, in the 13th century, Italians have been making it their own, and Neapolitans have become the number one makers and sellers of the small scenes and accompanying figurines. They believe they do it better than anyone– and so do many Italians.

Even if you aren’t able to visit the city during Christmastime, you can still see this artisan craft up-close. Visit the famous nativity scene makers on Via San Gregorio Armeno in the heart of Naples’ historic city center. Here you’ll find hundreds of shops featuring hand-made nativity scenes, with floor-to-ceiling options for figurines, ranging from the holy family to animals and landscape features, such as waterfalls, forests, and mills.

The shops are open year round, showing off Naples’ beautiful handmade figures. More than a tree or lights, every Italian family is sure to have a presepe prominently displayed from December 8th onward. If your family displays or wants to display a nativity scene, there’s no better place to buy one than from presepe masters in the heart of one of Italy’s most traditional cities!

If you just want to see more, visit the Museo Nazionale di San Martino, where you can view an entire collection of Neapolitan nativity scenes created over the years, including the largest nativity scene ever. This massive diorama, the Presepe Cuciniello, has 162 carved human figures, 80 animals, and more than 500 other objects.

Taking home a few of these hand-made figurines would be a wonderful Italian momento to have back home at Christmas time.

Italian Silk and Clothing in Como

Silk has been produced in Como and its surrounding towns, like Bellagio, for more than 4 centuries. The silkworms followed a winding path to get there. In fact, they had to travel all the way from China to the Eastern Mediterranean to Sicily and then up the boot to the north of Italy and finally into Como. But it wasn’t until Italy began to industrialize in the 18th century that Como became Italy’s largest silk producer. Today it still holds the title. Como provides 85% of all silk made in Italy and 70% of all silk found in Europe. It provides silk for major fashion houses in nearby Milan but also Paris and New York, among others.

Silkworms need an ample water supply to thrive, but the exquisite mountain backdrops of Como probably don’t hurt them, either. Among humans, Como is the epicenter of Italy’s culture of beauty and luxury, and what is more luxurious than touring the beautiful banks of Lake Como wearing the finest, made-on-site silk scarf, tie, or shirt?

Despite its status as a luxury item, you can find silk in Como and Bellagio for a relatively reasonable price if you’re a savvy shopper. Tour each and every shop to get an idea of prices and pay attention to the boutiques and markets, where you’ll often find high fashion items mixed with new designers or sample styles.

You can find silk clothing and accessories made in Como throughout Italy. Definitely one of our favorite Italian souvenirs.

Regional Foods from, Well…Any Region

Every region (and micro-region) of Italy is renowned for some sort of food. From the lemons of Amalfi to the cured meats of Perugia to truffles of Tuscany to the balsamic vinegar of Modena and the tomatoes of Puglia – wherever you visit will have certain foods that are considered local specialties.

For the foodie in your life – or just for yourself – stop in a delicatessen and pick up a bottle, can, or vacuum-packed parcel of whatever catches your fancy. Of course, many local specialties don’t travel well – we don’t recommend trying to sticking supplì or arancini in a suitcase – but cured meats, wines, olive oil, and digestives like grappa and the ever-popular limoncello are fantastic gifts that literally bring a taste of Italy back home with you. 

Insider’s Tip: Loved that bottle of wine you had over dinner? Save the cork and buy your own bottle at the local bottle shop to take home with you. 

A bottle of high quality Italian olive oil is a perfect gift to bring back for the foodie in your life.

Artisanal Souvenirs from Italy FAQ

What are the best souvenirs to buy in Italy?

Italian ceramics, Venetian glass, and local delicacies like limoncello are among the top choices. To make sure they are authentic, look for labels like “Made in Italy,” certificates of authenticity, or inquire about the production process at the store. 

Where can I buy artisanal ceramics in Italy?

Head to Vietri sul Mare, Deruta or Positano for authentic, hand-painted ceramics. 

What is special about Venetian glass?

It is a centuries-old craft made by skilled artisans on the island of Murano. When it comes to bringing this fragile artwork back home, most shops will bubble wrap each item after you buy them. Make sure to pack them securely in the center of your suitcase, surrounded by soft clothing for cushioning. 

Are there unique regional souvenirs in Italy?

Yes, each region offers unique items, such as leather goods from Florence or pesto from Genoa. 

Can I bring food souvenirs back from Italy?

Most packaged foods like pasta, olive oil, and chocolates are allowed in many countries. Check local customs regulations. 

Are there any customs restrictions on bringing Italian souvenirs home?

This depends on your country’s regulations. For example, food items like cured meats or cheeses may have restrictions. Check with your customs authority. 

A nice bottle of Limoncello is always a great souvenir from Italy.