Pisa Shopping

I was surprised not to see the market place busy and kind of chaotic lthough it was day in the middle of a week when I was in Pisa. I t wasn't too early or too late either. Maybe there excist another market which is more popular among the locals.

This is a small shop with food and drinks from Toscana area. They sell cookies, wine, olive oil and jam. Of course they have many other food products too. I almost forgot they have all kind of pasta which they sell there... LOL So many kind of pasta.

What to buy: You can buy all kind of drinks and food from Toscana. And it is of very good quality too.

What to pay: Maybe little more expensive, but you get a very good help here. They are very serviceminded here.

What to buy: When purchasing a repleca of the Tower of Pisa ..here's a recommendation.. walk the line of sellers and you will find a very nice statue (not plastic) that also serves as a weathervane.
There are little crystals attached that will change colors depending on the weather.
I know it holds alot more memories for me, since my parents purchased them first some forty years earlier, but they are well made and serve another purpose.

What to pay: I think the price was around twenty-three.

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Being a university town, Pisa has a chock-full of bookstores, mostly excellent ones. I discovered this one along the Lungarno Pacinoti, the road beside the river Arno. While most bookstores in Pisa cater to the local clientle, i.e. mainly Italian titles, this one has an extensive selection of English titles including these handsome coffeetable books (main picture). If only I had space for them...

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We found this shop, located not too far from the leaning tower, and it was awesome. It is small and modest looking but we just had a blast finding touristy gifts in here that we hadn't been able to find anywhere else. The prices were good and the lady who owns the shop was the sweetest person we had met in all of Italy. We just so much enjoyed talking with her (which was limited due to the language barrier) that I would go back to Pisa just to go back to her shop.

What to buy: Touristy gifts, such as jewelry, charms, ceramics.

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Along one side of the Square of Miracles are about 30 small stalls selling every kind of item labelled Italy and Pisa, most have logos of a leaning tower of the Square.

What to pay: Prices vary so much from store to store. Just dont you the first thing you like.

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The Algerian and Morroccan street vendors just beyond the normal tourist tack shops will suddenly disappear when a passing police car slows nearby. When they are not hiding however their displays of Prada, D&G and Armani bags and clothes for 5% of their normal value call out to the passing tourist. Just don't seem interested otherwise they will jump up, grab your arm and lead you into their stall, whether you wan't to go or not.

What to buy: Prada, Doche and Gabanna, Armani etc.

What to pay: Not a lot

If you want to bring home a plastic Tower or other souvenirs, you won't have any trouble finding this sort of thing. You will find different sizes of white replicas, ash trays, table mats and napkins, reproduced photos, handkerchiefs, books, maps, and toys for the children. There are many small dealers right next to the property of the Tower.

What to buy: If you haven't done your research on Pisa, maybe it would be the time to buy a guidebook. Make sure it includes a description of the other architectural monuments there and the art work inside.
If you have the time, investigate the area of Pisa around the University. You will discover some great food offerings, including one of the best delis in the area, called Salza. After enjoying those pastries you can walk it off strolling along the river and over the bridge.
You can walk from here back to the train station, it isn't too far.