The Mall Outlet

Tuscany’s luxury outlet in the Chianti hills

The Mall is an open-air outlet shopping centre in Leccio Reggello, 35 kilometres southeast of Florence in the Chianti hills, and it has earned a genuine international reputation as one of the best places in Europe to buy Italian luxury fashion at significant discounts. The tenant list reads like the showcase of the Florentine and Italian fashion industry: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Brioni, Brunello Cucinelli, Valentino, Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Marni, Fendi, and the adjacent (but separate) Barberino Designer Outlet.

The outlet model sells past-season collections — typically 1-2 seasons behind current retail — at reductions that run 30-50% for regular stock and up to 70% during end-of-season sale periods (typically January-February and July). Quality and authenticity are guaranteed — this is official brand merchandise through the brands’ own stores, not grey-market goods.

Honest note: The Mall is a shopping experience, not a sightseeing experience. The surrounding landscape is attractive, but the site itself is a retail complex. If the appeal is luxury fashion at reduced prices, it delivers on that purpose very well. If you are looking for a “Tuscan experience,” combine it with a nearby Chianti stop.

Getting there from Florence

Shuttle bus (most convenient): A dedicated shuttle service (Mall Express) runs from Via de’ Cerretani 2r in Florence (near the Duomo) directly to The Mall. Departs daily at 09:30, return departures at 13:30 and 16:30. Journey approximately 55-60 minutes. Cost approximately €10-15 per person round trip. Book at the Florence stop or online. This is the most convenient option for visitors without a car.

By car (most flexible): Take the SS67 east from Florence through Pontassieve, then south on local roads to Leccio Reggello. Or take the A1 south and exit at Valdarno, following signs. Journey approximately 40-45 minutes. Free parking at The Mall is extensive and well-organised. A car allows you to combine The Mall with a Chianti winery or Greve in Chianti in the same day.

By taxi or private driver: A number of tour operators and private drivers offer Florence-to-Mall transfers, including some with a personal shopping guide service. Useful for serious shoppers who want to maximise their time.

What to find at The Mall

The anchor store: Gucci

Gucci’s flagship outlet store at The Mall is the largest and most consistently stocked of all the brands. The space is substantial — multiple rooms across several levels — and the range includes handbags, ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories and luggage. Staff speak multiple languages and the service is professional (queue systems operate at peak times). A Gucci Osteria restaurant on-site is a genuinely good restaurant (and popular; book in advance at gucciosteria.com if you want to eat there).

Other major brands

Bottega Veneta: Excellent selection of woven leather goods, bags and accessories. One of the better-value brands at outlet prices given the extreme production quality.

Prada: Outlet prices at The Mall have become less dramatic as Prada has introduced its own outlet network, but quality pieces remain available at meaningful discounts.

Valentino and Balenciaga: Ready-to-wear and accessories.

Brunello Cucinelli: Cashmere and knitwear at the luxury price point even at outlet; the quality is extraordinary.

Loro Piana: Similarly premium even at outlet; excellent cashmere and fine fabrics.

Brioni: Menswear, exceptional quality suits and separates at reduced prices.

The experience

The Mall operates across an elegant outdoor arcade structure with a conscious design aesthetic — it is attractive by outlet standards, with stone flooring, greenery and a sense of spatial organisation that avoids the depressing warehouse feeling of many outlets. A cafeteria, the Gucci Osteria restaurant and toilets are on site.

Practical shopping guide

Best time to visit: Tuesday-Thursday mornings outside July-August. Weekend afternoons in summer are crowded with bus tour groups from Florence and Pisa and queues form at Gucci and other major brands. Arrive at opening (10:00) if possible.

Sale periods: End-of-season sales run approximately January 6-February 15 and July 7-August 15. Discounts during sale periods can reach 60-70% on selected items.

VAT refund (for non-EU visitors): Most stores at The Mall participate in the tax-free shopping scheme. Non-EU residents (including UK post-Brexit) can claim a VAT refund on purchases over €154.94. Fill out the tax refund form at the store, then validate at the airport on departure. The refund (approximately 11-15% of purchase price) is processed at the airport or by mail. Keep all original receipts and tags.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-19:00; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-20:00. Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day.

Sizes: Italian sizing runs smaller than US or UK sizing. Size conversion charts are available at most stores. Allow time to try items on.

Return policy: Outlet purchases are generally final sale (no returns), though some brands allow exchanges. Confirm the policy at each store before purchasing.

The Prada Outlet (La Prada) — important distinction

The Prada outlet is NOT the same as The Mall. The Prada Space outlet is located in Montevarchi, approximately 30 kilometres further south (45 minutes from Florence), and is a large standalone Prada factory outlet store. It is one of the best single-brand outlets in Italy with a consistently large selection of past-season Prada, Miu Miu and Prada Sport. If Prada specifically is your priority, La Prada in Montevarchi may be worth a separate trip. See the private driver tour for a combined Mall-plus-Prada option.

Combining The Mall with a Chianti day

The Mall sits in the Chianti hills, and several wineries and the town of Greve in Chianti are within 20 minutes by car. A natural combination for those with a car:

Morning at The Mall (10:00-13:00) → lunch at an agriturismo or trattoria in the Chianti hills → afternoon at a winery for wine tasting → return to Florence by early evening.

This combination is one of the more civilised ways to spend a day around Florence: shopping, wine and landscape in reasonable proportion. For Chianti details, see our Chianti guide and Greve in Chianti page.

Frequently asked questions about The Mall

Is The Mall worth visiting from Florence?

If you have any interest in Italian luxury fashion and want to buy at reduced prices, yes. If you have no interest in shopping for clothing, bags or accessories, no — there is nothing else to do at The Mall itself. The surrounding landscape is pleasant but not specific to the outlet.

How do I get the best prices at The Mall?

Visit in the sale period (January-February or July-August). Arrive at opening time to find the best selection before the day’s bus tour groups arrive. Focus on classic pieces in neutral colours rather than trend-specific items — these represent the best long-term value. Ask sales staff which items have the highest current discount.

Is The Mall authentic? Could items be counterfeit?

The Mall is operated by the brands themselves through their own outlet infrastructure. Items are authentic current and past-season goods, not counterfeit merchandise. The Mall has nothing to do with the souvenir market leather goods sold near Florence’s San Lorenzo market, where fake “made in Italy” goods are prevalent. See our guide to fake leather in Florence for that separate issue.

What is the Gucci Osteria?

A serious restaurant opened by Massimo Bottura in collaboration with Gucci at The Mall, part of the Gucci Garden concept. It serves creative Italian cuisine in an upscale setting. Lunch menus approximately €60-90 per person. Booking essential (often weeks in advance in peak season) at gucciosteria.com.

Can I combine The Mall with the Prada outlet?

Yes, if you have a car. The Mall in Leccio Reggello for morning, then drive south 30-45 minutes to Montevarchi for the Prada Space outlet in the afternoon. A full-day luxury outlet circuit that some shoppers consider worth the driving.

When is The Mall most crowded?

Saturday and Sunday afternoons in July and August are the worst for crowds, with multiple tour buses arriving simultaneously and queues at Gucci reaching 30-60 minutes. Weekday mornings and the shoulder season (April-May, September-October) are significantly more manageable.