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Home  >  Florence • Italy  >  Prada Paradise, Space Outlet in Florence

Prada Paradise, Space Outlet in Florence

Alex Posted onApril 4, 2015May 10, 2019 Europe, Florence, Florence Travel Blog, Italy, Outlet Shopping, Prada, Space Outlet, The Mall 10 Comments

The close proximity to luxury brands factory outlets like Prada Space Outlet is another reason why people come to Florence. There’s a saying that Space Outlet gets more visitors than Uffizzi Gallery, wow! The Prada Mecca is located at Montevarchi which’s just a 30 min drive from Florence. But since we didn’t have a rental car, we opted to board a regional train (around 5 Euros one way). Follow by a taxi ride instead of hiring a taxi from Florence for around 120-150 Euros.

Upon reaching Montevarchi-Terranuova station, there will be taxi drivers outside shouting ‘Prada, Prada’. From what my driver told me, there are only 4 taxis operating in town. So just hop on to any by paying 3 Euros to share the cab with others or 12 Euros for the whole taxi to yourself.

Taxi to Space Outlet

The Space Outlet building is so unassuming that we thought the driver brought us to the wrong place. Don’t be fool by the appearance – here’s the worst kept secret to indulging in Prada’s Italian fashion at fraction of its street prices. A little less guilt while filling up the shopping bags with more stuff…heh…

Prada Outlet Florence

Space Outlet in Florence

We were among the first few to arrive, collect our queue numbers from a ticket dispenser and waited. People started streaming in when it’s near the opening hour.

Outlet Queue Numbers

Outlet Opening Hours

Once the door opens, ladies storm the store like commandos, wanting to grab hold of every Prada handbags or Miu Miu ones in sight. Designer handbags are one big magnet for women LOL. We overheard one Asian lady getting 10 handbags of the same design at one go – WOW. As told, the store’s inventory is limited to an unknown quantity per day (or per hour?), which perhaps intensify the competition.

While wifey prowls the battle zone, I move over to the quieter (perhaps more sane LOL) men’s section.

Inside the Outlet

I grabbed a few belts and a pair of shoes, informed the Salesperson my queue ticket numbers and he placed them behind the cashier counters. The belts cost around 80-120 Euros each but I see them retailing at over 220 Euros in Rome’s store. That’s not a bad deal especially after factoring in the 10-12% VAT refund.

Wifey’s a much happier camper and her shopping cart is obviously more filled up than mine. The wait at the cashier took a while before we paid for our items, showed our passports and filled up the VAT refund forms.

Prada Space Outlet Shopping

Shopping at The Mall Firenze outlets

We proceeded to The Mall outlets next for more bargain hunting. So it’s Modus Operandi – regional train (3 Euros one way) from Montevarchi-Terranuova to Rignano Sull’Arno and then taxi. Unlike Montevarchi, this is a very quiet station with no taxi in sight, so we called a taxi’s numbers we found on the notice board. And reaching The Mall after a 5 min ride. There’s a direct bus if you’re coming straight from Florence.

The Mall outlets

Map of the outlets

The Mall carries brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Prada (yes, again), Armani, Tods, Gucci etc.

The outlets directory

Around the outlets

I got a comfortable pair of Ferragamo shoes for around 200 Euros and a Bottega Veneta wallet. The wallet is at least S$200 cheaper compared to buying in Singapore. The Prada has got quite a big selection here as well but we didn’t find anything we fancy. There’s even a Global Blue VAT refund office here, meaning we got our VAT savings on the spot – Nice!

After a long day of outlets shopping, we took the 1-hour SITA bus ride back to Florence for our dinner.

What are your thoughts about Space Outlet and The Mall? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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Next Article To Rome, To Roam

About Author

Alex

A Singapore Travel Blog about one guy, his camera and an irresistible impulse to travel. Join his adventures to find travel reviews and tips @ WanderLex.com. Read more

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10 Comments

  1. Carmen Reply
    May 16, 2016 at 11:05 pm

    Did u hv any prob coming back from the Space Prada outlet to the train station ? Will the taxis be there too?

    • Alex Reply
      May 17, 2016 at 9:33 am

      Hi Carmen, the taxi will be running almost non-stop between Montevarchi station and Space Outlet to pick up passengers like a shuttle bus service LOL.

      But they will normally wait at the station to pick up new passengers so usually, you can just hop on to any taxi when they are alighting people at Space Outlet. Else, just get the driver’s contact and call him once you are done shopping.

      • Carmen Reply
        May 17, 2016 at 10:18 pm

        Thanks, Alex ! So I should be able to get a cab back to the station at abt 1pm-2pm no issues yah?

        • Alex Reply
          May 18, 2016 at 9:29 am

          Hi Carmen, if there’s a specific timing that you need to return to the station, I would suggest you take the name card/ contact numbers of the taxi driver. So you can call to pick you once you are done with the payment at Space Outlets. Or just copy the driver – Stefano’s contact shown in the 1st picture of this blog post. Have fun shopping!! Or should I say grabbing? LOL

  2. Carmen Reply
    May 20, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Thanks vm for the detailed advice! :)

    • Alex Reply
      May 21, 2016 at 7:55 pm

      You are most welcome Carmen! Have a great shopping trip at the outlets!

  3. Danny Bin Reply
    January 30, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    Hi Alex,
    Were you able to get your VAT refund of items purchased at the SPACE outlet at the Global Blue in The Mall?

    • Alex Reply
      January 30, 2017 at 6:02 pm

      Hey Danny! Thanks for dropping by my humble blog. However, I am unable to answer your question as I have not tried that before…sorry.

  4. Edna Reply
    July 24, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Alex, is the Space outlet worth going to or will the Prada outlet at The Mall suffice? What’s the main difference? Price? The range of items? Thanks!

    • Alex Reply
      August 1, 2018 at 11:18 am

      Hi Edna, I suppose if you prefer to shop for multiple brands (like those that are not under Prada group’s umbrella) in a single location then perhaps The Mall would be a better choice. However, if you are looking mainly for Prada (and perhaps Miu Miu, Church or Car Shoe), then Space outlet would have more range and stock than The Mall. Do note that the range and stock is dependant on luck too because there are folks who purchase dozens at one go. The price of the 2 Prada outlets seems to be the same. Hope that helps and have fun!

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