We’re driving through an industrial estate somewhere in Tuscany and our GPS doesn’t even know where we’re going, sending us down a dirt lane way. We’ve been driving a fair bit through the Tuscan countryside already by this point, so we’re not put off by the unsealed road. Here’s our post on how to spend a week in Tuscany.
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We carry on along the lane for a while, wondering if this is the right way. Breathing a sigh of relief, we finally see the sign – SPACE – and we know we’re in the right place.
The sign is only a recent addition, as everyone was getting lost on their way to the Space outlet in Montevarchi. We’re there on a Thursday afternoon and there aren’t big crowds but it can get very busy on weekends.
Behind the iron gate in this industrial park is the best outlet store I’ve ever been to. Space (or Lo Spaccio) is home to the Prada outlet. Selling previous season designer wares at up to 75% discounts. As well as Prada, they sell Miu Miu, Church’s and Car Shoe. The difference with this outlet is the level of service.
How to shop there
Head past the sign and you’ll see their cafe where you can wait your turn to enter the store. Only 100 shoppers are allowed to enter at a time so there are never crowds in the store.
Before entering the cafe, walk up to the small metal box on the wall. There are no signs to tell you but this is the ticket dispenser. Each person needs their own ticket and this places you in line to enter. Don’t lose your ticket as it’s also your key to shopping once you’re inside.
There are no carry baskets, and no need to carry any of your purchases at all. There is a strict system where, once you have selected an item, you show your number to a staff member and they reserve it for you. Magically, when you’ve finished shopping, show your number at the register and all your items are there waiting for you. This can be dangerous as you can’t remember how many items you’ve already sent to the register.
Don’t worry, there’s no pressure to buy all your chosen items. Once at the register you can still change your mind so I would recommend sending everything you like there just in case. You know someone else will pick it up if you put it down.
Price guides
It’s still Prada so you’re not going to find anything for $20 but you are going to make big savings on normal retail prices. Shoes from 75 euros, bags from 120 euros (most are 200-500 euros) and up to 75% savings on fashion and accessories.
If we were back living in England it would be worth the flight just to go shopping. If you love Prada, it’s even worth the flight from Australia.
Our best buys – men’s Church’s shoes for 100 euros (RRP AU$650), Prada earrings for 39 euros (in the shops approximately AU$300) and Miu Miu shoes for 150 euros (RRP around AU$750). Unbelievable!
All the details
Space Outlet
Montevarchi
Tuscany
Where to stay nearby
Check out the best deals on Montevarchi hotels and villas here.
Nearest train station
Montevarchi T.
Nearest bus service
Montevarchi Liceo 353B – acvbus.it
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 10.30 am – 07.30 pm
Saturday: 09.30 am – 07.30 pm
Sunday: 10.30 am – 07.30 pm
Website/store location
Prada Outlet
Tel: +39.055.91901
Do you have any top tips for finding designer bargains? Tell us about them in the comments!
miss chew
I will be in Tuscany In just over 2 months so I will be heading straight there!! Please let me know of any other great tips!!! X
Mr Romance
Hi Jaime
Yes, we have lots of tips. Tuscany is an amazing place to visit. You’re very lucky. Mrs Romance is in the process of gathering info for a post on Tuscany as we speak, so watch this space for some great ideas for places for you to get to!
Cheers
Jim
Jess
Hi
May I know if you seen any Prada Tessuto Gaufre bags at the Space outlet?
Thank you
Mr Romance
Hi Jess
The stock at Space changes all the time so it’s hard to say what will be there. Even while we were shopping, we spotted a new bag just being put out on display that wasn’t there on our first pass of the shop. Yes, Mrs Romance did buy it, by the way!
Sorry couldn’t be more help. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect bargain even if you don’t find a Tessuto Gaufre (Mrs R loves them btw).
Happy shopping.
Jim
Jess
Dear Mr & Mrs Romance ,
Thank you for your reply .
My sister will be visiting Italy and France , “backpacking style” .
She’s not so into designer bags , yet , so I’ll have to give her full details or she might come back with an entire different bag , LOL !
I checked the Neiman Marcus website for the price of the tessuto gaufre , couldn’t find any in Prada E-store , it’s about 1058euro , so if she is to go to the boutique , not the outlet , the price would be the more or less the same and on top of that she’ll get about 12% VAT refund ?
Sorry for the trouble , thank you for your kind assistance 🙂
Mr Romance
No trouble at all, Jess!
Good luck getting your bag – I’m sure your sister will come up with the goods! She should indeed get that 12% tax back. The one problem with the Prada outlet is that there’s no real knowing what they’ll have in stock. They also only have past-season stock, so if the bag you’re after is a new design, they won’t have it.
Let us know how your sister gets on though. Bet she’ll have a great time!
Cheers
Jim
Belinda
Hi, I will be in Milan next month and wanting to do some serious shopping. Do you know of any good outlet stores I can find discount prada as well as great fashion for men women and children. I’m only passing by there 1 day so thought I’d best ask then waste my time. Any good outlets in Rome or Venice you know of would be greatly appreciated also. Thank you
Mrs Romance
Hi Belinda, we shopped more in Tuscany but there is an outlet centre called Serravalle about an hour from Milan by bus. They have a Prada store and a mix of designer and mid priced brands. Here’s their website – http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/serravalle-designer-outlet/en/. There’s also a shop not too far from the city centre called Il Salvagente – http://www.salvagentemilano.it/en/. For Rome, there’s another outlet mall run by the same company as Serravalle – http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/castel-romano-designer-outlet/en/. Happy Shopping!
Anna
Hi, just read on a site that Space outlet close for 2 weeks in August and am trying to find out which dates they will close. Do you have an email address for Space? Thanks!
Mr Romance
Hi Anna. I don’t have an email address, I’m afraid – one doesn’t email Prada, darling – lol! However, if Space is closed when you get there (and it’s still worth going to check), The Mall is just down the road (about 15-20 mins drive) and has some great bargains on Prada, Gucci, Valentino and loads of others. Worth a visit even if Space is open, I reckon.
Here’s The Mall’s site for you to check: http://www.themall.it/en/outlet-italy/homepage.html
Good luck and happy bargain hunting.
J
Theary
Hi! Going to my very first Euro trip in a few weeks so I’m trying to make every day count. Is there a big difference in pricing at the outlet in Italy as opposed to the ones in the US? Thank you!!!
Mrs Romance
Enjoy! Hope you have a fantastic trip! The US outlets can be pretty good but Space is really for Prada fans. It’s really big and I loved that the service is excellent too. As with all outlets, I can’t say how good it will be as it’s seasonal but if you really love Prada then I would go x
Leads fan
Hi, I am going today. Please give me the address
Mr Romance
Hi. Here’s the link to the store’s location. There are more details – plus this link – in the post. Hope it helps and hope you have a great shopping experience.
J
http://www.prada.com/en/store-locator.html?shop=145
Vini
Hi! Me and my wife plan to shop in space on the evening of 30th October, 2015. Is there any way I can book the ticket online? BTW can you suggest other similar shopping places, designer brands at lower prices in Milan and Paris?
Mr Romance
Hi Vini. I’d doubt if there is a way to buy tickets to get into Space online. The fact that you’re going later in the year – and later in the day too – should mean there won’t be queues to get in. The system works pretty well even so.
As for other places to shop, there is The Mall, which is up the road from Space – on the way to Florence. It features lots of designer brands – not just Prada and its associates as Space does. Here’s The Mall’s website for your convenience: https://www.themall.it/it/outlet-toscana/homepage.html
Happy shopping.
Jim
Sanchita biswas
Hi we are traveling to Rome in June , will have a day trip to Florence on 18th of June , can you please tell me is this space outlet situated on the way to Florence ? , how to guide the driver , or is there any other space outlet in Rome or Venice where I can visit
Mrs Romance
Hi Sanchita, this Space outlet is not exactly on the way but there is another fashion outlet centre called The Mall that is closer to the highway. If you only have a day to go from Rome to Florence and back again, I’m not sure you will have time to do both. There’s so much to see in Florence that you could spend 3 days there or more. Add in the travel time from Rome (3+ hours drive each way) and it makes it a very long day.
Vanessa
hi there, we are off to Italy in 2 weeks, just checking if there are any updates or comments on the Space outlet in Tuscany, Thanks Vanessa
Mrs Romance
Hi Vanessa, we haven’t hit up the outlets lately but it’s still the same there. Just Prada, MiuMiu and Church’s at Space and there is another large outlet mall with other designers closer to Florence just off the motorway. It’s called The Mall and it’s off the E35 near Leccio. Space is harder to find but worth it if you’re after Prada bargains. Have a great trip!
Harpreet
Hi your blog is really great!! I want to know that I want to do both the malls in one day. So I take a train and go to the space and then from there take a taxi to go to the mall and from there are there busses available to go back to Florence. Please advise
Also is the space, Fendi outlet d&g outlet on same route
Mr Romance
Hi Harpreet. Thank you for your kind words. So glad you like our site. You can certainly get to both the Space outlet and mall in the same day, but as for how, that’s a bit trickier. We had a hire car, which made it much easier. Getting to the two different malls separately isn’t difficult with buses and trains (please check the 353 bus timetable here: http://www.acvbus.it/orari/353.pdf) but getting between the two might be more difficult. Taxis are tricky to find in Italy anyway, and these two malls are a bit out of the way. The staff at the mall might be able to help you though.
Hope this info is of help. Enjoy your trip and happy shopping. Cheers – Jim
Tchopra
Dear Mr & Mrs Romance thank you for your great tips and suggestions!
We are going to Venice, Milan and Rome in mid of July. Could you please suggest me which Prada , MiMiu & Gucci outlet should I go to?
Thanks much,
Toral
Mr Romance
Hi Toral, thanks for your question. Sounds like you’ve got a great trip planned. We love visiting Italy. I’m not sure where other outlets are in Italy, but the Space outlet in Tuscany is worth the trip for great bargains for Prada, MuiMui and Church. The address is at the post.
There is also another outlet nearby with more range – like Gucci and Armani – that you might be interested in. Christina has mentioned it in a previous comment which I’ve copied here for you:
there is an outlet centre called Serravalle about an hour from Milan by bus. They have a Prada store and a mix of designer and mid priced brands. Here’s their website – http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/serravalle-designer-outlet/en/. There’s also a shop not too far from the city centre called Il Salvagente – http://www.salvagentemilano.it/en/. For Rome, there’s another outlet mall run by the same company as Serravalle – http://www.mcarthurglen.com/it/castel-romano-designer-outlet/en/.
Happy shopping and safe travels
Jim
Tchopra
Great! Thank you so much Mr & Mrs Romance!
Mr Romance
Absolutely our pleasure, Toral!
Scarlett
Hi Mr and Mr Romance,
I will be heading to Tuscany Prada Outlet next week.
Do you happen to know what’s the current VAT? Will there be any specific amount that I have to hit as well?
Thanks in advance!!
Scarlett
Mr Romance
Hi Scarlett. Great to hear you’re heading to Tuscany soon. You must be pretty excited. I believe the current VAT in Italy is 24% but may well rise to 25% next year. You might be able to claim that tax back at the airport though when you head home. You’ll just need your receipts and the labels on your purchases still attached. Not sure if it works with clothes but we’ve definitely done it with tech items.
Hope that answers your question and that you have an amazing time in Italy.
Cheers – Jim
Jolynn
Hi Mr and Mrs Romance,
I’m going to Italy in November and cant decide between The Mall or Serravalle. Do both places have Miu Miu stuff in the Prada outlets? I tried googling but couldnt find anything specific about Miu Miu.
Thanks!
Mr Romance
Hi Jolynn. Yes, both places have Miu Miu stuff – but Serravalle only has Prada and its lines (Mui Mui, Churches etc). The Mall – because it’s bigger – has a lot more stores (not just Prada) and so has a lot more choice. It does have Miu Miu as well.
If you’re only going to one place, go to the Mall. You’ll have more to choose from.
I hope that helps and that you have a lovely time in Italy. Cheers – Jim
Jolynn
Thank you, Mr Romance. Thats very helpful! I was also thinking of stopping by The Space first before heading to The Mall, since I’ll have a rental car with me. I read around and looks like going both places in a day is do-able, if we arrive slightly before the Space opens at 10.30am, spend around 2 hrs there and move on. Is it easy to find parking at both these places?
Cindy
Hi! I would like to ask if you compared Prada prices in Seravalle vs The Mall? Which one is cheaper?
Thank you!
Mr Romance
Hi Cindy. I think they’re comparable – one’s not significantly cheaper than the other. It’s just a difference in merchandise, which changes very frequently. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but you’ll definitely get bargains in either place. 🙂
Maggie
Can you tell me if this is the ONLY Prada outlet in Italy or are there more?
Mr Romance
Hi Maggie. No, there are plenty of other Prada outlet stores in Italy, but this is possibly the biggest (and most hidden when we visited a few years ago) one. All the rest are in shopping centres and are more like proper shops. This one is more warehouse-like with a bigger back catalogue and a good range. Hope this helps – safe travels and happy shopping. Jim