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More than a city, Florence is a work of art. A renowned birthplace of art and culture, its historical centre is a World Heritage Site.

So impressive is the density per square metre of museums, and medieval and Renaissance masterpieces that tourists have even been known to suffer “Stendhal syndrome”: a dizziness brought on by the surfeit of beauty they can contemplate when confronted with the Santa Cruz Basilica, the Vecchio Palace, Bargello, the Academy Gallery, Il Duomo, San Lorenzo, San Marco, the Piazza de la Repubblica and a long and dazzling list of other extraordinary sights. No tourist should go to Florence without devoting at least one day to the marvels on display in museums including the Uffizi Gallery, the 16th-century palace that houses some of the greatest treasures in art history. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Dante, Raphael, Donatello, Boccaccio, Botticelli, Fra Angelico and Machiavelli are just some of the great masters who lived and worked here.

But Florence is not only an artistic and cultural mecca. It is also a shopping capital. It is the venue of the Florence Biennale, which explores the relationship between fashion, art and architecture, film, photography and design. Florence also hosts the flagship exhibitions for the fashion industry Pitti Uomo (menswear) and Pitti Bimbo (childrens wear). And of course, the city’s elegant streets are packed with exquisite boutiques full of top brands, which work in respectful harmony with their surroundings. So, armed with a good guide to Florence’s architectural treasures to make sure you don’t miss any en route, you can begin a monumental shopping trip.

The starting point is Piazza del Duomo, the city’s best-known landmark, which includes the cathedral, the Baptistery and the Campanile. Though dazzled by its beauty, fashion-lovers can’t miss out on number 29, where Monti showcases designs by footwear specialist El Naturalista, whose easy-wear, young-look eco shoes are just the ticket for a long walk around the city. Rubbing shoulders with the Duomo is Piazza de San Giovanni, and number 13 is the place to find Bologna, where you can buy shoes by Ras. This extraordinarily creative, arty brand even has a model inspired by Velázquez’s Meninas. Bologna also sells footwear by Pedro García whose shoes are miniature avant-garde sculptures.

A little further on you will reach Via Borgo San Lorenzo, where Desii offers more dazzling Spanish shoe creations: Neosens (which links tradition with new technology in its designs), Art (characterful shoes with a young and innovative edge), Victoria (and its legendary plimsolls, now an icon of Spanish fashion) and Sendra Boots (with a thousand and one versions of cowboy boots, for every size, age and gender). Not far away, at 52, Via Ricasoli, Carpe Diem has designs by Hoss Intropia, which dresses cosmopolitan women from all over the world in its eclectic creations.

At 8 to 20, Via de Cerretani, a bit further south, are the Gilardini boutiques which sell the subtly feminine shoes of Salvador Sapena.

Continue down the ancient Via degli Speziali, built by the Romans and restored during the Renaissance. At number 10 is the Romano Firenze shop, where you will find a host of Spanish brands, like bold Wonders (with its carefully decorated soles) and Vienty, the city-loving brand that is proving such a huge hit in Italy.

Just around the corner is one of two branches of Zara (the trendy Inditex-group flagship) in the city at 17, Via Calimala, where it sells its women's and children’s wear. For menswear, (as well as more designs for women), you have to walk on to 1, Piazza della Reppublica, where, as well as taking a few pictures, you can sample a snack at Le Giubbe Rosse, Italy’s most famous literary café.

Another of the Inditex group's formats is Massimo Dutti, at 5, Via Roma, which is one of the 470 shops which the men’s and women’s urbanwear brand has in 38 countries.

At 56, Via dei Calzaiuoli is Coin with more eco footwear by El Naturalista, as well as ultra-chic designs by Mango and unique garments by Desigual, whose irreverent style is a huge success in Italy.

A few blocks further on, at 12, Via Vacchereccia, is La Badia which sells the solid quality of Unisa, with its comfort footwear for today’s woman. Heading west, you will reach 11-13, Via dell’Anguillara where Peruzzi sells quality eco designs by Pikolinos.

Southwards, down the Via Pellicceria, will take you to the medieval streets of the old part of the city, replete with craft workshops, restaurants and bars, and will bring you out on to the River Arno. Here you will arrive at the Ponte Vecchio, Europe’s oldest and most beautiful bridge. Even Hitler ordered his troops to spare it from bombardment, perhaps because he knew that this was where the best views of the city could be glimpsed from. As you leave the bridge, you will walk onto Via de Gucciardini, where a couple of multi-brand shops have more surprises in store: at number 20, Del Secco Bruna & Figlio has a corner full of colourful children’s outfits by Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada; and, at 112, footwear multinational Shoe Biz sells XTI (bold youthwear which has rocketed to fame since it signed actress Michelle Jenner as the face of its autumn/winter 09/10 campaign), and sister brand Hoyvoy, with its provocative boots and shoes.

The same street leads on to the Piazza de Pitti where you can see the gigantic Palazzo Pitti, with its incredible rooms and huge art gallery. Leaving the Palazzo and back on Via Romana as far as Santa Maria where, at number 47, you will find a Camper shop which offers another opportunity to relieve tired feet with its legendary “pelotas”, and their rubber soles that simply glide over the asphalt.

If you hail a cab, you can reach a shop that is a little off the beaten track at 71, Via Pisana Int, where Sogno di Sposa offers a genuine bridal paradise for anyone getting married, with luxury designs by Pronovias to choose from.

Your shopping complete, it’s time to unwind on the Piazza Santo Spirito, worth the visit, not just for its fascinating church (considered the last masterpiece designed by Brunelleschi), but because it is an excellent spot for dinner and a drink. A hive of activity by day, with its markets, antique and craft shops, the square is transformed at sunset into a hub of restaurants, clubs and nightlife to suit all tastes.