Milan
Overlooking the revitalised Darsena, where boats once docked in medieval Milan, the city's main food market now has a swish new glass-and-steel enclosure…
Must-see shopping in The Italian Lakes
Consorzio Olivicoltori di Malcesine
Lake Garda
Olives harvested around Malcesine are milled into first-rate extra virgin olive oil by this local consortium. You can sample the product here. Known as …
Milan
Since 1909 this historic shop has been satisfying stationery lovers with its timeless selection of goods. Discover notebooks and pencils from the 1950s,…
Lake Orta
Established in the small town of Omegna on Lago d'Orta in 1921, Alessi went on to transform modern kitchens with humorous, ultracool utensils designed by…
Milan
Said to be the biggest farmer's market in Lombardy, it's also proudly dedicated to 0km produce, which means all goods come from local suppliers in Italy's…
Milan
The former home of Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (founder of the futurist movement) has been turned into a three-level store embodying the whimsical style of…
Como
First opened in 1919, this is the last remaining silk shop in town dedicated to selling Como-designed-and-made silk ties, scarves, throws and sarongs…
Duomo & San Babila
There's a touch of Breakfast at Tiffany’s meets old-school Milan at this concept store created by Chichi Meroni. The refined interiors of the cafe…
Bellagio
A deli-cum–grocery shop piled high with Larian goodies, among them dried porcini mushrooms, DOP Laghi Lombardi-Lario olive oil, missoltini (dried fish)…
Milan
Fumetti (comics) are an obsession in Italy, and SuperGulp caters well with racks and racks of beautifully illustrated classic, popular and fantasy comics,…
Duomo & San Babila
The world’s oldest bicycle manufacturing company has opened an enormous multipurpose space in the city where it was born. Decked out in famous Bianchi…
Como
This smart little shop is run by designer Simona Trombetta, responsible for much of the well-priced contemporary jewellery made with brass, bronze, silver…
Milan
Midcentury shops are surprisingly thin on the ground in Milan (presumably because everyone was wise enough to hold onto their hand-me-down Arco lamps and…
Milan
This 1930s studio is a blast from the past with its wood-framed cabinets packed with frames, ranging from vintage '60s butterfly lenses to chic modern…
Milan
It all began in Padua with Marol Paresi combining her love of travel and her craft skills to create ethnically inspired and artfully beaded, embroidered…
Lake Como
This delightful ceramics shop is a fine place to browse for gift ideas. You'll find artfully wrought vases, bowls, vases, mugs, ornaments, picture frames…
Milan
This is probably Milan's leading commercial photographic gallery. It showcases the work of internationally famous photographers such as William Klein and…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Head to Risi for a dose of effortless Milanese chic. Here you can stock up on soft grey and white linen shirts and trousers; honeycomb polo shirts in…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Elizabeth Paradon's unique handworked jewellery is coveted the world over by celebrities and fashionistas. Combining micro-Murano glass beads, gold,…
Duomo & San Babila
You can’t fail to notice illustrator Federico Monzani’s joyful shop window sporting a host of his imaginative cartoon characters, graphic T-shirts and…
Milan
Kristina Ti specialises in things that are swoon-inducingly pretty but never one-dimensionally girly. Her collection includes very wearable slouchy t…
Como
Wines, vintage whiskies and grappas, along with olive oils and balsamic vinegars, line the walls of this sociable wine shop and bar. Drop by in the…
Lake Garda
This 40-shop mall on busy Viale Rovereto boasts a free toilet, free wi-fi, a supermarket, free parking, a bookshop selling local maps, an outdoor…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Hidden at the back of a leafy courtyard, you'll find a surprisingly serene and well-curated outlet store. With three levels of apparel for men and women…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Amelia’s kidswear collection is a triumph of restrained style, mixing ruffles, rhinestones and hand-stitched detailing with simple shapes and the softest…
Milan
The ultimate money look – silk ties, cashmere T-shirts, embellished purses and bolts of lavishly patterned fabric – at plebeian prices. Upstairs you'll…
Milan
Stuffy offices beg to be misted with Culti's green-tea room spray, and spice-spiked candles turn ordinary bathrooms into beauty temples. Habits Culti has…
Lake Maggiore West Bank
Souvenir stalls have arrived on Isola Superiore but this charming little ceramics shop is a serious studio, making perfectly executed pieces in cracked…
Milan
This city-wide chain of inventive toy stores has been mini Milanese for decades. Given that this is a design city there's a heavy emphasis on Bauhaus…
Milan
Gallo may spice up its seasonal collections but it’s the perennial striped knee socks in silk, cotton, wool and cashmere that locals love for adding…
Lake Garda
A rare Italian junk shop and real Aladdin's cave selling everything from 1990s Nokia phones and art-deco lampshades to 1970s stuffed toys and defunct…
Milan
Franco Jacassi's multilevel store stocks pristine vintage woollens, 1930s evening wear from Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and Vionnet, belts, buckles, bags,…
Mercato dell'Artigianato e Antiquariato
Como
A monthly antique market fills the piazza in front of the Basilica di San Fedele on the first Saturday of each month; on subsequent Saturdays, the market…
Bellagio
Lili Barone and Gabriel Kantor turn out exquisite etchings, engravings and other design products from their studio high in Bellagio's old town. Opening…
Milan
Rocking a range of mod-vintage styles from the 1950s and '60s, this cult eyewear brand from Abruzzo crafts beautiful made-in-Italy frames that you won't…
Milan
Stocked to the rafters with classic vinyl, and used and new CDs, this tiny shop is heaven for music aficionados searching out that hard-to-find '70s…
Bellagio
Como's renowned silk manufacturing industry sends ties, scarves and other accessories up the road to this small Bellagio shop.
Bellagio
Magda Guaitamacchi turns out gorgeous ceramic and porcelain pieces that have gone on show around the world.
Milan
Opened in late 2017, this is the biggest urban shopping district Italy has ever seen. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, its streamlined bamboo interior…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
It’s easy to miss this hidden gem at the end of Via Correnti, despite the neon sign. Founded by local designers Marta Caffarelli and Viola Naj Oleari, the…
