Your Guide to Shopping in Milan

Being one of the biggest fashion capitals, people often associate Milan with a rich and glamorous lifestyle. And while there are high-end shops in almost every street, what visitors often don’t realize is that there are places to shop for any price point, style, and preference. And they are just as good as the Prada boutiques. That's why we asked Sianna Marinova - an expert at shopping in Milan, to share her shopping tips with us and you. 

About Milan

Milan is a multicultural city that attracts tourists from all over the world but let’s not forget that real people live there as well – students and working people, who don’t particularly care about trends and golden shop windows. You'll meet these different types of people on the streets of Milan, they create an interesting diversity, the overall look of the city and the street style.

What's more, before you start shopping, you don’t need to look for the newest trends in the fashion magazines, just look on the street. Every area of Milan has a different style.. Get a ton of inspiration by just observing the people while enjoying your aperitivo in the evening. Then get to the serious business – shopping!

Quadrilatero d'Oro

Photo by Alexi Romano via Unsplash

Milan’s *Quadrilatero d’Oro*, or Golden Square, is a treasure trove of high fashion, and its crown jewel, Via Monte Napoleone, is now the world’s most expensive shopping street. While my wallet firmly keeps me in the "window-shopping only" category, wandering here is still a delight—and thankfully, peeking into those stunning displays costs nothing. The street sparkles with opulent boutiques from every top designer you can imagine.

Each window feels like a masterpiece, showcasing runway-ready pieces that exude glamour. It’s like stepping into a dream of Milanese elegance, even if all I leave with is inspiration. There’s a unique joy in watching fashionistas stride confidently by and catching the whispers of excitement from fellow admirers. If you’re in Milan, take a stroll here—you don’t have to buy anything to feel like you’re part of the high-fashion magic. Who knows, one day I might just step inside!

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is probably in every guidebook, but there is a good reason why. There are not that many places where you can shop high-end brands in a royal atmosphere like this. The historic building’s architecture is opulent yet with a lot of natural light during the day.

When you think it can’t be more beautiful, take a look up, and you will be rewarded by another stunning view of the glass dome. Named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, this Art Nouveau building was built between 1865 and 1877 which makes it one of the oldest shopping centers in the world. Here you can find an iconic Prada store, followed by Versace, Armani, Vuitton, and Swarovski. When you are tired of exploring the gallery, numerous restaurants and cafes are available inside and around.

La Rinascente

La Rinascente is an eight-story department store located just next to Vittorio Emanuele and across from the Duomo. This must-visit store has a contemporary interior and an amazing selection of designer brands.

A whole floor is dedicated to interiors and product design, where you can find not only your next coffee table but inspiration for redecorating your whole apartment. The Food Hall, located on the 7th floor, offers international cuisine, sweets to tempt you after a long shopping haul, and a refined selection of gifts. The balcony offers a whole new perspective of the Cathedral Square from above and is definitely not to be missed.

10 Corso Como

10 Corso Como is both the name of the street and the design complex that is situated there. Created by the popular fashion publisher and gallerist Carla Sozzani, the complex combines a gallery, store, restaurant and bookshop all in one . They offer a wide variety of carefully selected art, design, music and fashion items. Here’s a tip: ask the staff for directions to the outlet!

Navigli Canal

The Navigli Canal area in Milan offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and charm. Its bohemian vibe attracts visitors looking for unique experiences. The lively bars and cozy cafes lining the canal are perfect for unwinding, while vintage shops and handmade jewelry boutiques provide treasures for curious shoppers. The area comes alive on the last Sunday of each month with a renowned antique bazaar, featuring everything from furniture to rare collectibles. At night, the canals light up, creating a magical setting for evening strolls or romantic dinners. It's a must-visit!

Street Markets

Some street markets are organized for bargain hunters and antique collectors. Check for current information before going, and always ask the locals for the best advice on this type of shopping.

Just a few examples:

Mercatino Filatelico is for collectors of stamps and coins.

Mercato della Terra is where you'll find organic local products,

Viale Papiniano cannot be beaten when it comes to buying designer fashion at bargain basement prices. You've got everything here, from shoes to outfits to accessories. The market runs from Tuesday to Saturday between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday it ends later—around 6 p.m., although some stalls close earlier. To me, this is the best spot for shopping in Milan.

Piazza Diaz second-hand book market, with many international booksellers, at Piazza Diaz every second Sunday of the month.

Brera

Picturesque Brera is a very artistic and bohemian district which means that you can find many small independent boutiques,  artisan shops and pieces that are indeed made in Italy.

Porta Ticinese

Porta Ticinese is the young, hip and alternative area for shopping. 

The square in front of the San Lorenzo Basilica is crowded with people in the evening. Sitting on the floor with their friends, drinking and smoking, this place, and the bars around, are full of young people having fun till the wee-hours of the morning. Every single night! No wonder that the shops cater to a certain age. From vintage shops and tattoo parlors to hipster shoe shops and Japanese boutiques.

Prices are decent so take a look if you are searching for a bargain!

Milan's Outlets

There are many outlets in the suburbs of Milan as well as in the city. The most popular one is probably the Fidenza Village where you can find great bargains on designer goods including a fancy Furla bag for up to 70% off. They even have a luxury bus service that you can book. Many Asian tourists come shopping in Milan just to visit the outlets.