[2023 GUIDE] The Best Shopping Places in Milan | TrotterHop

Shopping in Milan offers some of the best retail experiences in the world. Milan is known for its incredible fashion, high-end luxury labels, and designer shops. With so many shops, deciding which ones to visit cannot be easy. To help make your decision, we have compiled a list of Milan’s best shops. 

No matter what type of shopping experience you are looking for, Milan has it. From department stores to vintage shops and trendy boutiques, you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for. Many designer shops offer great deals due to VAT refunds and transport costs. 

So, the next time you are in Milan, visit some of the city’s incredible shops.

The Best Places for Shopping in Milan

1. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a 19th-century arcade with a breathtaking iron-and-glass structure and a beautiful mosaic floor. It is conveniently located just seconds away from the Duomo Cathedral. It is the perfect spot for a shopping spree, with high-end stores like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana. After a day of shopping, visitors can relax in one of the gallery bars and observe the bustling crowds.

2. Via Monte Napoleone

Via Monte Napoleone is the most exclusive and luxurious shopping street in the world. Located in Italy’s Quadrilatero della Moda shopping district, this street is home to boutiques and stores stocked with designer items. Names such as Gucci, Armani, Prada, and D&G can be found here.  

When shopping in Via Monte Napoleone, shoppers can find a wide range of high-end items. Designer clothing, fine Italian shoes, and luxury accessories from Italian and international brands are all available.

3. 10 Corso Como

A trip to 10 Corso Como is a must when visiting Milan. Founded by Carla Sozzani in 1990, it is the first concept shop. It is home to a boutique, a book store, art, a café, and an entire gallery. It is filled with chic items, and the venue itself is beautiful. It is worth visiting just for the venue.

4. Porta Nuova

Porta Nuova is Milan’s central business district, the perfect destination for a shopping spree. After two decades of urban revitalization, what was once an industrial area is now a vibrant zone with plenty of green spaces and pedestrianized walkways. Corso Como is a trendy, pedestrian-only street with shops, bookstores, bars, and restaurants. One of the most popular stops is 10 Corso Como, a concept store that offers a boutique, art bookstore, and gallery.

If you’re looking to splurge, Via Castelfidardo is the place to be. Here, you can find original designer women’s bags and clothing collections. Piazza Gae Aulenti is also worth a visit, as it’s full of modern shops and department stores, such as Muji, Nike, and Sephora.

5. Via Della Spiga

If you’re looking for the perfect place to shop in Milan, Via della Spiga is the place to go. Located in the Quadrilatero della Moda and similar to Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga is home to a variety of high-end boutiques and shops. This shopping district is closed to traffic, providing the perfect environment for an enjoyable stroll, window shopping, and buying whatever catches your eye. Between your shopping adventures, you can take a break at one of the trendy cafes.

This street is a sight to behold with its beautiful old buildings, boasting Neoclassicist elements and touches of Baroque. You’ll likely spend half the time shopping and the other half taking pictures of the architecture.

If you’re looking for designer wear, Via della Spiga has many options. Cavalli, D&G, and Armani are just a few of the brands on offer.

6. La Rinascente

La Rinascente is a magnificent department store in Milan’s iconic Piazza del Duomo. This luxurious shopping destination boasts ten floors of designer clothing, makeup, homeware, and more. There is also a wide selection of excellent restaurants available. 

For a unique shopping experience, La Rinascente provides visitors with an unparalleled view of the city. The food hall on the top floor offers stunning panoramas of Milan, with an array of delicious culinary options to match. Shopping at La Rinascente is an unforgettable experience that can’t be found anywhere else.

7. Corso Buenos Aires

Via Monte Napoleone is the place to go for upscale fashion shopping in Milan. However, Corso Buenos Aires is the hub for more affordable high street purchases. This shopping area boasts hundreds of shops and outlets in stunning 19th and 20th-century buildings. As you take a stroll, you can admire the gorgeous art nouveau architecture, as well as take a break to enjoy some delicious Italian coffee.

When it comes to what to buy in Corso Buenos Aires, you’ll find high-street clothing from well-known brands like H&M, Zara, and Nike. It’s the perfect spot to go all-out shopping for your favorite fashion items, making it one of the best shopping areas in Milan.

8. Via Dante

Elegant Via Dante in Milan is a pedestrian street lined with beautiful buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a popular destination for visitors, boasting a variety of upscale shops to explore. From chain stores to gift shops, visitors will find a mix of offerings.

The real highlight of Via Dante is the Milan restaurants and bars. Visitors should plan to spend some time exploring the excellent food and drinks the city has to offer.

Shoppers looking to take home a souvenir or a home décor item should check out the Italian souvenirs and home décor items available in the shops.

9. Slam Jam

Since 1989, the Italian streetwear institution has been a popular destination for shoppers looking for hard-to-come-by independent brands and limited-edition drops. The store is always buzzing with customers in Ferrara, near Sempione Park. For sneakerheads, the best way to catch upcoming drops is to check the website ahead of time.

10. Via Torino

Via Torino is one of the best shopping places in Milan. Located on Milan’s oldest streets, the historic buildings on Via Torino are juxtaposed with trendy shops and the young crowd it attracts. 

This area of Milan offers shoppers a wide selection of bargain-priced items. One can shop for clothing, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, home décor, and furniture, making it a one-stop destination for everyone. 

Via Torino is the perfect place to find what you need, whether clothing, accessories, or home decor.

11. Cormano Flea Market

Cormano Flea Market is one of the largest flea markets in Europe and an excellent place to shop in Milan. It is open only for a few hours on Saturdays, from 6 am to 1 pm, so arriving early is best. You will be amazed by its immense size, and it will take days to explore every corner.

The market is stocked with various items, from pottery and household goods to books and furniture. You can even find imitation brands here. However, what makes Cormano Flea Market unique is its renowned silk industry. There is a wide selection of exquisite fabrics, so you should be on the lookout for silk. 

In summary, Cormano Flea Market is an ideal destination for shopping in Milan. Get there early and look for silk, pottery, and household items.

12. Golden Square

Italy is the world’s fashion capital, and its hub is located in the Quadrilatero d’Oro, or the “golden quadrilateral.” This area is made up of three streets: Via Montenapoleone (known as Montenapo), Via della Spiga, and Via Sant’Andrea. 

The streets of the Quadrilatero d’Oro are lined with high-end fashion stores, boasting elegant window displays filled with items from some of the world’s top fashion labels, such as Prada and Gucci.  Shopping in this area is an experience not to be missed.

13. Via Brera

Via Brera is a must-see for those looking for a unique shopping experience. This boho-chic district is home to a variety of fine jewelry, antiques, art boutiques, and designer wear. After shopping, you can also enjoy a break in one of the many bistros and bars. 

For an even more memorable shopping experience, Via Brera also offers Olfattorio Bar à Parfums. This shop allows you to personalize a fragrance to suit your tastes. In addition, the district is also home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, a public gallery of Italian paintings, making it the perfect escape for the art-lover. 

Whether it’s antiques, jewelry, or personalized perfume you’re after, Via Brera has something for everyone. And with vibrant nightlife, you can even get a taste of Italy while shopping here!

14. Pupi Solari

Pupi Solari is a longstanding arbiter of Milanese style and the unofficial uniformer of the city’s bourgeoisie. Owned and operated by Pupi, an octogenarian, the shop opened in the 1960s and still thrives today. 

At Pupi Solari, shoppers will discover a thoughtful curation of pared-back brands such as Aspesi, Jil Sander, and Massimo Alba, as well as stylish clothing for children. With its understated yet ultra-chic pieces, Pupi Solari will surely have something for everyone.

15. Markets of Milan

The Fiera di Sinigaglia open-air flea market is a popular destination for a fun and unique shopping experience. Every Saturday, the market occurs in Milan’s Ticinese Canal quarter. Here, shoppers can find various items, such as retro 1970s disco tops, South American knitwear, CDs, fancy shoes, military gear, and old comic books. The Fiera di Sinigaglia open-air flea market offers an array of items that cannot be found in the designer centers.

16. La DoubleJ

La DoubleJ is a ready-to-wear line specializing in colorful, maximalist womenswear. JJ Martin, a former fashion journalist and American ex-pat, founded it. It started as an online vintage retailer but has evolved into a unique fashion line. 

The showroom also doubles as its headquarters and is located in Navigli. It’s hard to miss, as prints are on the table, floor, walls, chairs, and even the ceiling. If you’d like to visit, email laservice@ladoublej to book an appointment.

17. Peck

The Peck food store is legendary for its offerings of delicious food. Stop by the deli counter and sample some mouth-watering delights, such as black truffles, spicy Gorgonzola, and Tuscan ham. Then, head upstairs for a more complete experience and enjoy a coffee, cheese platter, and sweet treat. Bottles of Barolo red wine are also available to purchase.

18. Bivio

Milan’s most fashion-forward crowd has to clear out their closets now and then. For the best deals on designer garments, they turn to Bivio. Here, you can find last season’s Marni or Prada items at the same price as a Zara dress. Roll up your sleeves and start rummaging through Bivio’s overflowing racks to take advantage of these bargains. The shop has three stores in the city – two in the Ticinese district via Mora and one in Porta Venezia. If you want to be the first to know about the latest second-hand arrivals, follow Bivio on social media.

19. Frip

Frip is a fashion boutique that has been around for nearly 25 years, steps away from the beautiful Colonne di San Lorenzo. It offers a unique selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women from some of the best British, French, and Scandinavian brands. Frip stands out from the many fast-fashion stores that have recently taken over the city and instead focuses on providing longer-lasting, understated fashion pieces that can become wardrobe staples.

20. Via Manzoni

Georgia Armani’s multi-concept store, Spazio Armani, is on the elegant Via Manzoni and spans 6,000 square meters. The store offers shoppers a variety of items ranging from fashion to interior design, flowers, and hi-tech Sony equipment. 

After shopping, visitors can enjoy an aperitif or coffee at the upstairs Emporio Armani Café. Alternatively, they can book a table at the Japanese Nobu restaurant.