Going on holiday to Milan? Then you must’ve invariably heard that Milan is a great place for shopping. What can you buy in Milan? What souvenirs or gifts, cheeses or sweets, shirts or shoes and whatever else can you bring back with you? Let’s take a look at that today.
Panettone
This delicious yeasty Christmas sweetbread is a perfect gift to bring back from Italy. It’ll last a few weeks in its packaging, so don’t fret about the journey. Though you can opt to make Panettone on your own, you can also always just choose to buy it. You can read more about Christmas traditions in Italy here.
Where can you find the best Panettone in Milan? Look for it at:
- PASTICCERIA CUCCHI Corso Genova, 1
- PASTICCERIA COVA Via Montenapoleone, 8
- PASTICCERIA RANIERI Via della Moscova, 7
Arborio Rice
Do you like risotto or rice in general? Well, Arborio rice is perfect for any task. It comes from, shockingly, a town named Arborio (located in the Piedmont region, in the Po Valley). You can buy it practically everywhere in Milan, including the Peck Delicatessen mentioned later.
Clothing and accessories
Milan and fashion go together like no other duo. Brands such as Valentino, Zegna, Armani, Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana are all based here. And it’s impossible to look at pictures of Milan without seeing the luxury boutiques and outlet stores. If you’re already in the Lombardian capital, where should you shop for clothes, luxurious or not?
- Corso Como 10 – This is a place full of beautiful artsy clothes. Located in the Moscova district (concept store)
- La Rinascente department store – Located just by Piazza del Duomo. Lots of boutiques and a beautiful view of the Milan Cathedral!
- Slam Jam – Located Via Giovanni Lanza, 1. More street-fashion focused.
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – the selection may not be the biggest, but it’s definitely the most famous place on the Milan map where you can shop. You have likely seen plenty of people with photos here, but don’t let that discourage you from taking your own! It’s a great place for it, make use of it (mostly luxury boutiques)
Campari
Campari is a traditional Italian liqueur created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari. Its distinctive colour came from carmine dye from crushed insects. The first production was formed near Milan, in Sesto San Giovanni. Of course, you may have already seen Campari on your local liquor shelves, but it hits different when you buy it from the source itself. You’ll find it practically anywhere in Milan.
Ramazzotti
The first Amaro on our list. Ramazzotti dates back to 1815, when Ausano Ramazzotti created it for one of the local pharmacies. From the middle of the same century it was also served in bars in Milan, including the first one at La Scala. It’s not as popular as Campari, but you will find it in many markets in Milan, and it’s wonderful in its own way.
Peck Milan Delicatessen
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If you want to stock up on general local products in Milan, search for Peck. You’ll find products sold by weight, be it olive oil, wines, cheeses or, of course, prosciutto. You can also buy more fancy stuff, like white truffles. The shop has a wide range of local products from Lombardy, Piedmont and the north of Italy in general.
Where is Peck in Milan? At Via Spadari, 9.
Sport stuff
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Italians love their football, there’s no doubt about that. After all, there are literal football shrines in Italy. Along with Naples and Rome, Milan, too, is a football icon on the Italian map. What shops of famous teams can you find here? AC Milan, Inter Milan and even Juventus Turin! You can buy all kinds of souvenirs, like mugs, scarves or key rings.
- AC Milan shop in Milan: Galleria S. Carlo
- Inter Milan shop in Milan: Galleria Passarella, 2
- Juventus shop in Milan: Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 8
Francesco Maglia umbrellas
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Want the perfect gift idea from Milan? Buy a wonderfully crafted umbrella from Franceso Maglia! You’ll find their workshop at Via Ripamonti 194 and their products at, for example, Corso Genova 28 or via Moscova 60. You can buy a ready-made model for €70 a piece or order a special one for yourself for as much as €400 – €500. You can choose from a wide range of materials and designs.
Chocolate
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Though Milan itself may not be the capital of chocolate, nearby Piedmont certainly is. As such, you can stock up on the best chocolates in Milan, from Gianduiotto, D.Barbero, Cioccolata Venchi or Perugina. For those with a tighter budget, there is always the famous Ferrero, the maker of Nutella. Chocolate spread from Pernigotti is also a great purchase. If you want to buy inexpensive chocolates in Milan, we recommend Baci.
Gorgonzola Piccante and Gorgonzola Dolce
Made from pasteurised milk, Gorgonzola Piccante and Dolce are some of Italy’s best and most famous cheeses. They mature for 80 and 45 days respectively, which influences their taste. Piccante has a stronger, tangy flavour, while dolce has more of a milky, delicate one. The sharper version of Gorgonzola is ideal with Port, Marsala or honey, the softer version with champagne.
How much does Gorgonzola cost in Milan? From €14 per kg.
Fernet
Fernet is a traditional Italian digestivo. The addition of saffron, chamomile and aloe vera gives it a distinctive mint-like flavour, which, to be honest, may not be everyone’s favourite. Fernet was once advertised as a cure for various ailments and is still often used in homes today.
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