Markets and Vintage Shopping

Milan's shopping is not only about fashion houses and chain stores. The city has a rich scene of vintage shops, flea markets, antiques fairs and neighbourhood food markets, where browsing is a way to discover everyday Milan and to find objects with a story. Many Milanese, including designers and stylists, hunt for vintage clothes, mid-century furniture and design pieces at these markets, and the atmosphere is relaxed and sociable.

Mercatone dell'Antiquariato

The largest antiques market in the city takes place once a month along the Naviglio Grande, with hundreds of stalls stretching along both banks of the canal. Dealers sell furniture, ceramics, silver, jewellery, prints, books, vintage clothes and curiosities. It draws large crowds, so we arrive early in the morning, when the light on the canal is soft and the best pieces are still available. The surrounding cafés and restaurants make it easy to stop for lunch. Our Navigli guide describes the district.

Fiera di Senigallia

Every Saturday, the Fiera di Senigallia sets up along the Darsena, the old harbour at the end of the Navigli. It is one of Milan's oldest flea markets, selling second-hand clothes, records, books, crafts from many countries, vintage objects and small curiosities. It is informal and lively, and bargaining is part of the experience. We go with time to browse and an open mind.

East Market

East Market, held periodically in a former industrial space in the Lambrate area, is a large vintage and second-hand market where private sellers and dealers offer clothes, furniture, design objects and records. It has a young, creative atmosphere with food trucks and music, and it has become one of the most popular vintage events in the city. Dates are announced on its own channels.

Vintage shops

Milan has many vintage boutiques, some specialising in designer clothing from the 1960s to the 1990s, others in mid-century furniture and design. They cluster in Brera, the Navigli, Isola and around Porta Venezia. Designer pieces are carefully chosen, and staff are often knowledgeable about the history of the pieces. For a wider overview of shopping streets, see our Milan shopping guide.

Food markets

Milan's municipal covered markets sell fruit, vegetables, cheeses, meat, fish and prepared food, and some have been renovated with food stalls and bars. The Mercato Centrale inside Milano Centrale station combines food counters with places to eat, and the covered market on Via Paolo Sarpi serves the Chinatown neighbourhood. Open-air neighbourhood markets set up in different streets on different days. For the city's traditional dishes and produce, see our Milanese food guide.

Think about what you can carry

Markets are tempting places to buy ceramics, books and small homeware, but we consider luggage space and the journey back. Sellers will usually wrap fragile goods, and larger dealers can sometimes arrange shipping. Cash is useful at flea markets, though many stalls now accept cards. For furniture, we ask about delivery before agreeing a sale.

Browse thoughtfully

Vintage shopping rewards patience. Check seams, fastenings and labels, and ask about returns before buying. At outdoor markets, keep valuables secure, especially in crowds, follow stallholders' guidance and leave room for others in narrow aisles. Photograph goods only when the seller is happy with it.

Our view

We plan a market morning around one main market and a nearby district: the antiques market with lunch on the Navigli, the Saturday flea market with a walk along the canals, or vintage shops in Brera with the Pinacoteca. The markets show a more personal side of Milan than the boutiques, and the objects we find there tend to become our favourite souvenirs. A bakery stop for a slice of panettone makes a sweet end to the morning.