MILAN SHOPPING TOUR
The idea of a tailor-made trip to Milan, Italy’s most un-Italian city might bewilder you at first. Milan’s atmosphere seems much more Frankfurt than Florence.
The industrial powerhouse of the north has more office buildings than churches. Therefore it takes a while to warm up with. But when it comes to shopping its glamour and charm is unrivalled!
Fabulous Duomo
First, begin your Milan exploration in Piazza del Duomo, the city’s beating heart. Dominated by the stunning, medieval cathedral it s the best starting point for your tour.
Once there head right towards the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the oldest covered shopping arcade in town. Ultimately it’s the epic centre of the fashion and nicknamed “Il Salotto di Milano” (Milan’s drawing room). When there skip the rip-off cafès and head towards the left until you find the image of a bull on the mosaic floor. A local superstition claims that spinning three times on the bull’s attributes brings good luck. And you will need it on as there are plenty of bargains waiting for your discovery.
Chic bargains
Afterwards head to Venezia/Corso Buenos Aires. Overall this is Milan’s prime shopping area. Spent hours of complete bliss browsing through large department stores, cheap clothing boutiques and shoe shops. Next stop, Porta Magenta is a relatively quiet area home to Via Vercelli. This shopping is street less busy and easier to shop in than the city centre. It hosts a wide selection of merchandise, but is mostly known for its fantastic shoe shops. Above all Milan is an haute couture hub, where fashions jump from catwalk to clothes rail in weeks. But unlike the sprawling fashion districts in Paris or London, Milan’s boutiques fit into a one square. This square is commonly known as the Quadrilatero d’Oro (‘rectangle of gold’). Most importantly, if you don’t want to torture your plastic, we recommend one of the many outlet stores. In fact, check out the Il Savagente known as “the lifesaver”.
Vintage paradise
Alternatively try the area around Porta Romana which is another former city gate of Milan. These days, it is mainly a residential area with a young population. Here the shopping area offers a variety of goods. From clothing to furniture, from jewellery to oddities. Keep your eyes open as the next bargain could be lurking in one of the small boutiques in the area.
I need shoes
Tucked away in the north of the city is Isola. This neighbourhood is considered Milan’s best kept secret. You will find anything from shops selling ceramics to end-of-season clothes. Very similar with an emphasis on art and street markets is the hip Navigli. Another shopping zone in the city, but one of the world’s most sought-after and famous fashion centres, is Via Montenapoleone. First and foremost it’s the home of many well-known fashion designers and the most exclusive Italian shoemakers.
End your day at Porta Sempione, a vibrant area with a good nightlife. Apart from more shops you will find here many restaurants and bars. After all it is also one of the cheaper parts of Milan, so you are more likely to find a bargain here.
And because styles generally reach London around a year after launch in Italy, you will fly home laden with shopping bags of the very latest fashion. Your friends will be jealous!
Contact us for more info: info@ato-tours.com
See you in Milan!
Brief Itinerary and Tour Highlights
- 2-night stay in centrally located 4-star hotel
- Personal shopping guide
- Restaurant recommendations
- Fully bonded & insured
- Safe booking
- Flexible payment and cancellation policy
- A private shopping guide can be provided on request