Lake Maggiore shopping opportunities are plentiful. The lake has a surprising amount in store for shopaholics! Hopefully our guide will help you find the best outlet malls, designer boutiques and lakeside markets.
There are several markets in the many towns and villages on Lake Maggiore. The most famous of these is the market in Luino that dates back to 1541. This is one of the biggest weekly markets in Europe with as many as 350 market stalls lining the main roads in town. Held on a Wednesday all year round, it draws bargain hunters from as far away as Germany, Holland and Switzerland.
| Monday | 8 – 1 | Portovaltravaglia |
| 8 – 1 | Baveno | |
| Tuesday | 9 – 12 | Laveno |
| 8 – 12.30 | Arona | |
| 8 – 1 | Ascona | |
| Wednesday | 8 – 1 | Luino |
| Thursday | 8 – 12 | Locarno |
| Friday | 8 – 1 | Stresa |
| 8 – 12 | Cannero | |
| 8 – 12 | Pallanza | |
| 8.30 – 12.30 | Maccagno | |
| Saturday | 8 – 5 | Verbania Intra |
| 8 – 1 | Ponte Tresa | |
| Sunday | 8 – 1 | Cannobio |
The markets on Lake Maggiore will give you a chance to to spend a few hours shopping for food and bargains galore. The larger markets also have plenty of leather goods on offer too.
Shopaholics will also love a trip to Milan. Milan’s Golden Triangle, where the most famous fashion shops can be found. Milan is also home to one of the most beautiful shopping centres in the world – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Lots of designer shops are also to be found on neighbouring Lake Lugano in Switzerland. The main town – Lugano – is easily accessible from Lake Maggiore.
Alternatively, for some cheaper Lake Maggiore shopping, there are some great outlet malls nearby for you to enjoy. Foxtown, in Mendrisio, is an outlet centre where the most famous international brands offer their products at factory prices direct to the customer. Alternatively, it’s worth visiting Vicolungo Outlets or at The Place Luxury Outlet. Both are approximately an hours drive from the southern tip of the lake. Or, finally, a bit further afield still there is also the McArthur Glen Serravalle Designer Outlet which boasts around 180 stores. All outlet malls offer discounts of between 30% and 70% on normal prices.
In Omegna, a little village on nearby Lake Orta, Alessi has a fantastic factory and outlet shop. Open daily, it displays the current line at discounts, as well as discontinued items at even deeper savings. Best of all, it’s a chance to see their entire line, from espresso cups to can-openers. Well worth a trip if you are a fan of their products.
Often passed through on the way to Lake Maggiore by those arriving from Milan, Varese is sometimes described as a ‘little Milan’ and has a stylish town centre with a pedestrian shopping street. Why not start your Lake Maggiore shopping experience here on the way to your villa or apartment? There is plentiful underground parking below La Corti shopping centre. There is also often a Sunday market in the square in front of La Corti selling excellent local produce.
