10 Best Shopping Malls in Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an iconic covered shopping arcade that’s been here seemingly forever, with mosaic tile floors, Italian designer boutiques, cafes and a luxurious atmosphere. One of the most unique things about this elegant legacy centre is the visibly worn spot in the mosaic floor that you’ll know as soon as you see it. It’s worn because locals spin around here due to a superstition that it will bring them good luck. It’s the oldest shopping centre in Italy and has stunning decor and legendary venues that have been here since 1930.

Housing everything from luxury-brand shops to fine-dining establishments, bars and art bookstores, it’s a cultural icon. It’s also the gateway to the city centre.

Il Centro shopping centre showcases over 200 upmarket and boutique shops and brands spread across 2 storeys just a stone’s throw from the Milan city centre. Here you’ll find an enormous LEGO store, upmarket labels, casual wear brands, sportswear, womenswear and menswear like Calvin Klein, Primark, Tommy Hilfiger, Marco De Vincenzo and Alexander McQueen. This spot is also a foodie destination with a dizzying array of bistros, bars and street food vendors in the food court, all offering tantalising menus.

Il Centro is open daily and closed only over the Christmas holidays and on Easter. It’s about a 25-minute drive northwest of the city centre, or an hour's ride away by bus.

The CityLife Shopping District offers over 32,000 square metres of shops covering everything from fashion and beauty to housewares and design plus health, fitness, food and entertainment. This spot is a one-stop shop for almost everything you need. Here you’ll find brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Dixie, Guess and others, and you can hit up a full gym and fitness facility to get in a workout. Afterwards, the food court offers lots of options for takeaway eats with offerings as diverse as Poke House, Calavera Fresh Mex, Roadhouse Meatery and Juice Bar.

You’ll find everything here from home decor to cosmetics and accessories. The centre is open daily and is only a 15-minute drive northwest of the city centre.

Carosello is a popular shopping centre on the northeastern outskirts of Milan offering over 100 shops, stores, eateries and entertainment options for the entire family. This location originated as a hypermarket with just 10 stores, while today it offers over 13,000 square metres of shopping space with a full food court and shopping square as well as expo spaces for regular festivals and events. The gigantic-screen TV plays sporting events from all over including Champions League and Europa League matches, auto racing and others.

Some of the popular brands here include Zara, Hollister, Benetton, Levi’s, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, H&M, Guess, Claire’s, Pandora, Swarovski, a LEGO store, GameStop and many others.

Rinascente Milano Piazza Duomo, usually just called Rinascente, offers 10 storeys of upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of the Milan city centre. This spot originated over 150 years ago as a tiny side street shop and has grown to be among the most massive department stores in the city centre. You’ll find everything here from upscale high street fashion brands to home decor, toys, beauty products and entertainment.

The 7th floor is dedicated to the Food Hall, which offers 9 bars and tons of eateries from sit-downs to takeaway street food including Juice Bar, Be Steak, My Sushi and others. Also here you’ll find food markets to buy groceries.

Bicocca Village bills itself as an entertainment centre with tons of opportunities for shopping, dining and entertainment where you can connect with the world. Among the many stores and shops here you’ll find such brands as GameStop, Clayton, Lively Milano, Black Sun Solarium and others. Eateries and bars include Flower Burger, Bun Burgers, Capatoast Toasteria, Ichi Station and Caffe Cinquecento. Entertainment options for the entire family abound including UCI Cinemas, Hollywood Kart and Play City. You will even find a Virgin Active fitness centre onsite.

Be sure to check out the regular events, sales and happenings at the shopping centre as well. The centre also offers free WiFi throughout the centre. It’s 20 minutes north of Milan.

Centro Commerciale Globo is a vast shopping centre complex offering over 190 shops and services, dining, entertainment and recreation for kids and grown-ups of all ages. Among the most unique attractions is the Venetian Carousel, a 2-storey carousel with stunningly detailed painted animals that’s among the largest of its kind in the world. This carousel is just one part of the Globo Centro amusement area, a full indoor fun park with over 100 token-powered kiddie rides.

This is more than a shopping centre; it’s a place to spend the entire afternoon. Also on offer are a Games Room arcade and a Movie Planet multiplex theatre. The centre is also dog friendly. It’s about 40 minutes northeast of the city centre.

Milanofiori - Centro Commerciale in Assago is an innovative shopping centre offering more than 100 stores including a hypermarket, bars, restaurants and a huge gallery square. The Carrefour hypermarket alone allows you to find almost anything you could want, and the surrounding shops offer everything from high street fashion labels to accessories, casualwear, sportswear, jewellery, housewares, home decor, gadgets, electronics and much more.

The central courtyard and food court offers more than 20 restaurants and bars where you can grab a glass of wine or a cocktail as well as delicious local food. You can even choose between sit-down and takeaway food. It’s about 30 minutes south of the Milan city centre.

Centro Sarca offers nearly 100 shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues to spend your afternoon at, quell your shopping bug and satisfy your leisure needs. From the latest fashion trends to the hottest gadgets and gimmicks to gourmet speciality foods, you’ll find it all here. Just a few of the brands, restaurants and services on offer here include Toysuper, Pokè Kal, JD Sports, Findomestic, Sephora, Scarpe & Scarpe, Roadhouse Grill, Stroili, Spontini, Tezenis, Vodafone, La Bottega del Caffe, Salmoiraghi & Vigano and many others.

Food offerings range from sit-down full-service restaurants to takeaway street food to McDonald’s. After a day of shopping, you can catch a movie at the onsite Notorious Cinemas. It’s about 25 minutes north of the Milan city centre.

Galleria Borromea is an indoor shopping centre 20 minutes southeast of the city centre offering high fashion and boutique brands, restaurants, services and entertainment in an airy, casual space. The centre includes an Ipercoop hypermarket for all of your essential needs, plus high fashion and casualwear brands including Calzedonia, Guess, Foot Locker, Marville, Fiorella Rubino, Intimissimi, Piazza Italia, Primadonna Collection and many others. Housewares, electronics and gadgets can be found at MediaWorld, Thun, Casa Mia, Fazzini and similar stores, while health and wellness brands include Kiko Milano and Dessange, among others.

Food offerings cover everything from pizza to burgers, ice cream, health food and cafes. Free parking in a 3-level car park is available, as is free WiFi.