Lombardy is Italy's most populous and economically powerful region, stretching from the Alps in the north to the Po Plain in the south. It encompasses world-class cities like Milan, the Italian fashion and financial capital, alongside alpine lakes of breathtaking beauty — Como, Garda, Maggiore and Iseo — and Renaissance gems such as Mantua, Cremona and Bergamo. The region blends metropolitan sophistication with timeless natural landscapes and a rich artistic heritage.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Como silk scarf
Hand-finished silk scarves and ties produced in Como, Europe's historic silk capital that supplies houses such as Hermès and Versace. A lightweight, authentically Lombard luxury keepsake.
Price: €40-150
Where: Mantero Seta and Pizzo & Pizzo in Como city; Museo della Seta shop
Panettone artigianale
Milan's tall, domed Christmas brioche studded with candied fruit and raisins. Artisan versions keep for weeks and travel well as a gift.
Price: €25-50
Where: Pasticceria Marchesi (Via Santa Maria alla Porta, Milan) / Princi / Peck on Via Spadari
Grana Padano DOP
Lombardy's great aged hard cheese, milder and younger than Parmigiano, vacuum-sealed for travel. A staple of the Po Valley dairy tradition.
Price: €15-25 per kg
Where: Mercato Wagner (Milan) / Peck delicatessen / Eataly Smeraldo
Franciacorta DOCG sparkling wine
Italy's finest metodo classico sparkling wine, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero in the hills south of Lake Iseo. An elegant alternative to Champagne.
Price: €15-40 per bottle
Where: Estate cellars in Erbusco such as Berlucchi and Ca' del Bosco / Eataly Milan
Mostarda di Cremona
Cremona's distinctive candied mustard fruits in syrup — a sweet-and-spicy condiment served with boiled meats and aged cheeses.
Price: €8-15
Where: Specialty food shops in Cremona / Peck (Milan)
Bresaola della Valtellina IGP
Air-cured lean beef from the alpine valley around Sondrio, sliced paper-thin. A protected regional specialty that vacuum-packs well.
Price: €25-40 per kg
Where: Mercato Wagner (Milan) / delicatessens in the Valtellina valley
Murano-style Venetian glass
Hand-blown decorative glassware and jewelry in the Venetian tradition, widely sold across Lombardy's lake towns as colorful, giftable keepsakes.
Price: €10-80
Where: Lakeside boutiques in Bellagio, Sirmione and Como
Milanese design object
Small iconic Italian design pieces — an Alessi corkscrew, a Kartell tray or an Artemide lamp — from the world's design capital make stylish, packable gifts.
Price: €20-120
Where: Showrooms on Via Durini / 10 Corso Como concept store / Rinascente design floor
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercatone dell'Antiquariato dei Navigli
Milan's premier antique market, held on the last Sunday of each month along the Naviglio Grande. Over 400 dealers sell antiques, vintage items, prints, jewelry and collectibles along the 2km canalside strip.
Where: Alzaia Naviglio Grande, Milan
Mercato dell'Antiquariato di Brera
A smaller but quality antique and artisan market on Via Fiori Chiari in the Brera district, held every third Saturday of the month.
Where: Via Fiori Chiari, Brera, Milan
Fiera di Senigallia
Milan's beloved flea market, operating every Saturday along the Naviglio Grande. A mix of second-hand goods, vintage clothing and bric-a-brac.
Where: Ripa di Porta Ticinese, Milan
Mercato Wagner
Milan's finest covered food market with outstanding fresh produce, fish, cheese and meat counters. The best place to shop like a Milanese.
Where: Piazza Wagner, 20145 Milan
Mercato Metropolitano
A large permanent artisan food market in a converted industrial space near the Porta Genova area, with street food stalls, specialty producers and sit-down eateries.
Where: Via Ponte Seveso, 23, 20121 Milan