This post may contain affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you. Read my privacy policy to learn more.
Published: 3/18/2024
My Top Picks for Souvenir Shopping in Milan
If you’re looking for the best Milan souvenirs to bring home from your visit to northern Italy, I’ve rounded up 17 fabulous gifts to buy in Milan.
As Italy’s hotbed for fashion, culture, and business, Milan has a reputation for being expensive. However, as you’ll see from this list I’ve assembled with the help of some fellow travel bloggers, buying gifts in Milan doesn’t have to break the bank.
Milan souvenirs range from unique food items like panettone and regional cheese, to Lombardy white wine, art works, and gifts inspired by Milan landmarks. With my Milan gift ideas, you can come home with a taste of Milan or items that will become family heirlooms while staying on budget.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself and want the perfect souvenir from your Milan trip or you’re looking for Milan gifts for your family and friends back home, read on. This post is jam-packed with fun, affordable Milan shopping ideas to help you remember your visit.
1) Franciacorta wine
Franciacorta is a sparkling wine that comes from a very small region of northern Italy just east of Milan. If you like prosecco, you’ll love Franciacorta wine. Similar to champagne, Franciacorta has a fruity taste and tight bubbles. Franciacorta can range from dry to sweet.
If you’re not sure which you’ll like, I recommend stopping in a wine bar anywhere in northern Italy. The proprietor can help you sample different wines and make recommendations based on your taste. Wine bars also function as liquor stores so plan to buy your souvenir Franciacorta there.
Definitely throw these wine bags into your suitcase if you plan to come home with wine. They’ll protect your precious wine so it makes it home in one piece.
2) Panettone
You can’t go anywhere in Italy at Christmastime without finding panettone.
This rich yeasted cake flavored with citrus and often made with dried fruit or chocolate chips originated in Milan. It’s been a Christmastime treat in the city since the 16th century.
Panettone is a very easy Milan souvenir to procure because you’ll find it everywhere, ranging from high-end delicatessens like Peck, bakeries like Pasticceria Pavé and Pasticceria Marchesi, and any grocery store including chains such as Carrefour. We even found gluten-free panettone in a neighborhood bakery near our Airbnb!
While I was ridiculous and brought home a full-sized panettone from Milan (which cost €36 I might add!), you can find panettones in all sizes to fit in whichever suitcase you have on hand. I found miniature panettones in a grocery store in Lugano for less than €2. Not only were they stinking cute, they were also the perfect size for carry-on luggage!
3) Colomba
One of the best souvenirs you can buy in Milan during the months leading up to Easter is a Colomba (pronounced coh-lohm-bah in Italian). This sweet dessert bread originally from Lombardy is made from a brioche dough. It’s shaped like a dove and covered with a crisp sugar and almond topping.
A Colomba is similar to its sister holiday treat, the panettone in that it usually has candied citrons and/or raisins. It can be purchased in a wide variety of flavors such as chocolate, pistachio, without candied citron, cream-filled and even gluten-free.
This Italian Easter food is enjoyed throughout the spring but particularly, on Easter as a dessert, or for breakfast in many Italian households.
The absolute best Colomba are artisan made from bakeries or specialty food shops in Milan. My favorite bakeries are Iginio Massari and Cova Pasticceria, both centrally located downtown. Artisan varieties are quite expensive, ranging from €25.00-45.00.
For a more budget friendly version of a Colomba, opt for commercially produced varieties readily available at any grocery store, costing anywhere from €7.00-15.00.
Contributed by Louisa of Eating Around Italy
4) Regional cheese
Cheese makes another excellent edible Milan gift. If you only come back with one cheese from Milan, it should be Grana Padano. This hard cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano is the most celebrated cheese in the Lombardy region.
Since we found a Christmas market in Como City on Lake Como, I bought my cheese from one of the many cheese stands there. I ended up with two regional cheeses, both produced within 50 miles of Milan.
The first cheese was Bitto, a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture and a slightly gamey taste that probably came from the small amount of goat’s milk included in the cheese. I also purchased Bella Lodi, a hard cheese known as a Black parmesan because of its black rind.
Whatever cheese you select, make sure it’s vacuum packed, both for ease of transport and to avoid any hassle getting through customs.
5) Risotto Rice
Since Milan’s best-known export alongside the Milan Duomo is risotto, a packet of risotto rice is a wonderful souvenir to buy in Milan. Many tourists come to Milan looking for pasta. While you can have delicious pasta in restaurants around town, risotto is really what you should order in a Milanese restaurant.
All traditional restaurants will have risotto alla milanese on their menu, with saffron lending the rice a bright golden color. However, you can also usually order risotto with seasonal vegetables, or salsiccia (sausage). The risotto is always served with butter mixed through and a generous sprinkling of cheese.
Rice is grown in the humid countryside of the Po Valley around Milan. You can easily grab a packet of risotto rice at most Milanese supermarkets and food stores. The best varieties are Vialone Nano, Carnaroli, or Arborio. Grab a packet or two to recreate this Milanese delicacy when you’re back home!
Contributed by Margherita of The Crowded Planet
6) Aperitivo items
Aperitivo – a sort of Milanese happy hour tradition – is a way of life in northern Italy. Stock up on aperitivo snacks like regional cheese, prosciutto, olives, crackers, and crisps at a Milan grocery store like Peck.
Since popular aperitivo liquors like Campari and Aperol are common in American liquor stores, it’ll be easy for you to recreate the aperitivo experience with your friends and family once you’re back stateside. No one’s going to say no to an Aperol spritz with a side of authentic Italian snacks!
7) Perugina Rosanna Hard Candy
During a recent tour in Poland, an encounter with an Italian woman led me to taste a unique candy she shared. This moment inspired me to seek out the candy in Milan. I discovered the flavor I was looking for was the Rossana candy made by Perugina.
Created in Perugia in 1926, Rossana candies boast a signature red wrapper and offer a unique blend of almonds and hazelnuts in a creamy center surrounded by a hard shell. This confection pays tribute to the character, Roxanne, from the French drama Cyrano de Bergerac.
The moderate sweetness and nutty composition of Rossana offers an alternative to other candies that typically have a heavy sugar ratio. I found these candies affordably priced, around €2-3. They’re available in various Milan gourmet stores and shops, as well as grocery stores.
If you’re looking for a flavorful gift from Milan, Rossana candies are it. In recent years, they have created new variations as well including chocolate and pistachio.
Contributed by Diana of Travels in Poland
8) Last Supper inspired items
If you lucky enough to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper while in Milan, don’t skip the gift shop at the end of the tour.
Since you need to store your bag while you view the masterpiece, you need to plan ahead for this souvenir shopping. You’ll hit the gift shop before you’re reunited with your bag, so have some sort of payment on you. I just slipped a credit card in my pocket and also had mobile pay set up. (One of my favorite things about Milan is that they accept mobile pay everywhere.)
As you might expect, the gift shop is absolutely brimming with items printed with The Last Supper. There’s also a fair amount of Leonardo Da Vinci inspired items and a nice book selection.
Personally, I came home with a small Last Supper magnet as well as a small puzzle for my parents.
9) Virgin Mary souvenir
Did you know that the Virgin Mary is always the highest point in Milan?
The official name of Milan’s Duomo is Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary. Since the cathedral celebrates the childhood of Mary, the cathedral is topped by a large golden Mary statue called the Madonnina.
Unlike in Rome where no building can be taller than St. Peter’s Cathedral, modern-minded Milan has allowed with skyscrapers to flourish on its skyline. However, there’s one caveat: the tallest building in Milan must be topped with a replica of the Madonnina.
If you’re inclined towards a sacred souvenir, your own replica of the Madonnina makes an excellent (if not spendy) Milan souvenir. Otherwise, a print of the statue or even a rosary from the Duomo gift shop is a perfect way to celebrate Milan’s special connection with Mary.
10) Santomiele Duomo print chocolate
A visual yet tasty souvenir to consider picking up during your next trip to Milan is a block or bar of chocolate with the striking Duomo di Milano on the front.
This souvenir is by the Italian company Santomiele and is found on the trendy La Rinascente produce floor opposite the cathedral. This area of the contemporary shopping mall has a bakery counter, gourmet store cupboard food like jars of condiments, and a rooftop restaurant that overlooks the Piazza del Duomo. It also has a free restroom, a handy tip for first-timers who will spend a lot of time in this part of the city.
La Rinascente is next door to the popular Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a famous photography spot with designer shops, tourist attractions like the Campari bar, and the unique Marchesi 1824, a luxurious yet historic cafe.
The souvenir chocolate bar not only looks the part, but is also pretty compact for packing to take home. Just remember to keep it cool so it doesn’t melt!
Contributed by Gemma of Two Scots Abroad Travel Guides
11) La Scala program
Personally, my favorite souvenir I brought home from Milan was my program from the Tchaikovsky/Cranko ballet Onegin.
While the program itself cost me nothing, I did have to purchase not so cheap (although not terribly expensive) tickets to a performance at the Teatro alla Scala. Getting in a seat at Milan’s famous opera house takes a little forward thinking. If you want this souvenir, plan to purchase your tickets about 4-5 months in advance right when tickets go on sale.
Once you’re home, pop your La Scala program in a frame and you’ll a lovely personal memento from your Milan trip. Trust me, you’ll smile every time you look at it. Not only was the ballet a fun excuse to get dressed up in Milan, it was perhaps the most memorable activity we did in the city.
12) Starbucks Reserve Roastery items
If you’re a Starbucks fan – and let’s be honest, most of us are – you’ll want to swing by Milan’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery. One of just six Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in the world, (you’ll find the other five in Chicago, New York, Seattle, Shanghai, and Tokyo) the Milan roastery is a great place to pick up to grab a gift for any fellow Starbucks enthusiasts.
This massive store has an exclusive line of merchandise, much of it branded with images of the roastery’s beautiful exterior. (The building was formerly a post office built at the turn of the 20th century.) You’ll find mugs, water bottles, clothing, chocolate bars, and more. You can also purchase coffee beans roasted on site.
One thing you won’t find at the Roastery? The popular “You are here” Starbucks mugs. I have a friend who collects these and I had to visit a regular Starbucks in Milan to find these. This was no struggle since there are regular Starbucks all over central Milan. However, when in Milan, it’s best to get your daily joe from a local espresso bar.
13) Scarf
One of my favorite Italian souvenirs of all time is a cashmere scarf I purchased in a Florence market. Nearly two decades later, I still wear it nearly every day in winter.
While Milan doesn’t have the deep connection to the wool industry that Florence does, I still think a scarf makes an excellent Milan souvenir. I love that scarves are beautiful, functional, and take up very little suitcase real estate.
We found a great stall at the Como City Christmas market selling all sorts of woolen goods, including scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens at a very affordable price. However, if you have the budget for it, consider splurging one scarf at one of Milan’s fashion houses like Armani, Gucci, or Prada.
14) Sketchbook and art supplies
As the fashion and design capital of Italy, a sketchbook or art supplies from Milan makes a thoughtful gift for any art lover on your gift list. Pop into a Milan art supply store like Pellegrini Brera on Via Brera near the Palazzo Brera to stock up.
15) Prints from Pinacoteca di Brera
Not artistically inclined? You can let the masters do the hard work for your Milan souvenir!
While Milan might not be as celebrated for its art collections as other Italian cities like Rome or Florence, it is home to several excellent European art collections including the Pinacoteca di Brera. In the Pinacoteca’s shop, you can pick up a print of one of the famous pieces in the art gallery’s collection such as Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus or Hayez’s The Kiss.
They’ll look great on your own walls when you get home!
16) Leather goods
On my last tour to Milan, I was absolutely enchanted by the stunning leather goods in every corner shop. While looking through many keepsakes during my time in Milan, I noticed a beautifully made leather wallet in a cute little shop in the lively Brera district.
This wallet stood out because the seller talked about how it was made. It also looked and felt good. Made from leather from one of Italy’s best tanneries, the traditional techniques used to make the leather had been passed down from one family to the next.
This one-of-a-kind keepsake perfectly shows Milan’s high-class and handcrafted style. The wallet cost me about €120, which shows how well-made it was. The unparalleled craftsmanship and the experience of acquiring it in Milan justified the price for me.
If you are heading to Milan or the Italian Lake District for a trip, the best thing you should buy is an Italian leather good. It’s not just a souvenir; but a slice of Italian culture and heritage. Whether you choose a wallet, purse or belt, it will be a timeless recollection of your Italian travel.
Contributed by Lavina of Continent Hop
17) Espresso cups
What better souvenir to buy than some beautiful new or vintage espresso cups from Milan? Since it’s Italy, the coffee culture is big. We live only an hour away by train in Lugano Switzerland, and wanted to buy some new local Italian items for home.
Throughout the shops and boutiques of Milan, there are many stores that sell all the typical souvenirs, but we also headed into local kitchen and home stores for espresso cups.
There are so many designs to choose from, from branded high quality porcelain to cute Italian themed ones. Many of the tourist stores also sold espresso cups as a set of two, with matching designs for couples who love coffee.
In the end we bought pretty, but simple, red Italian cups with a few matching white ones, since our kitchen is in these colors. They are super easy to hold with a big handle, which was a big requirement for us. Many of them just don’t feel comfortable to hold with a little handle!
TIP: We suggest that you head to Signor Lievito for a cinnamon bun and coffee while shopping for souvenirs in Milan. This bakery is in our opinion one of the best places for this.
Contributed by Zoe from Together In Switzerland
Conclusion: The Best Gifts To Buy in Milan
You wouldn’t want to forget your time in Milan, Italy. Happily, there are so many great gifts to buy in Milan, suited for all tastes and budgets. It won’t be a problem to find the perfect souvenir to remember your Milanese travels by. As a bonus, almost all of these items (with the exception of the panettone and colomba) will easily fit in a suitcase.
Whether you choose an edible souvenir, a household items like an art print or espresso cups, or something fun that reflects Milan’s personality like a sketchbook or aperitivo snacks, I hope this Milan souvenir guide inspires your shopping for both yourself and your loved ones. Nothing beats coming home with something unique that truly celebrates the essence of Milan.
 |
 |
