Most towns and some villages have a weekly market selling clothes, fruit and vegetables, cheese, household goods, shoes and plants.

​

When is market day in the Lago Maggiore region?

​

These are the market days in some of the most popular tourist towns:

​

Arona - Tuesday

Baveno - Monday

Cannero - Friday

Cannobio - Sunday

Domodossola - Friday

Locarno - Thursday

Luino - Wednesday

Omegna - Thursday

Orta - Wednesday

Stresa - Friday

Verbania - Saturday

 

Of these, the markets in Orta, Cannobio, Domodossola and Arona are particularly scenic.

 

It is not always easy to find locally made articles or locally grown produce or even goods made in Italy.

​

However, some of the bigger markets often have tiny fringe stalls where local producers can sell their wares.

Christmas markets too are becoming increasingly popular. The most famous, and picturesque, are in Domodossola, Macugnaga and Santa Maria Maggiore but you'll also find plenty of smaller Christmas markets during the first two weeks of December. 

​

If you’re looking for Italian fashion, other than Milan, there are two great possibilities: Arona with its chic shopping street: Corso Cavour and Vicolungo, 30 minutes south of Lago Maggiore. Here you will find Italy’s second largest outlet village.

​

Herno, one of Italy’s top brands, has an excellent outlet in Lesa on Lago Maggiore, the village where the company is still based.

In addition to Herno, there are plenty of other factory outlets scattered through the area.

​

As for crafts, the best bet is the little-known Strona Valley. Whilst neighbouring districts turned to metalworking, laying the foundations for what was to become a major force in the valve, tap and kitchenware industry, a string of tiny mountain villages in Val Strona have remained faithful to their old traditions and still produce articles in wood in much the same way as they have done for generations.