Outdoor Food & Antique Markets in Lombardy

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Apart from being the most unique source of souvenirs and consolation gifts for the friends you left behind, outdoor markets are some of the most interesting places in Italy. Almost all of them offer a collection of items that ranges from near-worthless knickknacks to priceless works of art, from the ancient to the post-post modern. Some markets are specialized but all welcome visitors, who are encouraged to have fun bargaining in English, Italian, sign language or any combination of the above. A word to the wise: keep your money and valuables stashed under at least one layer of clothes. Who wants to spend the whole time worrying why all those people are jostling you?

Here is a partial calendar of outdoor markets held in Lombardy. Keep in mind that special outdoor markets are almost always held on the occasion of town fairs and festivals.

• Castiglione Olona:
  Piazza Garibaldi (first Sunday of the month). This is your chance to actually touch (maybe even buy, if you can afford it) a 500-year-old book. Glass, silver candelabra and uniquely-shaped bells are also among the wares for sale.

• Milan:
  Ripa Ticinese (last Sunday of the month, except July and August). Hundreds of colorful stalls are set up along the banks of the Naviglio, Milan's placid canal. When you're done shopping, wander the side streets in search of a simple wine bar; you might pass a bocce game on the way.

• Cremona:
  Piazza Cavour and Piazza delle Erbe (third Sunday of the month, except January and August). One unexpected offering here is antique Danish porcelains. And who knows, you might find the odd violin made by a local guy, Antonio Stradivari.

• Pavia:
  Piazza della Vittoria (first Sunday of the month, except January and August). A small group of carefully-selected vendors specialize in furniture and rare books.
  Castello di Sartirana (September 17-October 1). Held inside an authentic, and beautifully restored, castle with moats and crenelated guard towers, this fair presents high-quality antiques.

• Monza:
  Autodromo (third Sunday of April and September). Here's your chance to browse and see the Formula One racetrack at the same time.

• Bergamo Alta:
  Piazza Cittadella (third Sunday of the month, except August).

• Brescia:
  Piazza Vittoria (second Saturday and Sunday of every month, except July and August).

• Sabbioneta:
  Via Gonzaga and Via Albertoni (first Sunday of the month, except January and August).

• Mantova:
  Piazza Castello (third Sunday of the month, except July and August).

• Varese:
  In the center of town (third Sunday of the month, except July and August).

• Como:
  Piazza San Fedele (first Saturday of the month).

Food Markets

• Mondays
  Bergamo, piazzale Malpensata
  Manerba del Garda, piave Vecchia
  Megreglio
  Gussola
  Costa Masnaga
  Casalpusterlengo
  Ricarolo Mantovano
  Gorgonzola
  Belgioioso
  Chiesa in Valmalenco
  Varese, piazza Maspero
• Tuesdays
  Martinengo
  Lenno
  Pianengo
  Pescate
  Codogno
  San Benedetto Po
  Milano, viale Papiniano and via B. Marcello
  Voghera
  Ponte in Valtellina
  Laveno
• Wednesdays
  Cologno al Serio
  Palazzo sull'Oglio
  Cernobbio
  Cremona
  Castelnuovo Bocca d'Adda
  Sabbioneta. At this wonderful little market you can find clothes, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as flowers and plants
  Robecco sul Naviglio
  Pavia
  Saronno
  Sondrio
• Thursdays
  Brignano Gera d'Adda
  Nuvolento, piazza Roma
  Tremezzo
  Moscazzano. Cheeses are the specialty
  Lecco
  Paderno d'Adda
  Castiglione d'Adda
  Mantova
  Trezzano sul Naviglio
  Frascarolo
  Somma Lombardo
  Tirano
• Fridays
  Fiorano al Serio
  Gardone Valtrompia, piazza Vittorio Veneto
  Brunate
  Castelvedere
  Osnago
  Lodi Vecchio
  Roncoferraro, Giovernorolo
  Cesano Maderno
  Mortara
  Sondalo
  Gavirate
• Saturdays
  Treviglio
  Polpenazze sul Garda, piazza Roma
  Salò, piazza Vittorio Veneto
  Bulgarograsso
  San Bassano. All sorts of plants, fruits and vegetables
  Bulciago
  Corno Giovine, piazza Caduti
  Asola
  Cernusco sul Naviglio
  San Giorgio di Lomellina
  Chiavenna
  Gallarate
• Sundays
  Padenghe sul Garda, piazza Chiesa
  Torre de' Picenardi
  Sant'Angelo Lodigiano
  Bagnolo San Vito
  Melegnano

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