Markets on Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta

Market in Cannobio Shopping at the street markets around Lake Maggiore has a very special charm. The Italian markets in particular offer everything you need: clothing, shoes, leather goods, meat and cold cuts, fish, cheese, vegetables and fruit.

The largest and best-known market is the Wednesday market in Luino on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore. The markets in Cannobio on the western shore and in Ponte Tresa on Lake Lugano are particularly pretty and somewhat easier to get around, though because of their proximity to the Swiss border they are also a little more expensive. For bargains, head to the big Saturday market in Intra.

But always remember that on market days the towns are full of people and parking spaces are extremely scarce. The times given are always approximate and cannot be guaranteed. We are always glad to receive information and additions from visitors to our online travel guide.

Markets on Lake Maggiore:

- Locarno: Thursday 8am-12pm (in winter only every two weeks)
- Ascona: Tuesday 10am-5pm (May to October)
- Cannobio: Sunday 8am-1pm
There is also a small food market in Cannobio every Thursday morning.
- Cannero Riviera: Friday 8am-12pm
- Intra/Verbania: Saturday 9am-4pm
- Pallanza/Verbania: Friday 8am-12pm
- Baveno: Monday 8am-1pm
- Stresa: Friday 8am-1pm
- Arona: Tuesday 8am-12.30pm
- Laveno: Tuesday 9am-12pm
- Luino: Wednesday 9am-4pm

Markets on Lake Orta:

- Omegna: Thursday morning
- Orta San Giulio: Wednesday morning

Not on the lake, but always worth a day trip, are Ponte Tresa (Saturday, 8.30am-4pm) on Lake Lugano, Varese (Monday, 8am-5pm) in Lombardy and Domodossola (Saturday, 8am-3pm) in Piedmont, near the Italian-Swiss border. There are also numerous smaller markets.

Art and antiques markets are often held irregularly in various places. The best-known regular markets are in:

- Arona: 3rd Sunday of the month
- Como: every Saturday 8.30am-6pm
- Domodossola: every Saturday 8am-3pm
- Lugano: every Saturday 8am-5pm
- Sesto Calende: 3rd Saturday of the month
- Varese: 1st Sunday of the month