Enter designer heaven in the Quadrilatero around Montenapoleone, packed with flagship stores from Armani Manzoni 31 to Versace. Amble along Milan's longest shopping street, Corso Buenos Aires, buy shoes on Via Torino or visit department store, La Rinascente near the Duomo.
Foodies will love Peck, leather lovers should head to Chinatown's Via Paolo Sarpi and for quirky one-offs, browse around the Brera district.
Milan does markets and designer fashion. Bargain for crafts, second-hand clothes and DVDs at Saturday's Fiera di Senigallia by the Alzaia Naviglio Grande canal. Browse the popular Viale Papiniano Market on Saturdays, and its Tuesday flea market. Discover an antique gem at the Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of each month. On the third Saturday, visit Brera for trinkets and toys.
For the best designer deals, buy during the January and July sales, or visit the out-of-city outlet stores. Some shops close for lunch, following Italy's standard shopping hours of Monday-Saturday 9am-12.30pm and 3.30pm-7.30pm. International and department stores are usually open orario continuato (all day).