Christmas Shopping in Milan: A Guide

Christmas in MilanHaving fallen in love with Milan during a summer city break, Lauren Holden ponders the festive delights of Italy’s second-largest city.

Having visited Milan in the sweltering height of summer a couple of years ago, I made a promise to myself there and then that I’d hop on a plane again to sample the beautiful city’s festive delights ahead of December 25th. I haven’t quite kept that promise (work commitments sadly got in the way), but it’s very much on the top of my ‘to do’ list for Christmas 2013.

If you’re taken by the festive sights, sounds and smells of one of Europe’s prettiest tourist spots, however, there’s still time to get something organised. And while the Christmas markets of Germany, France and Prague are undoubtedly on your agenda, Milan’s Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular festive events.

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Christmas fair

Coinciding with Milan’s celebrations for the city’s patron saint, Sant’ Ambrogio, the festival continues in his honour and dates back to 1510. Getting its name from the exclamations the kids of Italy cry out when they opened their presents (meaning how beautiful), the festival sees market traders today using the same phrase to attract customers to their stalls.

Having recently relocated to the Castello Sforzesco, due to expansion, the fair was originally held around the Basilica of Sant’ Ambrogio. Visit Milan and its fair this year and you can look forward to more than 400 stalls, offering festive delights like seasonal flowers, delicious hearty food and antiques.

As I write this my mouth is watering at the very thought of deliciously fruity mulled wine and roasted chestnuts – yum! Just make sure you leave enough room in your suitcase to bring some tasty treats home…

Of course, as well as the markets there are religious celebrations in honour of the saint. Pop along to the Basilica di Sant’ Ambrogio to join in. Founded by Bishop Ambrogio, the church’s original name was Basilica Martyrum, thanks to its location, so called due to the burial spot of Roman era martyrs. Typical of Lombard architecture of the period, the church has two bell towers dating back to the 10th and 13th centuries – it really is worth a look if you’re visiting Milan in the run up to Christmas.

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Christmas presentsChristmas shopping and dining: Milan style

Elsewhere in Milan, La Rinascente – the city’s best-known department store – is a fantastic spot for picking up last-minute Christmas gifts. Find everything from unique homewares to books, gadgets and DVDs – the perfect place to pick up your favourite festive film.

And no festive shopping trip would be complete without a hearty meal. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail with a delicious meal at one of Milan’s many great eateries. If you like a laid-back ambience, try Exploit near the Colonne di San Lorenzo and round up a busy day on your feet with a relaxing drink and meal.

Happy to travel a little way out of the city? The Christmas market at Lazzate (a small village outside of Milan) is well worth a look. A favourite of locals and visitors, the market has a wonderfully festive atmosphere and there’s a wide range of handmade products available to buy. It might just be time to book that plane ticket to Milan, after all!

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