5 Vintage Shops & Flea Markets in Milan

You’ve booked the flights, confirmed the hotel, and mapped out the company visits. But here’s something most students don’t plan for: Milan’s vintage shops and flea markets are among the most culturally rich experiences the city offers — and they’re hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re squeezing in a Saturday morning between seminars or turning a free afternoon into a deep dive into Italian fashion history, these five stops will tell you more about vintage shops in Milan than any guidebook can.

Milan is the world’s fashion capital — but its second-hand and vintage scene is where the city’s real character lives. From canal-side flea markets that have been running since the 1800s to indoor warehouses buzzing with 300 curated vendors, Milan’s vintage world is vast, vibrant, and waiting to be explored.

For GLO students and young professionals visiting the city on faculty-led programs, these stops aren’t just shopping detours. They’re windows into how Italian design culture actually works — where craftsmanship meets commerce, and where decades of fashion history are still very much alive.

1. Cavalli e Nastri — The Icon That Defined Milanese Vintage

📍 Via Gian Giacomo Mora 3 & 12 + Via Brera 2 | Open Tue–Sat

Ask any local stylist, fashion editor, or visiting designer where to go for vintage in Milan, and the answer comes without hesitation: Cavalli e Nastri. The New York Times called it a must-visit. Vogue Italia called it one of the best vintage shops in the city. Dolce & Gabbana and the Missonis have been spotted here.

Founded by Claudia Jesi, a genuine pioneer of vintage culture in Italy, Cavalli e Nastri has evolved far beyond a retail shop. With three boutiques in Milan’s most storied neighborhoods — two along Via Gian Giacomo Mora in the Ticinese district, and one in the artistic heart of Brera — it functions more as a cultural institution: part archive, part salon, part time machine.

The name translates literally to “horses and ribbons,” evoking exactly the kind of timeless, slightly eccentric elegance you’ll find on its racks. Pieces span from 1920s petticoats and mid-century haute couture to ’80s Versace and ’90s Armani. The Brera location is described by the brand itself as “the cradle of vintage culture in Milan,” with an atmosphere so refined that browsing feels like visiting a private collection.

What you’ll find

• Designer archive pieces: Chanel, Hermès, Valentino, Fendi, Krizia, Roberta di Camerino
• Rare Italian labels no longer in production — Pirovano, Ferrè, Coveri
• Vintage costume jewellery with a focus on Italian 1970s–90s pieces
• A tailoring workshop and archive available for stylists, photographers, and designers

Expect prices to match the provenance — a Karl Lagerfeld dress from 1992 might run €500, while a stunning silk scarf could be found for considerably less. The experience is worth it regardless of whether you buy.

Pro tip: Cavalli e Nastri also purchases vintage pieces, so if you’ve brought something special from home, this is where a conversation about Italian fashion history might also become a transaction.

2. East Market Milan — The Indie Bazaar in a Former Aircraft Factory

📍 Via Mecenate 88/A | One Sunday per month (usually second-to-last) | 10am–9pm | €5 entry

There’s a moment you walk through the doors of East Market and realize it’s unlike any market you’ve seen in Italy. The setting is an enormous former aeronautical factory — 3,000 square meters of industrial space repurposed into one of the most electric vintage markets in Europe. The vibe is closer to East London’s Brick Lane or Hackney Flea Market than anything traditionally Milanese, which is precisely the point.

East Market launched in 2014 and moved to its current location in 2018. What began as a swap meet between two vintage-obsessed friends has grown into a monthly cultural event with over 300 carefully vetted vendors from across Italy and beyond. The market draws collectors, designers, streetwear hunters, record diggers, and curious first-timers alike.

Think: racks of 80s sportswear beside stacks of rare vinyl. A seller specializing in military surplus next to a designer offloading Y2K-era runway pieces. Vintage posters, video game consoles, handmade jewellery, retro lamps, mid-century furniture — East Market is organized chaos done beautifully.

What you’ll find

• Vintage clothing spanning every decade from the 1940s onward
• Rare vinyl, CDs, and vintage electronics
• Mid-century and industrial design furniture
• Streetwear, sneakers, and contemporary resale pieces
• Local artists, designers, and DIY creators selling original work

The food market area — called the East Market Diner — is a serious destination on its own, with street food, music, and a DJ set that keeps the energy high all day. Children under 12 enter free. Dogs are welcome.

Pro tip: Buy tickets online in advance to skip the entrance queue. Arrive before noon for the best selection, the rarest pieces go fast.

3. Fiera di Sinigaglia — Milan’s Oldest Flea Market, Every Single Saturday

📍 Alzaia Naviglio Grande (corner of Via Valenza) | Every Saturday | 8am–5/6pm | Free entry

Before there were curated boutiques and themed markets, there was the Fiera di Sinigaglia. Dating back to the 1800s, this is Milan’s oldest flea market — and the only one in the city that operates every single week, rain or shine, year-round. It has become a ritual for Milanese residents and a pilgrimage for vintage hunters from around the world.

Originally held near the bastions between Porta Ticinese and Porta Genova, the market now unfolds along the banks of Alzaia Naviglio Grande, with the canals creating one of the most atmospheric backdrops of any market in Europe. Church bells, water lapping against stone, vendors calling out in Italian — this is Milan before the fashion shows and the luxury boutiques, a version of the city that’s been here for over two centuries.

The market draws an extraordinarily diverse crowd. Punk subculture has deep roots here, alongside goth, metal, and hippy communities that helped make it an alternative institution across decades. Today it’s still the go-to for anyone who wants to browse without a script: military surplus, vintage clothing, vinyl records, comics, handmade jewellery, antique bicycles, plants, electronics, and the occasional extraordinary designer find buried in a crate.

What you’ll find

• Vintage clothing from every era and subculture
• Vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes
• Comics, books, and vintage prints
• Handmade jewellery and semi-precious stones
• Military tops, bags, shoes, and accessories
• Electronics, ceramics, and curiosities

Pro tip: Arrive early (before 9am) for the best finds. Prices are negotiable at most stalls, but be patient and respectful — this is a neighborhood institution, not a tourist trap. Keep an eye on your belongings in the more crowded sections.

4. Mercatone dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande — The Grand Canal Market

📍 Alzaia Naviglio Grande, from Viale Gorizia to Via Valenza | Last Sunday of every month | 9am–6pm | Free entry

Once a month, Milan’s Naviglio Grande canal transforms into what can only be described as a two-kilometre open-air museum. The Mercatone dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande has been running since 1880, promoted by the Naviglio Grande Association, and today draws around 380 specialized vendors who line both banks of the oldest canal in the city.

This is not a flea market in the ordinary sense. Every vendor is vetted. Every item is selected for quality. You won’t find piles of polyester or broken electronics here — you’ll find gilt mirrors, Art Deco furnishings, bronze sculptures, rare porcelain, vintage watches, leather-bound books, silver jewellery, and the kind of prints that look like they belong in a Milanese palazzo. For the occasion, local restaurants, art studios, and galleries along the Navigli open their doors, turning the entire area into a living cultural event.

Walking the full length of the market takes a leisurely two to three hours, and the experience changes dramatically depending on where you are along the canal. Early stalls near Viale Gorizia tend toward fine antiques and furniture; as you move toward the Darsena, the selection becomes more eclectic, with more affordable decorative objects and vintage collectibles.

What you’ll find

• High-quality antiques: furniture, mirrors, lamps, bronzes, clocks
• Vintage fashion and accessories from the early 20th century
• Silver, jewellery, and watches
• Rare books, prints, comics, and vintage posters
• Porcelain, glassware, and ceramics
• Paintings, sculptures, and art objects

Pro tip: Arrive by 9am sharp for the best furniture and art pieces. Unlike some markets, fixed prices are more common here — vendors take their wares seriously. Pair the market with a late-morning aperitivo at one of the canalside bars for a perfect Milanese Sunday.

5. Madame Pauline Vintage — A Parisian Living Room on Foro Buonaparte

📍 Foro Buonaparte 74 | Tue–Sat, 10am–2pm & 3pm–7pm

Not every great vintage experience in Milan happens at a market. Madame Pauline Vintage is proof that a single room can contain decades of extraordinary fashion history. Located on the elegant Foro Buonaparte — a wide, tree-lined boulevard that genuinely resembles a Parisian avenue — this boutique is designed to feel exactly like a 1960s Parisian living room, with boiserie panelling, warm colors, and a dreamy, unhurried atmosphere.

The shop specializes in pieces from the early 1900s through to the 1970s, with occasional forays into contemporary high fashion. What you’ll find here isn’t a rack of assorted finds — it’s a tightly curated collection of impeccable quality: Valentino evening gowns, Hermès bags, Prada shoes, Chanel jackets, and unsigned pieces so beautifully made that they need no label to justify their price.

Co-founder Cecilia — who also runs the Archetipo boutique in the Ticinese area — is described by every regular customer as one of the great vintage hunters in Italy. Her selection process is exacting, and every item in the shop has passed a rigorous standard for quality and storytelling. Entering Madame Pauline isn’t just shopping — it’s a cinematic experience.

What you’ll find

• Clothing from the early 1900s to the 1970s — dresses, suits, gowns
• Designer accessories: Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Valentino, Dior
• Jewellery, scarves, handbags, and shoes from fashion’s most storied eras
• Unsigned couture-quality pieces valued for materials and craftsmanship

Pro tip: Call ahead or arrive early in the week, the best pieces sell quickly and stock changes regularly. This is also one of the few vintage boutiques in Milan where the staff genuinely want to tell you the story behind each piece they carry.

Why Milan’s Vintage Scene Matters for Global Learners

Sustainable fashion is now a business discipline, not just a cultural preference. According to ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report, the global secondhand apparel market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2028. Milan — the city that houses the headquarters of Prada, Armani, and Moschino — is also quietly one of the best cities in the world for pre-owned luxury. That’s not a coincidence.

Understanding how fashion moves through cycles of production, consumption, and recirculation is increasingly relevant for students in business, marketing, design, and sustainability. A walk through Cavalli e Nastri’s archive isn’t just a shopping trip — it’s a lesson in brand longevity, consumer psychology, and the economics of scarcity. The East Market is a case study in community-driven commerce and the revival of physical retail in a digital age.

GLO programs bring students to Milan precisely because the city operates at the intersection of culture, business, and global influence. The vintage and flea market scene is one more layer of that intersection — and one that most study abroad programs never think to include.

A student on a recent GLO Milan program described it this way: “I spent Saturday morning at Fiera di Sinigaglia before our company visits resumed on Monday. I found a 1970s Valentino scarf for €25 and spent an hour talking to a vendor who had been selling at that canal for 30 years. He knew more about Italian textile manufacturing than anyone I’d met all week.”

Practical Guide: Planning Your Milan Vintage Day

Best times to visit

• Saturday mornings: Fiera di Sinigaglia opens at 8am — arrive early for best finds
• Last Sunday of the month: Mercatone dell’Antiquariato along Naviglio Grande (9am–6pm)
• Monthly (usually second-to-last Sunday): East Market at Via Mecenate (10am–9pm)
• Tuesday–Saturday: Cavalli e Nastri and Madame Pauline Vintage (check individual hours)

Getting around

• East Market: Metro Line 4 (M4), stop Repetti; or Tram 27 to Via Mecenate/Via Fantoli
• Navigli markets: Metro Line 2 to Porta Genova FS, then walk along the canal
• Cavalli e Nastri (Ticinese): Metro Line 2 to Porta Genova, walk north on Via Mora
• Madame Pauline (Foro Buonaparte): Metro Line 1 or 2 to Cairoli

What to bring

• Cash — many vintage vendors don’t accept cards (East Market has an ATM on-site)
• A reusable bag — most stalls don’t provide packaging
• Comfortable shoes — the Navigli markets cover significant distances on cobblestones
• A flexible schedule — the best vintage discoveries take time

Experience Milan the Way Insiders Do — With GLO

The best versions of a city aren’t in the tourist maps. They’re in the Saturday markets, the canalside conversations, the vintage shop where a vendor hands you a Valentino scarf and tells you its history. GLO programs are built around exactly this kind of immersive, layered experience — combining executive company visits and professional networking with the cultural depth that makes international travel genuinely transformative.

Build global career skills before you graduate — explore GLO programs and experience Milan the way it’s meant to be experienced.

Frequently Asked Questions — Vintage Shopping in Milan & GLO Programs

Q: What is the best vintage shop in Milan for designer pieces?

A: Cavalli e Nastri is widely considered the finest vintage destination in Milan for designer and luxury pieces. With three boutiques in the city, it stocks items spanning from the 1920s to the 2000s, including pieces by Chanel, Hermès, Valentino, Fendi, Armani, and lesser-known Italian designers of historical significance. It has been cited by The New York Times, Vogue Italia, and Lonely Planet as a must-visit.

Q: When and where is the East Market in Milan?

A: East Market Milan (Eastmarketmilano.com) takes place once a month, typically on the second-to-last Sunday, at Via Mecenate 88/A, in a renovated former aircraft factory. The market is open from 10am to 9pm, admission is €5 (children under 12 free), and features over 300 vendors selling vintage clothing, records, furniture, collectibles, and more. Dogs are welcome. The indoor space is heated and air-conditioned, making it a year-round destination.

Q: What is the oldest flea market in Milan?

A: Fiera di Sinigaglia is Milan’s oldest flea market, dating back to the 1800s. It is also the only flea market in the city that operates every week — specifically every Saturday from 8am to approximately 5–6pm along Alzaia Naviglio Grande. Entry is free. The market is known for vintage clothing, vinyl records, handmade jewellery, books, and a wide mix of subculture-driven finds.

Q: When is the Navigli antique market in Milan (Mercatone dell’Antiquariato)?

A: The Mercatone dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande takes place on the last Sunday of every month, from 9am to 6pm. It stretches approximately two kilometers along the Alzaia Naviglio Grande from Viale Gorizia to Via Valenza, with around 380 specialized vendors offering high-quality antiques, vintage fashion, art, books, porcelain, and decorative objects. Admission is free.

Q: What is Global Learning Opportunities (GLO)?

A: Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) is an international education organization that has been running short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs since 1977. GLO programs combine executive company visits, academic credit, professional networking, and cultural immersion — positioning each experience as a student’s first business trip abroad. To date, GLO has connected over 33,000 alumni with global business leaders across 650+ seminars worldwide.

Q: What makes GLO study abroad programs different from standard study abroad?

A: GLO programs prioritize direct professional exposure — participants visit multinational companies and meet industry leaders — while earning university credit in a short, intensive format (typically one to three weeks). This allows students to gain meaningful international experience without delaying graduation. The combination of business access, academic rigor, and cultural immersion is what distinguishes GLO from traditional semester-abroad models.

Q: Can I study abroad with GLO without prior international experience?

A: Yes. GLO programs are designed to be accessible to first-time international travelers as well as experienced global students. Faculty leaders and support staff guide every aspect of the program, from logistics and company visits to cultural excursions. No prior international experience is required.

Q: Is Milan safe for student travelers?

A: Milan is generally considered a safe destination for student travelers. The Navigli district, home to Fiera di Sinigaglia and the Mercatone dell’Antiquariato, is lively and well-populated on market days, though as in any busy urban market, standard precautions against pickpocketing apply. The East Market venue is an enclosed, staffed indoor space. GLO programs provide on-the-ground support and logistical guidance throughout each program.

This article is part of GLO’s Cultural Immersion Series. For program schedules, destinations, and application information, visit the Global Learning Opportunities website.