On Wednesday it’s market day in Luino, and so I went on a 1-day trip to visit it. Living in the south of Germany means that I can actually go on a single Day Trip to Italy. In the early morning, just before sunrise started, I jumped on a bus and literally woke up by crossing the border of Switzerland and Italy about 5 hours later. By car, the same journey takes at least 1 to 2 hours less, as buses just aren’t allowed to drive as fast as cars are. Nevertheless, Italy! Whenever there is an opportunity to go to Italy, I take it. The combination of Italy, your bestie in tow and a shopping day at a market offering anything from clothes, shoes to food, is just too good!
The Italian cities around Lake Maggiore, or Lago Maggiore in Italian, are widely known for their markets. The most famous ones are in Cernobbio, Verbania, Intra and Luino. All the markets aren’t just fruit and vegetable markets, as typical for Italy in general, you will also find other groceries like meat, olive oil, pastries as well as clothes, shoes and home supplies. Most products are sold by small business owners, and you can often find some true gems if you search long enough. Years ago you could but most things for reasonable prices, and if not, you definitely had to negotiate with the dealer. Unfortunately now, a lot was quite expensive and the dealers reacted quite pissed suggesting a fairly lower price than 50€ for a handbag or 20€ for a blouse. Even the Tips of my Guide on how to successfully haggle at a market in Italy didn’t help.
But now, straightforward to my experience at the famous market in Luino, Lake Maggiore in Italy. As part of my day trip, I had 4 hours in Luino, which is actually quite okay to fully experience everything.
Address Market Luino at Lake Maggiore
Corso XXV Aprile
21016 Luino VA
Italy
Pictures: Wednesday market in Luino, at Lake Maggiore in Italy
More Lake Maggiore and market tips: Lake Maggiore, Luino, Market and Markets in Italy posts, plus the Lombardy category. My Luino day trip also appears in my Travel Year 2017.
FAQ: Luino market at Lake Maggiore
When is the market in Luino?
The famous market in Luino takes place on Wednesdays. Check the current schedule before you go.
Where is the Luino market?
Along Corso XXV Aprile, 21016 Luino VA, Italy, at Lake Maggiore.
How much time do you need at the Luino market?
I had 4 hours in Luino as part of a day trip, which was quite okay to fully experience everything.
What can you buy at the market?
Besides fruit and vegetables there are other groceries such as meat, olive oil and pastries, plus clothes, shoes and home supplies, mostly sold by small business owners.
Can you haggle at Italian markets?
Years ago negotiating was usual. At the time of my visit many items were quite expensive and dealers did not move much on price, so do not count on big discounts.
Which other Lake Maggiore towns have famous markets?
Cernobbio, Verbania and Intra are also widely known for their markets.
How do you get to Luino from southern Germany?
I took an early morning bus across the Swiss-Italian border, which took about 5 hours. By car it takes at least 1 to 2 hours less.
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