Lugano Shopping Guide
Via Nassa, Lugano
Via Nassa and Via Pessina are two of the most popular shopping streets found right in the heart of Lugano. They offer a fantastic range of shops from famous fashion designers' boutiques to delicatessens and bakeries. Some of the luxury brands you can find here are Hermes, Versace, Gucci, Issey Miyake, Armani, Rolex and Cartier.
Every friday there is also a fresh food and flower market close by in the Piazza Riforma which is well worth a visit. And also there are several good department stores and supermarkets in the area which offer a range of products, fashions and household goods. Some of the more notable ones are the Manor (Piazza Dante), COOP City (Via Nassa) and Migros (Via Pretorio).
Most shops and department stores in the Via Nassa district are open between the hours of 08.00 and 18.30 weekdays. However on Thursdays the opening times are longer and shops stay open until around 21.00. Saturday opening times are the shortest and you will normally find most shops close around 17.00, apart from in the summer when the larger stores tend to stay open until 18.00 hrs.
Foxtown - 15 Km From Lugano
Just a short drive south from Lugano centre is the Foxtown shopping complex in Mendrisio. Here you can find 130 stores, a casino, several bars and restaurants plus a generous amount of visitor parking. The Foxtown centre boasts of having prestigious brands at factory prices, and stores in the complex include D&G, Armani, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Boss, Gant, Prada, Versace and Valentino. As well as fashions Foxtown is also a great place to buy household goods, eyewear, Italian leather products, footwear and sports equipment too.
The shopping mall is open 7 days a week from 11.00 to 19.00.
Getting to Foxtown from Lugano
- Catch the train from Lugano to Mendrisio Station - Approximate journey time 19 minutes.
- Catch the bus from Mendrisio Station to Foxtown - Approximate journey time 2 minutes
- Foxtown Shopping Centre
Centro Lugano Sud Shopping Centre
Just a few minutes outside Lugano is the Centro Lugano Sud Shopping Centre. This complex has in excess of 50 stores and includes popular retailers like: Media Markt, C&A, H&M, COOP, Yves Rocher and Ikea. The centre has several restaurants (including one in Ikea) and is open every week day from 09.00 to 18.30. On Saturdays it stays open until 21.00 but on Sundays closes a few hours earlier at 17.00.
Lugano Market
The market takes place on Piazza Della Riforma in the city centre on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The weekday market runs from 08.00 to 12.00 while on Saturdays it continues through into the afternoon and finishes around 17.00. During the week the market consists mainly of local produce and fresh flower stalls, while at the weekend stall numbers are boosted with vendors selling antiques and handicrafts.
Visitors Favourites in Lugano
Now you are familiar with the shopping opportunities in and around the Lugano area we would like to bring you a selection of shops that always seem to prove popular with visitors to the city:
- If you love wine you might like to try I Grandi Vini del Mondo which can be found at riva Vela 4, Lugano. This wine shop specialises in stocking a wide range of vintage and hard to find wines, especially the famous Ticino Merlots. Along with its fine wines the shop also features a great selection of wine accessories too. These include things like Carafes and Stemware and many other beautiful objects that the wine connoisseur is sure to appreciate.
- For handmade leather goods there is a splendid shop called Valextra which is located at Via Canova, Lugano. Specialising in exclusive leather products this shop has a wonderful selection of attache cases, leather handbags and accessories.
- For those who collect antiques or just like to browse them then there is a nice little place at 29 Via Nassa called the Antichita la Colonna. This very friendly shop offers a fine selection of antique furniture, lamps and decorative pieces. They also specialise in rare picture frames and other art collectibles.