Home Christmas ‘Saldi’, Made in Italy and a lot more besides

‘Saldi’, Made in Italy and a lot more besides

by Elba Slamecka

Italy’s Best Designer Outlets

This year’s Black Friday may have already come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still great deals to be found. Italy is packed with designer outlets housing the world’s favourite fashion brands, often very close to the factories where the finest quality apparel continues to be produced. So whether you’re scratching your head for last-minute Christmas presents or looking to take a whistle-stop shopping trip, Italy’s selection of outlet stores will leave you spoilt for choice. Here are a few suggestions of Italy’s best designer outlets, from North to South.

FoxTown Factory Stores

The FoxTown Factory Stores are technically in Switzerland, but are such a favourite among Italian shoppers that they might as well be in Italy. Located in the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino, the outlet, also known as FoxTown Mendrisio, is easily accessible from the Como and Milan areas, which are a short drive away along the main roads. 

Housing 250 brands in a 4-storey, 3km complex, FoxTown offers an impressive selection of sportswear, luxury fashion, makeup, accessories and homeware – from Coach to Le Creuset, Gucci to Prada, and a great deal in between. Open 360 days a year from 11:00 to 19:00, why not make a day of it and go for lunch at one of their nine bars and restaurants and then spend the afternoon shopping? And you can take the whole family – there’s a children’s play area on the first floor.

Address: Via Angelo Maspoli 18, 6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland

Nearest airports: Lugano (LUG), Milan Malpensa (MXP)

foxtown mendrisio shopping mall
FoxTown

Designer Outlet Serravalle

Accessible by car, public transport and daily shuttle buses from Milan exclusively for customers, the outlet at Serravalle boasts over 200 stores with global luxury brands discounted up to 70%. The outlet is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00 (with modified hours around Christmas and New Years’), and you can stay from breakfast to dinner-time with its selection of 15 cafés and restaurants, ranging from Italian and Asian to fast food and gelato. 

Serravalle is particularly magical at this time of year, when festive illuminations and Christmas trees abound. A pop-up Christmas store sells customizable holiday-themed presents, and you can even venture into “Santa’s Kitchen” for an immersive experience complete with sweet treats, real life elves and Santa Claus himself. 

Situated close to the rolling hills and ancient castles of the Piemontese countryside, when you’re done shopping you can explore the hidden gem of the surrounding Monferrato – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and maybe try a glass of the local wine for which the area’s vineyards are famous.

Address: Via della Moda, 1, 15069 Serravalle Scrivia AL (Piemonte)

Nearest airports: Genova City Airport (GOA), Milan Linate (LIN)

Designer Outlet Serravalle

Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave

The McArthurGlen Group behind the Serravalle outlet offers an equally exciting shopping experience to customers in the Veneto area at its outlet in Noventa di Piave, which is home to 160 stores and 11 restaurants. Within easy reach of Venice, it is the perfect destination for those looking to include outlet shopping as part of a visit to the iconic city. While you can’t quite drift in on a gondola, the outlet is located just 20 minutes from Venice’s Marco Polo airport, runs a shuttle bus from various locations around Venice, and can also arrange private or group transfers. 

The Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave ranked #1 in this year’s classification for “Italy’s Best Customer Service”, and with comprehensive guest services including an information point, tax refund office and a lounge, your shopping experience will be as smooth and stress-free as it is enjoyable.

Address: Via Marco Polo, 1, 30020 Noventa di Piave VE (Veneto)

Nearest airports: Venice (VCE)

Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave

Fidenza Village 

The Fidenza Village outlet complex offers great deals on international labels in a colourful setting that recalls the vibrant architecture and history of its native region. Accessible from the highway, Fidenza is a great pit-stop on the way to or from Tuscany, or as part of a trip through the beautiful surrounding region of Emilia Romagna. By car and train, Fidenza is a comfortable distance from Milan, Bologna and Reggio Emilia, and shuttle buses are also available also from Milan and Piacenza.

Fidenza’s easily-navigated layout makes for a varied shopping experience without being overwhelming, and you can refuel at any of the outlet’s nine dining options between sushi, plant-based burgers and artisanal gelato. For an authentic taste of Emilia Romagna’s rich regional cuisine, you must try Trattoria dai Sibani, an unassuming family-run restaurant serving generous dishes created with seasonal and locally-sourced produce, located along the main road and a mere five-minute drive from Fidenza Village.

Address: Via Federico Fellini, 1, 43036 Fidenza PR (Emilia Romagna)

Nearest airports: Milan Parma (PMF), Milan Linate (LIN)

Fidenza Village

Space PRADA Outlet 

Not far from where the legendary Italian brand continues to churn out new collections, the Space outlet is a must for lovers of all things PRADA. The sleek complex contains a veritable treasure-trove of the brand’s products, from men’s and women’s clothing to their trademark handbags and accessories. Complete with a café and arranged with PRADA’s signature elegance so that it almost doubles as the brand’s museum, customers at Space can enjoy a luxury shopping experience just like you’d find in their regular stores, but at significantly reduced prices. 

The Space PRADA outlet is open from 10:30-19:00 and is in Montevarchi, under an hour’s drive from Florence and reachable by train, car and special taxi fares and shuttle services. So whether you’re a fan of the brand or are looking for a more varied shopping experience (the outlet also sells PRADA group labels like Miu Miu, and other big names including Tom Ford, Michael Kors and Gucci), make sure to work this into your stay in Tuscany.

Address: Loc. Levanella, Via Aretina 403, 52025 Montevarchi AR (Tuscany)

Nearest airports: Florence (FLR), Bologna (BLQ)

Prada Holiday22, Photo Mark Kean

Il Castagno Brand Village

Forget Harrods – Il Castagno Brand Village in Casette D’Ete is home to the true “Shoe Heaven”. The outlet celebrates the craftsmanship and heritage of Italian shoemaking, hosting some of the country’s top shoe brands alongside international labels, clothing and other accessories. Il Castagno is a smaller, boutique-style outlet, so you can browse peacefully and get around hassle-free.

Open every day from 10:00 to 19:30 with modified hours in the festive period, it is accessible from the Autostrada [highway] A14 (exit at Civitanova Marche) and within easy reach of the region’s many attractions, from the famous beaches along the Adriatic coast to idyllic countryside and fortified medieval towns, one of which houses the thirteenth-century Basilica and Sanctuary of Loreto, an international pilgrimage site to this day.

Address: Strada Brancadoro Mostrapiedi Seconda, 63811 Casette D’Ete, Sant’Elpidio a Mare FM (Le Marche)

Nearest airports: Ancona (AOI)

outlet store
Il Castagno Brand Village

Sicilia Outlet Village

Home to over 130 brands from global high fashion houses to middle-range and high street labels, Sicilia Outlet Village is open from 10:00-20:00 during the week, and until 21:00 on weekends and holidays (modified hours around Christmas). The outlet has an array of services to streamline your shopping – including a mobile app, free WiFi, charging ports for phones and cars, free parking, personal shopping and a 24/7 concierge service. The village’s restaurants pay homage to their native region, so be sure to try some traditional food and desserts.

Ideally situated at the heart of Sicily, the Sicilia Outlet Village is within reach of all the region’s major towns and is a great place to stop during a trip through the island. Among the closest attractions are the active volcano Mount Etna, the impressively preserved fourth-century Villa Romana del Casale, breathtaking ocean views and ancient ruins in Taormina, and Siracusa, whose Basilica di Santa Lucia houses an original painting by Caravaggio. 

Address: accessible from Autostrada A19 (Palermo-Catania, exit for Dittaino – Outlet), 94011 Agira EN (Sicily)

Nearest airports: Catania (CTA)

Sicilia Outlet Village

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