Esempi: Arese, cinema Roma, Zara, Torino
Milan and its hinterland have twenty operating shopping malls, spread along the motorway corridors and metro lines. There is no single "best" mall: it depends on what you are looking for, where you are staying and who you are with. This guide ranks them by overall quality, starting with the five that offer the richest experience in terms of variety, dining, entertainment and services.
148 stores, 38 restaurants, UCI Cinemas and 10,000 free parking spaces: Il Centro Arese is the most complete mall in the Milan area. It sits on the former Alfa Romeo factory grounds, north-west of Milan. The Iper La grande i hypermarket occupies an entire wing, while the gallery spans two levels with a mix from Zara and H&M to R-Store Apple and Lego. Dining is equally broad: from Japanese at Bomaki to burgers at Bun Burgers and Johnny Rockets. The downside: no metro access (car only, or bus from Rho Fiera).
112 stores, 30 restaurants and a history dating back to the 1990s. The stand-out feature for families is Fiordakids, a dedicated play area, plus nursery and changing rooms. The Space Cinema has an EPIC screen with panoramic display and immersive audio. Decathlon and Leroy Merlin are in separate buildings just across from the mall, with their own opening hours. How to get there: bus 230 from metro M2 Abbiategrasso.
Milan's newest mall (opened 2023). 130 stores and 44 restaurants: the food court is the largest in the Milan area by number of outlets. Notorious Cinemas has 10 screens. Modern architecture with natural light and open spaces. The reference supermarket is Esselunga. How to get there: Cascina Merlata commuter rail stop, or metro M1 to Molino Dorino then bus 35.
62 stores and 28 restaurants in a unique architectural setting beneath the three towers designed by Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind. The easiest mall to reach by public transport: metro M5, Tre Torri stop, with direct access. More premium than suburban malls: Anteo art-house cinema, restaurants like Altrove Cucina & Bistrot, and shops like Boss and Calvin Klein. Best for an urban experience without leaving the city.
96 stores and 13 restaurants, with Corte del Gusto open until 11pm every day. The real strength is the surrounding retail cluster: IKEA, Decathlon and Leroy Merlin are in the same area of Carugate, allowing you to combine fashion, home, sport and DIY shopping in one trip. No cinema. How to get there: by car (tangenziale est, Carugate exit) or shuttle from metro M2 Cologno Nord.
140 outlet brands with 30-70% discounts, in an open-air format at Locate di Triulzi, south of Milan. The only outlet in the Milan area (Serravalle is in Piedmont and FoxTown is across the border in Switzerland). Brands include Calvin Klein, Nike, Guess, Levi's, Puma. Car only.
More an entertainment hub than a traditional mall: UCI Cinemas with 18 screens, PlayCity bowling and 32 restaurants versus only 17 stores. The right choice for an evening out, not for shopping.
80 stores and 21 restaurants in Assago, directly on metro M2 (Milanofiori Forum stop). Near the Mediolanum Forum concert venue. The only large mall in the southern suburbs reachable by metro without a transfer.
82 stores and 13 restaurants in Peschiera Borromeo, 4 km from Linate airport. Ipercoop hypermarket. The reference mall for the south-east quadrant.
57 stores and 16 restaurants in Bellinzago Lombardo, on the road to Bergamo. Cinema Arcadia (4K Laser multiplex), PlayCity bowling and KFC among the dining options.
| Mall | Where | Stores | Restaurants | Opening hours | Public transport from Milan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Il Centro Arese | Arese | 148 | 38 | daily 09-22 | Metro M1 to Rho Fiera, then bus 561; paid shuttle from Milano Centrale and Cadorna on weekends |
| Centro Commerciale Fiordaliso | Rozzano | 112 | 30 | daily 09-22 | Metro M2 to Abbiategrasso, then tram 15 |
| Merlata Bloom Milano | Milano | 130 | 44 | Mon-Fri 09-21; Sat-Sun 09-22 | Metro M1 to Molino Dorino, then bus 35 (or a 20-minute walk) |
| CityLife Shopping District | Milano | 62 | 28 | Mon-Thu 10-21; Fri-Sat 10-22; Sun 10-21 | Metro M5 Tre Torri, direct access |
| Centro Commerciale Carosello | Carugate | 96 | 13 | daily 09-21 | shuttle from Metro M2 Cologno Nord |
| Scalo Milano Outlet & More | Locate di Triulzi | 140 | 19 | daily 10-21 | free shuttle from Piazza della Repubblica (booking required) or bus Z413 from M2 Famagosta |
| Bicocca Village | Milano | 17 | 32 | Mon-Fri 10-21; Sat 11-23; Sun 11-21 | Metro M5 Ponale or Bicocca, about 10 minutes on foot |
| Centro Commerciale Milanofiori | Assago | 80 | 21 | daily 09-21 | Metro M2 Assago Milanofiori Nord |
| Galleria Borromea | Peschiera Borromeo | 82 | 13 | daily 09-21 | bus 140 from Metro M3 San Donato |
| La Corte Lombarda | Bellinzago Lombardo | 57 | 16 | daily 09-21 | bus Z323 from Metro M2 Gorgonzola |
Stores and restaurants counted on the official store lists (services excluded); opening hours as published on the official websites (checked between September and October 2026). Hours may change on public holidays.
Most complete offer: Il Centro Arese (148 stores, 38 restaurants, UCI Cinemas, 10,000 parking spaces)
Families: Fiordaliso (Fiordakids play area, nursery, The Space Cinema EPIC)
Best dining: Merlata Bloom (44 restaurants, Milan's largest food court)
By metro, no car needed: CityLife (M5 Tre Torri) or Milanofiori (M2 Milanofiori Forum)
Home + fashion combo: Carosello + IKEA + Decathlon + Leroy Merlin in Carugate
Outlet shopping: Scalo Milano Outlet (140 brands, 30-70% off)
Evening out: Bicocca Village (UCI 18 screens, 32 restaurants, bowling)
Il Centro Arese: 148 stores, 38 restaurants, UCI Cinemas and 10,000 free parking spaces: Il Centro Arese is the most complete mall in the Milan area.
Fiordaliso Rozzano: 112 stores, 30 restaurants and a history dating back to the 1990s.
Merlata Bloom Milano: Milan's newest mall (opened 2023).
CityLife Shopping District: 62 stores and 28 restaurants in a unique architectural setting beneath the three towers designed by Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind.
Carosello Carugate: 96 stores and 13 restaurants, with Corte del Gusto open until 11pm every day.
Scalo Milano Outlet: 140 outlet brands with 30-70% discounts, in an open-air format at Locate di Triulzi, south of Milan.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
Founder of CentroCommerciale.it. I write practical guides for people who want to visit Italian shopping malls without wasting time.
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