In Italy, the mercato settimanale (weekly market) is much more than a place to shop - it's a centuries-old tradition. Market stalls appear early in the morning and begin disappearing around lunchtime, so for the best selection of local delicacies, plan to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.
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Mercato, Borgomanero
Mercato, Borgomanero
Mercato, Borgomanero
Mercato, Borgomanero
Lake Orta Markets: Where to Buy Local Food, Cheese, Souvenirs and Antiques
Lake Orta Markets: Where to Buy Local Food, Cheese, Souvenirs and Antiques
This guide is part of our complete Lake Orta travel guide.
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To truly experience the rhythm of life in Piedmont, do what the locals do at least once a week-visit a traditional market. This is where residents buy fresh vegetables, local cheeses and cured meats, meet friends, exchange the latest news and enjoy life at an unhurried pace. For travellers, it is the perfect opportunity to pick up authentic food souvenirs, handcrafted local products and spend a few hours immersed in everyday Italian life.
Because Lake Orta has remained largely untouched by mass tourism, its markets have preserved their authentic local character. The atmosphere is still that of a typical Italian morning, and most markets take place only once a week. If you would like to include one in your itinerary, it is worth checking the schedule in advance.
Weekly Market Calendar: From Borgomanero to Omegna
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Tuesday
Pettenasco and San Maurizio d'Opaglio.
A small morning market takes place in Pettenasco on Piazza Unità d’Italia (from April to late September, the market is relocated to Piazza Europa). It is an excellent choice for visitors staying on the eastern shore of Lake Orta who are looking for fresh ingredients for their apartment or a lakeside picnic.
On the opposite shore, another local market comes to life in San Maurizio d'Opaglio on Piazza I° Maggio. Both markets are cosy neighbourhood gatherings rather than tourist attractions, offering an excellent selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs and artisan bread.
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Treasure Hunting: Antiques and Vintage Finds
If you love antique porcelain, vintage Bialetti moka pots, vinyl records or furniture with a story to tell, the Lake Orta area has plenty to offer. Besides open-air antique fairs, you'll also find large second-hand stores where genuine hidden treasures occasionally turn up.
Orta San Giulio itself does not have a regular antiques market. However, on San Giulio Island you'll discover the legendary Antica Bottega, a small shop specialising in antique books, engravings and rare collectors' items. For a more extensive treasure hunt, head to Borgomanero or Omegna.
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Borgomanero's antique market takes place on the last Sunday of every month. While Foro Boario is undergoing renovation, the market has temporarily moved to the historic centre, with stalls lining Corso Garibaldi, Corso Roma and Corso Cavour. Here you'll find antique postcards, porcelain, silverware, vintage home décor, books, vinyl records and countless other items with a story to tell.
Omegna does not have a monthly antiques market. However, throughout the warmer months, the historic centre and the lakeside promenade regularly host fairs featuring antiques, vintage goods and handmade crafts. The largest of these traditionally takes place during the San Vito Festival in August, when the entire town centre is transformed into one large open-air market.
Didn't make it to the Sunday market? No problem. Borgomanero is home to two large mercatini dell'usato (second-hand shops), where local residents bring furniture, tableware, home décor, books and countless other pre-owned items. As the selection changes constantly, every visit offers the chance of discovering an unexpected treasure.
Both shops are open throughout the week except Monday. Before visiting, it is worth checking their current opening hours, as they may vary depending on the season and public holidays.
Il Mercatino dell'Usato Eco Bazar (Via Novara 302, Borgomanero) is one of the largest stores of its kind in the area. It is particularly worth visiting for porcelain and coffee sets, antique picture frames, chandeliers, solid wooden furniture and classic Italian home furnishings.
Mercatino L'Arcobaleno dell'Usato (Via Goffredo Mameli 29, Borgomanero) is a smaller shop where you'll often find vintage Italian glassware, crystal, copper cookware, decorative objects and a variety of charming collectible pieces.
What to Buy at Lake Orta Markets
If you'd like to take home more than just a typical souvenir, head to one of the local markets. They're the best places to buy regional delicacies, quality home textiles and vintage Italian household items. Here's a handy checklist of what to look for.
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Toma Piemontese cheese – The signature cheese of Piedmont. It comes in two main varieties: tenera (young, soft and creamy) and dura (aged, firmer and more flavourful). Don't hesitate to ask for a small taste before choosing your favourite.
Bettelmatt cheese – One of Italy's rarest and most expensive cheeses, produced on only a handful of high-altitude alpine pastures in northern Piedmont. It is prized for its distinctive aroma of mountain herbs.
Traditional cured meats – Look for Salame della Duja, a pork salami aged in earthenware jars under rendered pork fat, giving it an exceptionally tender texture, and Mortadella di Fegato, a traditional sausage made with pork, liver, wine and aromatic spices.
Honey and chestnuts – The forests surrounding Lake Orta produce excellent chestnut honey (miele di castagno), a dark honey with a distinctive, pleasantly bittersweet flavour.
Vintage moka coffee makers – The nearby town of Omegna is the historic birthplace of the iconic Bialetti and Alessi brands. Local vintage shops often stock rare moka pots from the 1960s to the 1980s, which, after a little polishing, make both a functional coffee maker and a stylish piece of Italian design.
Antique copper cookware – Piedmont has a long tradition of metal craftsmanship. Keep an eye out for traditional copper jam pans (paiolo or paiola), ladles and vintage baking moulds.
Italian porcelain and ceramics – Look for hand-painted pasta bowls, antique soup tureens, gravy boats and fine porcelain produced by renowned manufacturers such as Richard Ginori or Laveno, whose historic factory was located on nearby Lake Maggiore.
Coloured glass decanters and glasses – Mid-20th-century Italy had a passion for coloured glass. Markets often offer beautiful vintage sets in deep blue, emerald green or warm amber tones.
Linen tablecloths and napkins – Piedmont and neighbouring Lombardy have a long tradition of textile production. Local markets are excellent places to buy high-quality linen and cotton table linens, often decorated with elegant embroidery.
Shopping Tips
Bring some cash. Most market vendors now accept credit and debit cards, but cash is still the easiest way to pay at smaller farmers' markets or when making low-value purchases. Having a few small banknotes and coins with you will definitely come in handy.
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Arrive early. The parking areas closest to the markets begin filling up early in the morning and are often full by 9:00 a.m. This is especially true for the larger markets in Borgomanero and Omegna. Most weekly markets start packing up around 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., while many small shops and mercatini dell'usato also close for a lunch break. For the best experience, plan your shopping in the morning.
Don't be afraid to ask politely for a discount. At antique markets and second-hand shops, the simple phrase "È possibile avere uno sconto?" ("Would it be possible to have a small discount?") often helps reduce the price, especially if you're buying several items.
Visit at the end of the season. At the larger markets - particularly in Borgomanero - clothing vendors often clear their remaining seasonal collections at substantial discounts, sometimes up to 50% or more. It's an excellent opportunity to buy quality Italian clothing at very attractive prices. Since many items are available only in limited quantities, the best bargains usually go to those who arrive early.
Even if you don't plan to buy anything, a visit to a local market is worthwhile for the atmosphere alone. Pick a market day, grab a woven shopping bag, and set off in search of your own Italian treasures.
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