L’artigiano in Fiera is an internationally-renowned craft fair in Milan. It draws visitors from all over Italy and beyond and showcases the best of Italian and international handicraft and artisan work. It is a unique event that offers an extremely wide range of handmade creations. The distinctive feature of this event is the variety of products on display, that come from all over the world and cover an infinite range of categories.

When and Where

The fair takes place from November 30th through December 8th in the Rho-Pero Exhibition Center. Open daily from 10 am to 10.30 pm, entrance is free. If you arrive by car, be prepared to spend € 17 for a full day of parking or 2.50 per hour. Otherwise, you can choose public means of transport such as the train or metro system.

What to Expect

Do not miss this chance to start (or finish) your Christmas shopping. You won’t find any run of the mill items here, but instead, the finest, most unique handcrafted items. If you are visiting the fair for the first time, you will certainly be astonished by the number of items on display.

Don’t be surprised if you see people pushing trolleys and carrying huge bags full of items, food, and even furniture. Pick up a map at the main gate and start exploring. One pavilion is dedicated entirely to Italy and its gastronomic and artisan excellences. Leather, wool, wood, glass and iron items will all be here. Cured meats, cheese, wine, oil, desserts, fresh pasta, bread, rice, jam, and salty preserves will make your mouth water. Every stand offers free samples, but you can have a full meal at the stands equipped with a kitchen. In order to avoid long lines, I suggest you have your lunch at 12.00 o’clock.

Another pavilion is dedicated to Europe and all its member states. Here too, the range of products offered is almost infinite. Colorful Spanish creations, soft Norwegian clothes, fresh Greek food, fine Belgian chocolate, tasty Nordic salmon and nourishing German food. These are only a few examples of what you’ll see, try, taste and probably buy at the European pavilion.

International Cuisine

The remaining pavilions are divided by continent. You will be literally overwhelmed by the aromas, colors, and voices of a hundred different countries. If you love international cuisine, you’ll find it here- from Cantonese to sushi, from tapas to couscous.

Over the course of the fair, various events are planned from cooking shows to creativity courses. You can attend popular dances and fashion shows. For the complete calendar, consult the event’s official website.

The organizers, as in previous editions, have prepared lots of useful services for visitors. I recommend you take advantage of the AF Express, which is a home delivery service of products you purchase at the fair. Inside the event, a special children’s area allows parents to explore the fair in peace, moving around with a loaded cart rather than with strollers.

This is absolutely a MUST SEE event!

Copyright photos: artigianoinfiera.it