Milan (Italian: Milano) is one of our favorite places to visit. In planning our European trips, we always include a stop in Milan, even if just for a day or two. We love the city’s vibrancy, the history which lives imprinted in its buildings and museums, the fashionable side of regular people, the culture, and the food. Milan offers so much to its visitors, yet feels very manageable. It is true that tourists love to visit and there are crowds at the top tourist destinations. However, the many years of visiting Milan has enabled us to avoid the crowds and enjoy it, like the locals.
In addition, Milan is very well connected to the rest of the country via the excellent Italian train system, and several wonderful trips are just a few hours away (stay tuned for posts on our trips to Turin, Verona, Bologna, Florence, Venice and more!).
Where to stay in Milan
Our favorite hotel in Milan is the Park Hyatt Milan. Renovated in 2022, it offers a great location near all major tourist sites, yet is tucked away on a side street and feels secluded. Once you step through the front doors, the tranquility and beauty of its design take over and leave the noise of the city behind. We love everything about this hotel – the rooms and suites, the outstanding Mio Lab bar, the beautiful cupola of the La Cupola restaurant, and the culinary experience of the Pellico 3 Milano (formerly Vun restaurant). Highly recommend the Park Hyatt Milan.
A few other favorite hotels in town include:
- Mandarin Oriental – another excellently located hotel. Secluded, luxurious, offering great atmosphere, suites, food, and more.
- The Gray Hotel – a boutique hotel in the center of town that is a little bit more reasonably priced but still offers the amenities of a luxury hotel. The rooms are beautiful and unique, and the staff is very helpful and responsive.
Milan offers many lodging options at all price points, so you are sure to find the right accommodations.
Day 1 in Milan
When in a destination, we like to tie our first day activities to history. This provides an excellent background for the rest of our stay and puts everything else we do in context.
Visit the Milan Duomo (Duomo di Milano)
An impressive cathedral which took six centuries to complete, the Duomo stands tall in the center of town. It is an overwhelming and beautiful building and is tied to much of Milan’s history. Although there is some debate about the size of the Duomo, it is considered by many to be the third-largest cathedral in the world. Be sure to plan and book a tour before you go on your trip to allow for maximum flexibility and to ensure that you avoid the crowds as much as possible. You can buy tickets on the Duomo website. Also, you can read more about the Duomo here.
Visit the Sforza Castle
Another must see in Milan is the Sforza Castle, a 15th century fortification built by Francesco Sforza, the lord of the city at the time. The castle currently houses different museums, and a visit inside will give you an idea of what life like was for its inhabitants. In addition, you will also view art and archaeological finds from different historical periods.
The castle houses the last work by Michelangelo – Pietà Rondanini. Once on the castle grounds, follow the signs to the sculpture. You need tickets to the castle to see Michelangelo’s work.
You can buy tickets online to save time and avoid the lines. Be sure to exit the Sforza castle towards the back and enter Parco Sempione. Stroll the grounds of one of the city’s largest parks. Locals and tourists alike love the park.
Stroll by Borsa Italiana
A historical landmark with an interesting sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan in front named L.O.V.E. Founded in 1808, Borsa Italiana has served as the Italian stock exchange to this day. While you will not be able to get inside, the building and the art area worth seeing. You can read more about the Borsa here and about the sculpture here.
L.O.V.E. stands for liberta, odio, vendetta, and eternita (translated to ‘freedom, hate, revenge, and eternity’).
Day 2 in Milan
See Leonardo’s Last Supper Masterpiece
Milan is where Leonardo Da Vinci painted his world-famous work. The mural can be found on a wall in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. The work was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. The history behind the mural is truly fascinating. While you can purchase a ticket online and view the mural on your own, we highly recommend taking a tour with a local guide. It adds so much to the experience. Tickets are limited and, as you can imagine, many are interested to view this work of art, so plan well ahead. You can purchase tickets here.
Following, you can also visit Leonardo’s Vineyard, just across the street from the church. Tickets are available here.
Stroll through Bocconi University grounds
A private university in Milan, Bocconi is often considered the best university in Italy in its fields. If you are a fan of architecture, the university buildings are a must see. A real architectural wonder that sits in sharp contrast with the rest of the city, or perhaps complements it in an interesting way by bridging the past with the future. Highly recommend seeing it and walking the university grounds.
Day 3 in Milan
Do some shopping or just window browse
Undoubtedly, Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world. Fashion powerhouses like Versace, Bottega Veneta, Canali, Dsquared2, Etro, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Giuseppe Zanotti and so many others are based in Milan. Even if you do not follow the latest fashion trends, spending time walking around the fashion district of Milan – known as Quadrilatero della Moda, is another way to appreciate this diverse city. There are four main streets in the district: via Monte Napoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia.
For more affordable Italian fashion, visit Corso Buenos Aires – a street dedicated to shopping where you can find many international brands but more importantly, Italian brands not found in the United States. Some of our favorite include – Contigo, Motivi, Carpisa, Liu Jo, Twinset, Celio.
For even more Italian fashion, visit the Porta Nuova shopping district. In addition to a variety of fashion stores, this area represents another example of modern Italian architecture. Of note are the two Bosco Verticale residential towers. The towers are stunning and represent examples of how green technology can be used in everyday life. They use renewable energy from solar panels and filtered wastewater to sustain the buildings’ plant life.
Additionally, you will also see modern Italian architecture reflected in the many bank buildings, IBM offices, and stores that surround a walk-through pond in the middle of the complex.
In our opinion, the area is a must see.
Where to drink and eat in Milan
Milan has no shortage of excellent food options. The city is situated in the Lombardia region of Italy, a region famous for its rich and decadent food. Saffron-infused risotto, rice and polenta dishes, pumpkin, hazelnuts, cheeses, and butters are all staples here. In that way, northern Italian food is closer to Swiss and German food than to the Mediterranean cuisine that most people imagine when they picture Italian food.
Aperitivo
Start each of your evenings in town by joining in the locals and tourist alike in enjoying Aperitivo. From 6 to 8 pm people gather for a drink and chat at many of the local bars and restaurants, and the city gets transformed by a different liveliness. Here are our favorite Aperitivo places:
- Mio Lab Bar at the Park Hyatt – elegant atmosphere, beautiful take on cocktails. We have not tried a cocktail we didn’t like.
- Bar Brera (address: Via Brera, 23, 20121 Milano MI, Italy) – for a more casual aperitivo. Great outdoor patio and simple food to munch on. We visit this bar every time we are in town.
- La Tartina (address: F5CM+HW Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy) – fantastic place for Aperitivo; inside sitting only. Their open-faced sandwiches are some of our favorites. Always very lively.
- N’Ombra de Vin (address: Via S. Marco, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy) – a favorite where locals gather. This place is always packed; however, you can get a reservation ahead of time. You can start with Aperitivo and stay for dinner. Their restaurant has an underground wine cellar with more than 2,500 bottles of wine.
- Stendhal Milano – another local favorite and a more recent discovery for us but a great bar and restaurant that we plan to visit again.
- Canal Navigli bars and restaurants – this is an entire area of town focused on nightlife. Plenty of options wherever you decide to stop for Aperitivo. Favorite with locals and tourists alike but you can always find a place to take in this local tradition.
Lunch or Dinner
For a special lunch or dinner in an elegant setting, consider some of our favorite restaurants:
- Contraste, Milan Italy – Hands-down one of our favorite restaurants in the world, we keep coming back to every time we are in Milan. The food, the service, the atmosphere are just amazing. Reserve ahead of time as space is limited.
- Seta, Milan Italy – A hidden gem inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Seta is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or delight in the food art presented by its chef. Simply fantastic. Plus, you never know who might be enjoying lunch or dinner at this very special restaurant, as it is popular with fashion industry executives and models. Reservations are required.
- Joia, Milan Italy – An outstanding vegan restaurant. The attention to detail and the creativity of chef Pietro Lieemann make this restaurant a must for anyone who enjoys good food and is intrigued by the exploration of vegan food. Reservations are required.
For a more casual lunch or evening, consider one of the below:
- Pesa Pubblica – our all-time favorite casual restaurant in Milan. Their food is fresh and locally inspired, always seasonal, and always delicious. They get our highest recommendation and a visit every time we are in town!
- Spontini – Pizza, not a traditional food for northern Italy; however, a unique and tasty take for a very casual (standing room only) lunch or dinner. Spontini is a local institution.
- Salsamenteria di Parma – if you are a fan of Italian prosciutto, this restaurant should make your list. The prosciutto comes in a pizza pan, sliced thin and oh, so very delicious. Also, they serve excellent wines by the glass or bowl – something unique to try.
Other things to do in and around Milan
- Visit Teatro alla Scala – if you are in Milan when there are performances in La Scala, be sure to get tickets. This is a historic and beautiful world class opera and ballet venue, and it will surely impress you.
- Attend Milan Fashion Week – held twice a year in spring and fall, Fashion Week transforms the city into a place where likeminded creatives and models come together to present and celebrate fashion. If you happen to be in town when Fashion Week is happening, research the events and be sure to at least walk by the venues and people watch. It is a unique and not to be missed experience. You can often attend exhibitions which showcase individual designers.
- Take a trip by train – easy day trips are something to consider if you have extra time. You can visit the lakes (Cuomo, Iseo, Maggiore), or take an train trip to Turin, Bologna, or Verona. Stay tuned for our itineraries to these and other Italian destinations.
What we love about Milan
- Unique and very cosmopolitan Italian city with plenty of history and a modern vibe that is different from the rest of the country
- Excellent food and plenty of options; always something new to try
- Easy access to the rest of Italy via an excellent train system
- A beautiful city to visit no matter the season
- Stylish and fashion forward people everywhere
- The city is easily accessible with a major airport nearby
What to bring
- No matter the season, try to bring stylish clothes to wear
- Bring comfortable shoes, as you can expect to walk a lot
- Sunglasses
- An umbrella. We like this one for travel – but Amazon has many reasonably priced options.
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
In closing, Milan continues to be one of our favorite cities in the world and we expect to continue to visit and re-discover it for many years to come.
Stay tuned for our specific recommendations on what to wear.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
Pin it
