Curated Travel Tips for a Perfect Stay in Milan.
In this article we cover our favourite Milan neighbourhoods and provide you with our recommendations of must-do things in the city.
Milan Map & Key-Areas
The best 5 areas to stay in Milan are:
(1) Centro, Duomo, Castello Sforzesco,
Cinque Vie, Via Montenapoleone;
(2) Brera;
(3) Porta Venezia;
(4) Zona Magenta;
(5) Porta Genova.
(1) Centro, Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Cinque Vie, Via Montenapoleone
Is this the best area to stay in Milan? Well, it would be virtually impossible to visit Milan without spending some quality time exploring the city’s most popular area. Why? Because here is where you’ll find the major concentration of monuments, theatres, shops, gallerias, hotels and restaurants. This area is also known as the Centro Storico, which comprises everything located within Milan’s old Spanish walls.
Visit the Duomo
To begin with, pay a visit to Milan’s most pictured landmark, the Duomo, a truly magnificent Cathedral that never fails to impress. We suggest taking a guided tour - one that includes exploring the rooftops and admiring the views over Piazza del Duomo - as it will help you to understand this monument’s history. Planning in advance to avoid the usually long lines is absolutely mandatory, unless you don’t mind waiting on your feet for hours.
Milan’s Gothic Landmark
Stay in a Hotel
with a Duomo View
We love a great view, it’s just in our DNA. Why not take your Milan stay to a whole new level by choosing one of the best Milan hotels with Duomo Views? From the super luxurious Park Hyatt Milano to the comfortable Rosa Grand Milano, we have explored the finest hotel views in the city - find them here.
Breakfast with a Duomo View?
@followtheraven
Watch an Opera
at Teatro alla Scala
Only the very best ever step foot on Italy’s most sacred stage, La Scala Opera House. This theatre is known for its acoustics and for hosting some of the most famous plays ever, including from Verdi, Rossini and Puccini. The theatre doors officially open every 7th of December and thousands are immediately drawn to the operas and ballets. The dress code isn’t as strict as it use to be. For a perfect evening, combine with a dinner at Trussardi alla Scala.
The Stunning
Teatro alla Scala
@studio_rdd
Shop around
Piazza del Duomo
You may wish to prepare your credit card for a shopping spree. In fact, it often seems that the “triumphant” Corso Vittorio Emanuele II was conceived with the sole purpose to cast a spell on wondering passerby. One of our favourite places here is Rinascente Milano, a department store opposite to the Duomo. Other nearby streets worth exploring are the constantly busy Corso Matteotti and Via San Pietro All’Orto. Also in Piazza del Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping mall, impresses visitors with its exuberant cupolas and manicured facades. A great place for lunch here is Ristorante Savini.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Mengoni’s Masterpiece
Explore Milan’s
Fashion Quarter
A special word must go to the Quadrilatero della Moda, where the best things money can buy are to be found. This area is nested between Via Montenapoleone and Via dell Spiga, with many upscale streets connecting them - Via Santo Spirito, Via Gesù and Via Sant’Andrea are some of the names you can’t miss while strolling in this seductive area. For a resting brake, we recommend having a divine cappuccino at Prada owned Pasticceria Marchesi or at the luxurious corner café Cova.
Sweet Delicacies at
Pasticceria Marchesi
@lavinia_biancalani
Visit Castello Sforzesco, Milan’s Castle
Milan was once ruled by a dynasty, the Sforza. The city’s 15th-century castle - Castello Sforzesco - was their home. Spending at least half a day here will prove to be a good idea as there are many museums located in this complex: the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Egyptian Museum are only a couple examples. While there, don’t forget to check the many thousands of vintage posters at the Achille Bertarelli.
Castello Sforzesco
@max_maestri
(2) Brera
This is Milan’s artsy district, with its streets sprinkled with a multitude of galleries, designer and decorations shops, charming bistros and architechts’ studios. Today the most expensive square foot in Milan, Brera is a fabulous place to stay as it is close enough to the center of the action - Centro - but still far enough to be preserved from the crowds of tourists.
Be a Guest of
Giorgio Armani
It was only in the 1970’s that Milan truly became a fashion powerhouse. Behind that achievement, one name stands out: Armani. Located only steps away from Brera, Armani Hotel Milano, one of the best hotels in Milan with a view, is a perfect address to stay in the city. If you’re based somewhere else, we suggest having a dinner at the hotel’s sevent-floor Armani Ristorante, a chance to get a glimpse at the fascinating and sophisticated world of this Italian fashion mogul.
Armani Hotel Milano
@aurelioludovico
Contemplate the Masters’ Work at Pinoteca di Brera
Are you a fan of the works of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Boccioni, Rubens and Van Dyck? If you are, pay a visit to Pinoteca di Brera, a 38-room museum located inside Palazzo Brera. After the arrival of museologist James Bradburne, this extraordinary Milanese institution has regained a new life and is better than ever.
A Neigbourhood that Breathes Art
@joaofteixeira12
Sample a Divine
Cannoli at Bottone
Should you be on a diet and looking for that perfect excuse to briefly sucumb, look no further: head to Via Alessandro Volta, 8 and sweeten your tooth with one of the delicious traditional pastries available at Bottone, made from the finest ingredients available. A creation of Alfonso Bottone himself.
The Irresistible
Red Buttons
@bottonecannoli
(3) Porta Venezia
Formerly known as Porta Orientale, the district of Porta Venezia is immediately located east of Brera, corresponding to the Zone 3 of Milan. The term Porta translates into “Gate”, and this is one of the city’s entrances since the medieval times. This area’s major arteries are Corso Venezia, becoming Corso Buenos Aires (after Porta Venezia itself), the latter being filled with close to 400 shops and often reffered to as Italy’s longest avenue (running up to Piazzale Loreto). Also worth exploring are Via Lecco and Via Melzo, both colonized by up-and-coming artists and quirky boutiques.
Visit the Galleria D’Arte Moderna - The “GAM”
Among Milan’s finest art galleries is the GAM, located in Via Palestro, only steps away from Corso Venezia and opposite to Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, a kids-friendly public park. Inside the Neoclassical palace, once the residence of Count Ludovico Belgiojoso, visitors will be stunned by sculptures, paintings and beautiful ceilings from where magnificent chandeliers seem to be dancing in perfect harmony. After visiting, we suggest stopping by at LùBar, a caffetteria housed in a glasshouse with a great ambience.
Galleria D’Arte Moderna
@koosshkaa
Enjoy a Drink with a View
at Radio Rooftop
Located on the 10th floor of ME Milan Il Duca, one of our favourite hotels in Milan with a view, this rooftop bar briefly makes one think being in New York. As the night falls in Milan, an elegant crowd heads to this fashionable venue looking for signature cocktails, lounge beats and fascinating skyline views.
Radio Rooftop at
ME Milan Il Duca
@signorina_yana
Hunt for Bargains at a Consignment Shop
Looking for something truly special and unique to take back home? If that is the case, visit one of the many consignment shops in Milan and we’re pretty sure you’ll find something that will please your taste (and wallet). Take note of these 2 names: Tra Noi e Voi (located in a basement on Via Giuseppe Marcora, 8) and Scalo Merci (near Stazione Centrale on Via Scarlatti, 30).
Shopping at
Tra Noi e Voi
@almercatinotranoievoi
(4) Zona Magenta
West to Milan’s city center, and since the 19th century, the Magenta area has become one of the finest neighbourhoods in Lombardy’s flagship city. In here you’ll find elegant homes, wide avenues and one of Milan’s most valuable treasures: Da Vinci’s The Last Supper on Cenacolo Vinciano. Also worth mentioning are the Arco della Pace (often referred to as Porta Sempione), compared to other similar arches in Hemingway’s novel A Moveable Feast; and the 12th century Basilica de Sant’Ambrogio.
Admire Da Vinci’s
The Last Supper
Visiting Milan and not contemplating in loco The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous fresco, would be a true sacrilege. This phenomenal artwork, painted in the refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazie Basilica, has been restored multiple times and is at its best shape today. The guided tours to The Last Supper last no more than 15 minutes. Booking your ticket in advance is strongly advisable.
The Last Supper
@alexepajares
Feel Il Calcio at
San Siro Stadium
Don’t miss the chance to visit Italy’s largest stadium, the San Siro (for AC Milan fans) and Giuseppe Meazza (for Inter supporters). Being one of the greatest football stages in the world, the atmosphere, particularly during matches, is fully charged with emotions. A visit to San Siro, not far from Magenta and Fiera areas, is a must for all of those wishing to experience the magnitude of this sport in Italy.
San Siro Stadium
@_trip92_
Visit Milan’s Second
Most Important Church
Always in the shadow of the city’s emblem Duomo, the spectacular Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio is no less worth a visit. As the tale goes, this is where the Devil himself tempted the city’s patron - Ambrogio - with no success. As he left in fury, a column was hit - the Devil’s Column - and the marks of his horns are still visible today. Among the reasons to visit this church, originally built in 379, is to admire the extraordinary brickwork structure and the two uneven towers that are part of its identity.
Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
@giovanni_noe
Could this be the best
espresso in Milan?
Coffee lovers, this one is for you. With its doors opened since 1946, just after the war ended, this charming coffee shop brought to Milan coffee scents and flavours from all over the world. As of today, the authenticity of the place remains and Hodeidah name has also become a reference in what concerns delicious chocolates and biscuits. An unmissable gem in Sempione area.
Torrefazione Hodeidah
@elena.pivetta.jpg
(5) Porta Genova
South of Magenta, this is Milan’s former industrial district and includes the areas of Parco Solari, Zona Tortona and Navigli. Today, some of the streets in this area have been populated by young artists, stylish concept stores and trendy eateries. When visiting, strolling along Via Tortona, Via Savona and Via Vigevano will prove to be your best option. For nightlife joy, there are some interesting restaurants, bars and nightclubs along Ripa di Porta Ticinese that deserve a visit.
Stay in a
“Perfume Hotel”
Under the motto of “The Essence of Living”, the super modern, eco-friendly Hotel Magna Pars, located steps away from Via Tortona, offers a quite distinct experience when compared to all other Milan hotels. In here, each of the 39 spacious suites are assigned with a fragrance theme and feature serene views over a beautifully appointed internal garden. Have you ever heard of an “Olfactory Library”? Well, at this sui generis Milan hotel you will.
Hotel Magna Pars
@giorginapictures
Go for a Night Out
in Happening Navigli
Visiting Milan with your better half? For a romantic night out in the city, head to bustling Navigli area, where some of the trendiest bars and clubs are located. One of our favourite places, the intimate Mag Café, is the ideal place to go and have a few drinks. While there, ask for the door that leads to the super-secretive Club 1930. Should luck be on your side, you shall be granted an entry and get access to one of Milan’s best kept secrets. Other nearby bars worth exploring are the Rita & Cocktails, Pinch Spirits & Kitchen (great burgers) and Cape Town Café.
Mag Café
@valerio_vak
A Milan Hotel
with a Canal View
Looking for a great hotel to stay in Milan without breaking the bank? Consider Maison Borella, an elegant four-star hotel with a canal view that, for a moment, will make you feel like being in Venice. One of our preferred features about this small boutique hotel is the quiet patio garden where a fabulous breakfast is served every morning. Not fulfilling enough? Head to Macelleria Masseroni on Via Corsico 2 and grab one of those divine Carni Piemontesi sandwiches. Yummy!
Maison Borella
@francescaolivieri76
Also worth Visiting
while Staying in Milan…
Above we have listed our top 5 areas to stay in Milan. With that in mind, and if you still have some extra time to spare, we recommend dedicating your attention to two areas in particular: Porta Nuova and Porta Romana.
Porta Nuova
A business district, this is where Milan’s new face has been emerging over the past few years and where some of the city’s most spectacular skylines can be found, including the needle-resembling Unicredit Tower and the Bosco Verticale residential towers showcased at the beginning of this article. The area is brimming with restaurants, particularly around Porta Garibaldi (Eataly, dedicated to promoting Italian food, is one of the worth-considering options).
Porta Romana
More a residential area than a place that attracts foreign visitors, Porta Romana is essentially known for being the address of two of Milan’s most reputable universities: Bocconi and University of Studies of Milan. Should you wish to explore this area, Corso Lodi and the neighbouring streets would prove to be the best option - remember to stop by at number 15 to taste the delicacies served at Marlà, one of the finest pastry shops around.
Stay with a View at
these Milan Hotels…
